New Member 30' Trojan Sea Raider Re-Powered?

[Trojan Dave]

Hello All,

Just purchased a 30' Trojan Sea Raider. I am new to Trojan and have a couple of questions that some others may be able to help me with.

The boat has a single screw direct drive 280. I assume that this is a 280hp Chrysler big-block. How can I tell if it's a 383 or 400 cid?

The aft deck has two access hatches. I am assuming that this has been re-powered with a single screw. Does this sound right or did Trojan use the identicle aft deck for all models?

I have looked and read many posts and am still confused about whether I now own a F30 Sea Raider / 30' Sea Raider Express / or 30' Sea Raider Hard top. It does have a hard top, but I am unsure as to what the correct model is.

She has a fiberglass hull and teak for and aft deck.. the foredeck needs some refinishing and possibly some repair. I have checked for "spungy" areas and everything appears good, but I still have to give her a better look. I am quite handy at woodworking and have made canoes and such in the past, so I am confident that anything that needs repairing in the wood department that I can handle - with a bit of luck and alot of effort!

Many thanxs,
Dave

[Moderator]

Welcome To the Site

[prowlersfish]

Welcome to the fourms . if you have a Sea Raider you don't have a F30 . the F30 was glass top and bottom . Can you post a Photo ?

[Trojan Dave]

I will post a photo - once I figure out how???

OK.. thanks for that.... it does have a wooden deck and fiberglass hull.

Dave[/img]

[captainmaniac]

Congratulations on the purchase!

Wood deck and glass hull - its one of the older ones. Very early 70's. The '280' is horsepower, and it will be a 383 like my father's old 28' woodie from 1969 had.

I had thought all the 30's were twin engine, but I could be wrong. If it has been repowered, you should be able to see where holes from the old shaft and rudder stuffing boxes have been filled. Also, it should be pretty obvious from the dash (dual sets of gauges / throttles / gear shifts or holes from where the old used to be) - unless the dash has been completely rebuilt... Plus if it has 2 or more fuel tanks it probably started out as a twin.

I think the 'Express' designation simply meant it was not a 'Sedan'.... ie express means open cockpit. You can have an express with either hard top, or soft top. In '69 they made versions of the 'Express' in 25, 26, 28, and 31' lengths. Into the early 70s I think the 31 became a 30...

Places to look for problems up front : around the forward hatch, window channels for the side cabin windows, the front cabin windows themselves, and the deck around the corners of the front window framing. Poke your head in the anchor locker via the access hatch at the front of the v-berth and take a good look / poke around from underneath as well.

[rickalan35]

Hi Trojan Dave,

I could be wrong but I think the first year of the 30 foot Sea Raider was 1972. In that year they continued manufacturing the 25 foot Sea Raider model too.
In regard to whether it came with dual or single engines - apparently it came in both configurations - please see below: (from Iboats/Trojan Yachts

1972 30 Sea Raider

This inboard cruiser has a fiberglass hull, is 30 feet long and 132 inches wide at the widest point. The boat weighs approximately 8100 pounds with an empty fuel tank and without any gear or passengers.

Information on this page is provided to you as a free service of iboats.com. Because this information has come from many sources we can not guarantee its accuracy. Even if this information is the same as the original factory specs, boats are sometimes modified. Thus, for safety and other reasons, it is a good idea to verify information here to make sure it matches up with your boat. For additional information, we recommend the iboats forums and a boating safety course.
Engine Information:
This boat may have come with the following or other engines :
(In the interest of safety, never exceed the manufacturer's maximum horsepower rating for your boat.)
430 hp with 2 engines ( 215 hp per engine)
450 hp with 2 engines ( 225 hp per engine)
270 hp
280 hp

[k9th]

Welcome to the forum and enjoy your new purchase.

[Trojan Dave]

OK All.

If I did this correctly, follow the link below and you should see some pics of our new boat.

Any insight?

http://home.cogeco.ca/~hotrods/trojan.html

thanxs,
Dave

[jon_e_quest]

T Dave:

I believe the Model 309 30' Sea Raider was introduced in 1970. It was offered in both single and twin inboard form. Most twins got 225HP Chrysler 318's. And depending on the model year, singles got a Chrysler 'B' family big block of either 383 or 400 cu. in. displacement. Both the M383 and M400 were offered in 280hp form. Chrysler increased the 383's bore in 1972 in response to recently mandated automobile emission controls. But you can Google 'Chrysler Casting Numbers' to verify. The casting number can be found on the left side of the block.

Here's one link: http://www.stockmopar.com/mopar-engine- ... mbers.html

Most sites list 'known' casting numbers, but none seems to be complete.

[Trojan Dave]

Thanks for that jon-e. Good to know. I will check it out when I get her home.

Really looking forward to driving her home this weekend...hope all goes well.

Dave

[Empty Wallet]

I have a 1970 trojan sea raider express cruiser
glass hull wood top
It has a single chevy 350 small block
it was an option vs twin Chrysler 318's
So it was probably not re powered.
let me know if you have any more questions

[jddens]

Welcome Trojan Dave. I have a 1972 30 foot Sea Raider with fly bridge. Glass hull, wood from there up. You can see from my Avatar that is looks just like yours but with a fly bridge. Mine is twin engine and the previous owner re-powered with 330 hp FI mercs. He also replace the forward teak deck and glassed it over. You won't be disappointed, I have had this boat for 3 years and love it.........John

[Trojan Dave]

Thanks to all who replied.

John - very nice!

We had our maiden voyage bringing her home this past weekend. A few gremlins but nothing toooo serious. Really like the look and layout. Very comfortable compared to our old aft cabin Doral 24'. My wife and I are already talking about a couple of trips for next year.

I'd like to get the gremlins eradicated quickly! One is gone (electrical - no charge issue), but the other I am still working on - overheating over 1200 rpm's...impellers I think...

I have had a thorough check throughout the boat and the wood is in great shape - other than cosmetics on the forward deck . all else checks out A-OK..

Love the hardtop!

Dave

[Allen Sr]

You may have better luck on a computer forum then a boating one

You forgot one comment, 'HERE'S YOUR SIGN'

[alexander38]

It's to early in the yr to call but I bet that wins dumba** of the yr.