1973 Trojan 31'

Super Dave · Post by **Super Dave** » Wed Aug 11, 2010 10:46 pm

Hi All

New member, Trojan lover. This will actually be my first boat and a fella in Squamish BC Canada about 2 hour cruise from where I am in Campbell River on Vancouver Island, wants to sell me his 1973 Trojan FB 31' for $1000. Apparently and I haven't actually seen the boat yet its running and is in pretty good shape at least for a 1000 dollar boat. Anybody care to talk me out of it?

Thanks
Super Dave

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Aug 11, 2010 10:48 pm

don't expect much for a 1000 bucks

Super Dave · Post by **Super Dave** » Wed Aug 11, 2010 10:59 pm

Hey Paul,

You of all people should agree..."U Never Know"

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:03 pm

All of us agree ? never happen .

Super Dave · Post by **Super Dave** » Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:43 pm

Anybody perhaps with a little more constructive comments.
I understand that almost all of it will need to be replaced, is there anything that is not fixable I should look out for

ready123 · Post by **ready123** » Wed Aug 11, 2010 11:57 pm

Super Dave wrote:Anybody perhaps with a little more constructive comments.
I understand that almost all of it will need to be replaced, is there anything that is not fixable I should look out for

If that is in fact correct then go look for one that does not need all of it to be replaced and you will be ahead financially.
There is likely a reason it is $1000 and that is that it needs many more times that in $$ spent on it. Look at it then have an experienced surveyor check it out.... then you will know what you have to undertake to fix it. The engines tend to be the low area of maintenance costs.......

Tough to be any more constructive when all you have is a model, year and price without any description of the state of it....
Take along a plastic mallet and tap the decks... any dull sounds suggest wet and $$ to be spent. You want to hear a sharp ping sound...

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Thu Aug 12, 2010 5:18 am

First of all, welcome to the forum.

It all depends on what you are looking for and why the seller is asking only $1,000. If you are looking for a project boat then it may be just exactly what you want. If you are looking to buy a boat, jump aboard, flip the switches, and never look back, you may be sadly disappointed. If he has unusual motivation to sell for whatever reason, you may be getting a great deal.

Until you learn more it is hard to give helpful advice. If you could get some pics and actually see the boat to tell us what condition she is in we might be able to help a little more.

A survey would be a must from my viewpoint.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Thu Aug 12, 2010 6:42 am

Super Dave wrote:Anybody perhaps with a little more constructive comments.
I understand that almost all of it will need to be replaced, is there anything that is not fixable I should look out for

Hard to give any constructive comments with no info on the boat. I would expect at $1000 it will need some if not a lot of work. (and $$$$) . but I know nothing about the boat your looking at with out more info . you say" I understand that almost all of it will need to be replaced"
all of what ??? . you can hire a survey or at least find someone to look at it that knows about boats. the F31 can be a good boat but it like any other boat can be a pile of junk if not taken care of

Rodman · Post by **Rodman** » Thu Aug 12, 2010 9:34 am

I got lucky on mine. As you all know I paid 1,500 but the guy had to get it out his yard cause he sold his house. But I can say I had put about 500.00 in it. BUT its nice boat now.

sehord · Post by **sehord** » Thu Aug 12, 2010 12:49 pm

cut me a check for $500 and I'll come over and hit you in the head with a hammer and you'll be much better off....! Just joking... good luck, look her over Real well, Soft spots are a major issue... mechanical things are fairly easy, but glass and wiring will drive you nuts

Super Dave · Post by **Super Dave** » Thu Aug 12, 2010 1:34 pm

Hi All,

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am waiting on pictures of the boat and will post when they arrive. Here is what I do know at least according to the owner. The engines are running fine, need tune up and distributor cap on starboard engine and new batteries. Engines are 318 mercs. Not sure how many hours on the rebuild. A local mechanic there says he will tune up and replace the batteries with 1000 something??? and the distributor cap and rotor for $500. Last survey 2003. Hull is fiberglass no leak problems there however there is a leak issue with pilot station window, not leaking onto electronics but into the cabin area. He had the boat for sale a week ago for $5000 but dropped the price to $1000 because of the engine tune up and the desire to get the boat GONE. He is moving to the East Coast within the next 8-12 months. Boat is in the water and was used a recently as 2 weeks ago

A little more info still to come

Thanks Guys
Super Dave

Super Dave · Post by **Super Dave** » Thu Aug 12, 2010 1:42 pm

Hey again,

To clarify and not having seen the boat when I say it all needs to be replaced I am only assuming that considering the price. I am thinking of a slow project but I want to use the boat as I update what needs to be.

Cheers
Super Dave

sehord · Post by **sehord** » Thu Aug 12, 2010 1:43 pm

hmmmmm distributor cap and rotor replacement takes about 10 minutes and about $35 per side... unless your doing plug wires and plugs etc..... I can't say for sure on the boat, but the mechanic is taking you for a ride for sure for $500. That works out to about $400.+ per hour....

sehord · Post by **sehord** » Thu Aug 12, 2010 1:44 pm

get a copy of that 2003 survey if you can....

Super Dave · Post by **Super Dave** » Thu Aug 12, 2010 1:46 pm

The $500 includes tune up on both engines and the distributor job plus two batteries. He says 1000 something not sure what he meant????