Sedan, convertible, express - help a newbie out

one wolf · Post by **one wolf** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 8:09 pm

What's the difference in these basic terms?

Sedan
Convertible
Cruiser
Express
Others?

Thanks in advance for the clarification on these basic terms that no doubt reveal my ignorance.

I am only beginning to educate myself on this world - I have always been a sailor, and probably always will be. But I am drawn to the apparent value of some of these old Trojans that quite frankly have beautiful lines and enviable living space... Whether or not I'll ever pull the trigger on a power boat, I'm not sure yet, but I think if I do it would be a Trojan.

In any case, I have been enjoying reading this forum for the last couple of months.

TC · Post by TC » Wed Jun 17, 2009 9:44 pm

One Wolf
You have picked a great topic. As I'm sure you'll see as this unfolds.

Each one of the names describes a style of boat, but various manufactures can use different names to describe the same style of boat. How's that for a political answer. For example, I have heard a Trojan F-32 refered to as a Sedan. Carver make a similar size/style of boat and call it a Convertible. A Cruiser can mean a boat of any size that is a live on. An Express is usually a boat with a convertible top. Then they throw two words together to complicate the issue. I use to own a 25' Thundercraft that was called an Express Cruiser. So why wasn't it called an Express Convertible, or an Convertible Cruiser?

I don't think there is anything etched in stone, but it'll be interesting to read others thoughts.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:27 pm

Express is open = no A/C salon (actually saloon is proper terminology - lets get this wound up for a good thread).

I believe ( I haven't Yahoo'd the answer yet) the Sedan has a saloon, ut may or may not have a flybridge.

A Convertible is Sedan Flybridge sport fisherman (open rear cockpit). BUT you can have Sedan Flybridge Cruiser - which I think means it has quarters below deck mid ship or in the rear.

Interesting - My wife went to the Salon and got her hair done, so we're going out to a Saloon to discuss further ...

Cheers ...

guglielmo6160 · Post by **guglielmo6160** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:28 pm

ok, so whats my F31 ? I call it a flybridge cruiser,,,is that accurate?

one wolf · Post by **one wolf** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:30 pm

Thanks for the reply. Nothing is easy is it!

I'm happy to limit the discussion to how they are used to differentiate Trojan styles specifically. I think I already read somewhere that the F32 Express was an extended cockpit version with less cabin space and that they didn't sell many (I want to say like 10% of all sold were Express). But I am curious, for example, what is the difference between an F32 Sedan and F32 Convertible?

one wolf · Post by **one wolf** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:40 pm

Aha - I found this:

http://www.trojanownersclub.com/reports ... torial.pdf

Of the three models offered, the F32 Sedan (model # 321) was overwhelmingly more popular in the F32 Express (model #320). Only about 20 percent were ordered with the long cockpit and diminished house area of the Express. And only two-or three dozen of the F32 Sports Fishermen (model #322) were sold, according to Ressler.

So it would seem to me that at least as far as the F32, we have:

Model #320: F32 Express. Long cockpit, smaller cabin. 20% of F32s.
Model #321: F32 Sedan. The popular and most common one.
Model #322: F32 Sports Fisherman: only 2-3 dozen sold.

Interesting. And no "Convertible" so I would guess that people that call their F32 a Convertible really have the #321.

What exactly is the convertible component of a boat that would lead one to call it a convertible I wonder? Fly bridge that comes off? Soft top seems unlikely, as anybody can add a bimini soft top that goes up and down. Could be something as stupid as the convertible dinette I guess but that seems unlikely also since they all have that I think.

Marketers - gotta love 'em.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Wed Jun 17, 2009 10:45 pm

"One Wolf" - is that you in the corner of the Saloon over there?

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:23 am

"What exactly is the convertible component of a boat that would lead one to call it a convertible I wonder? Fly bridge that comes off? Soft top seems unlikely, as anybody can add a bimini soft top that goes up and down. Could be something as stupid as the convertible dinette I guess but that seems unlikely also since they all have that I think."

"Convertible" means the vessel can convert to sleep, 4, 6 or however many people the vessel is designed to sleep and accomodate in comfort.

rossjo · Post by **rossjo** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:31 am

Striperman is dead on ...

Jerry · Post by **Jerry** » Thu Jun 18, 2009 10:07 am

I have also heard the term ''Convertible'' used to describe a boat that you can fish and also overnight on.

1967 seavoyager · Post by **1967 seavoyager** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:20 am

Actually your F-31 would be a " Flying Bridge Express". A Flybridge would be something a fly would walk across to bother someone else. just thought I'd clarify that & start some trouble at the same time.

reelfishin · Post by **reelfishin** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:10 pm

By what you all are saying then, our boat is a Trojan International, Convertable, Express. No matter what you may call it, it still is a great boat.

one wolf · Post by **one wolf** » Mon Jun 22, 2009 10:15 pm

I wonder what's unique about the Sports Fisherman.