"New" Trojan Owner

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alexander38
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Post by alexander38 »

Welcome, she's a nice lookin' boat, glad to see you saved her, And when you take something on you take it on that's a trip you have ahead of yourself.
LSP
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Post by LSP »

That is one heck of a trip. Do you have a date set yet?
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Will - LSP
1976 F32 "Donegal"
1985 10 Meter "Whakanui"
Hog Pen Creek
Middle River, Md
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prowlersfish
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Post by prowlersfish »

How many miles is that trip ? How many miles is that section with out marinas ?
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
TrojanF32
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Re: Thanx, more pix & more info

Post by TrojanF32 »

GruntzenGrones wrote:Now for the fun part: She is currently docked on the Tenn-Tom waterway near Pickensville, AL and I have to get her to Little Rock on the Arkansas River. Don't know how many river miles that is, but the experienced "pilot" I have hired to help me get her here (and teach me how to operate her) estimates 6 or 7 days. The route is up the Tenn-Tom, then down the Tennessee, Ohio and Mississippi, then up the Arkansas. The scariest part is that there are no marinas between the last dam on the Tennesee and Memphis so we'll have to run on one engine and carry a couple of 55 gal drums of gas on the afterdeck to be safe.
That sounds like a long trip... have you thought of the option of taking her by road the 200 miles or so... especially as the bridge is off right now?
Of course your reason to go by water may well be to get the experience & training on the river trip and to have a fun holiday too.... rather than the cheapest way.
GruntzenGrones
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The trip:

Post by GruntzenGrones »

The trip overland is about 370 miles and, although hauling would probably be cheaper, I've heard too many horror stories about structural damages caused by hauling old boats like this. Anyway, you're right, F32, the trip will also be my training.

The total is @900 miles and the longest stretch without a marina is @ 280 miles.
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prowlersfish
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Post by prowlersfish »

Wow , that will cost a lot in fuel 3k-6k I would think depending on how hard you run . ouch !! :(
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
GruntzenGrones
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Post by GruntzenGrones »

My pilot tells me we'll be cruising at 8-10 knots and, since @640 miles will be downstream, the gas shouldn't run more than $2500. I sure hope he's right. We're planning on getting under way on the 17th or 18th of next month - weather permitting. I'm not crazy about doing it this time of year, but time is a factor.
TrojanF32
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Re: The trip:

Post by TrojanF32 »

GruntzenGrones wrote:I've heard too many horror stories about structural damages caused by hauling old boats like this.
Likely because the wrong trailer type was used...... for wooden boats what is best is a low flatbed on which the keel rests and then 3 or more curved sling supports for the hull just to keep the boat upright with all weight supported by it's keel.
Specialised boat transport companies can do this....
as you can imagine using conventional side pad support trailers can easily punch holes in the sides of wood boats.
See classic boat transport picture on this site and Chris Craft transport pictures:
http://www.ableboattransport.com/boat-t ... llery.html

Were it me I would go by road... I think you will find the fuel estimate quite low.
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Stripermann2
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Post by Stripermann2 »

Do a little research and perhaps you can schedule with some fuel suppliers and arrange a meet-up for them to deliver some fuel from their trucks.
Jamie


1985 F-32 270 Crusaders
1988 Sea Ray 23 350 Merc.
Trojan. Enjoy the ride...

-I don't wanna hear anyone whine...Anymore!
-You might get there before me, but you still have to wait for me, for the fun to start!
Peter
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Post by Peter »

welcome; will work or crew for beer.
wowzer52
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Post by wowzer52 »

Do you have any idea yet of what spares you're going to take? like belts, impellers, wooden plugs, lots of tools, etc. I'm sure all the guys here can make suggestions to help you get a good list together in time enough before you make the trip. But you must keep us posted as to your progress, pic too.
1975 F-32 "SIMPLY BLESSED"
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prowlersfish
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Post by prowlersfish »

900 miles in 6-7 days at 8-10 knots ?those are going to be some very long days . and that long section you plan on ruining on 1 engine you'll be down to 5 knots or so Has your Pilot every done anything like this be for ?

IMO you need to plan on more time and more fuel . running on 1 wont save a lot of fuel .

Not trying to be negative just want you to be ready . How much fuel will she hold ?
Boating is good for the soul
77/78 TROJAN F36 Conv.
6BTA Cummins diesels
Life is to short for a ugly boat :D
1967 seavoyager
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Post by 1967 seavoyager »

Don't sand the decks. Scrub them with a brass brush like you use on your gas grill & soap like Dawn or Comet. I like Dawn. Don't pressure wash them either. Then when they dry use a good sealer like Sikkens. Lots of coats.
They'll pry a rotten plank from my cold dead fingers before i go "Tupperware". http://www.photobucket.com/restless
seavoyager36@hotmail.com

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1967 Trojan 36' Sea Voyager Express
13footbeam
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Location: Alpena, MI

Post by 13footbeam »

Welcome, and good luck with your journey. Did the last owner run the boat much or was it a floating cottage? When they did run it did they rotate their usage of all fuel tanks? If not they may not be healthy, make sure you investigate your fuel tanks to ensure there is no crud in them, this could really cause some problems, take lots of fuel filters as well.

Pat
Love my Trojan Boat

Current Fleet:
77 36' Trojan Tri-Fly
63 25' Owens Woody
76 20' Welcraft
76 9' Whaler
80 9' Achillies dinghy (sold)
80 26' Pearson (sold)
77 13' Pintail
01 4 person paddle boat
96 Hand Made Wooden dinghy
wowzer52
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Post by wowzer52 »

Gruntzen, Prowlerfish is right. 80 to 100 miles a day is pretty good progress at those speeds and if you have any problems along the way, mechanical failures, weather, you can loose alot of time, hours, even days, and from my experience there usually is those kind of problems. Just BE PREPARED. Also those 427s eat alot of fuel. They were great engines when they were made and fuel was 37cents a gallon but BE PREPARED for the worst in performance. I personally would expect to burn approximately 8 to 10 gallons per hour at 8 to 10 knots = one mile per gallon, approx., 900 gallons X $3.50=$3,150.00, 900 mi. @ 80 mi. per day= 11.25 days. Like Pat said, don't forget to get the crud out of the bottom of the fuel tanks before you go. When you are at sea the crud will be stirred up and foul the fuel system, ie. carb. Even after you clean the crud out be sure to take along lots of extra filters and the proper tools to change them at sea or at anchor. Take lots of extra money, tools, spare parts and toilet paper. When something unexpected happens at a bad time you'll need the paper. Now for the good stuff. There is nothing like watching the world go by from the water. Seeing the sun go down while at anchor. Starting the engines at the crack of dawn and having coffee at the helm as the sun is coming up. Hearing the water passing the hull during the day in quiet isolated places. These experiences will become imbedded in your brain and become the best memories of your life. Just ask any boater. If possible, take a dingy with you just for giggles. But most of all, BE PREPARED. (I wish I was going with you) :)
1975 F-32 "SIMPLY BLESSED"
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