I have a 1972 Trojan F31 in Dahlgren, VA. I bought it on Ebay from a donation organization for about $5500. It was in the Baltimore Inner Harbour where someone had been using it for a floating weekend retreat. I don't think it had been run for about 3 or 4 years. Long story short, I got it running and drove it the 150 miles or so up the Potomac to Dahlgren. I've spent a little time restoring it, mostly mechanical stuff, but not nearly enough. I like the boat a lot but I have three boats and need to get rid of two of them. I just don't have time to work on all of them. I really like restoring boats, maybe as much as actually using them!
One of my other boats is a 29ft Chris Craft Catalina Sportsman(?) where a prior restorer tore off the entire top, put new marine plywood down, then a cabin top from a Broadwater, and a flybridge on top of that. It's a pretty good setup and has a single Chrysler 440 in it which will move the boat at a good 30mph (when it's in the water). I have it drydocked in Fairview Beach. I'm tempted to keep that one because of the good, solid decks and single engine (rebuilt a lot of it), with new Edelbrock carb, and electronic distributor. It only burns about 8 gals/hr.
So my dilemma is which one to sell? Well, I like the Trojan because it's bigger, has two engines (in case one quits), and is much further along as far as being comfortable to overnight on .. but it burns about 14 gals/hr. I like the Chris Craft because it has good solid decks and the engine is in really good condition with rebuilt heads and the stuff I mentioned above, and freshly painted engine. Actually the engine compartment is the best looking part of the boat. Again, the single engine which gets good gas mileage. They're both almost exactly the same layout, forward V-berth, convertible dinette, couch which makes into twin single bunks, but the Chris Craft has a single aft berth also.
Ok, I don't know what point I'm trying to make with my large posting. Maybe just to shout out and connect with other boat restorers. Maybe to try to get a little more incentive to get up off my couch and get to work on these boats, and maybe just to say hello!
I have had a fair amount of experience restoring cars and boats, including the engines and other mechanical issues, searching for parts, substituting parts, and just making do. If anyone has any questions I'll be happy to chime in when I know what I'm talking about.
Rojayva
