New Trojan Onwer

trojanmanXS · Post by **trojanmanXS** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 8:30 pm

Hello All,
I have recently aquired a boat and am in need of serious help. What I got was a 1978 Trojan f26 with a flybridge and hardtop. Have any of you ever undergone a complete "gut" job on one of these boats? I am about to take this journey and would love any input as I hopefully progress along the way.
I have searched online for pictures of this model boat with the hardtop that covers the flybridge but have yet to find one.It appears to be constructed of aluminum tubing maybe 2"dia and is all welded into one piece with a 1/2" fiberglass top. It is presently in my basement as it had to be taking off teh boat for transport but I have not seen it on the boat. Do any of you have this kind of top? I see on some of your photos a bimini in place of this top.
I will try and get some pics of this "project" as soon as it gets here and get them posted. I remember these boats when I was a kid growing up in our marina and remeber this type of vessel had a very classy , well put together look about them. I guess kids today would refer to it as "old school" I have a 16 yr old son and have heard this reference more then once.
So in short I'm glad to see so many of these boats in good condition and with some help from everyone try and salvage this one back.

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 8:37 pm

Welcome to the forum and good luck with your new project. There are several here who own an F26 & I'm sure they will be glad to help.

Post pics as soon as you can.

Torcan · Post by **Torcan** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 8:58 pm

Welcome to the forum

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:22 pm

Most F26 s did not come with a fly bridge . The ones that did did not have a hard top on the fly bridge . Your top is a custom made top . I have a hard top on my F36 and it is also custom made . I can't think of any F boat that had a hard top on the fly bridge.

Can you post a photo of the boat and one of the top ?

and Welcome to the forum !

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 10:11 pm

I have a '78 F-26 HT and have done a complete stringers up restoration on it as well as some kind of addition or upgrade every year since. Myself and several other Trojan owners on this site enjoy sharing our experience in an effort to help keep these proud vessels looking good and cruising the waters for years to come.

I agree with Paul on the fly bridge roof. You should also keep in mind that this is actually a small boat for a fly bridge and that adding extra weight above it directly affects the stability. In calm water you might not notice it but in rough water you'll understand exactly what I'm talking about.

Post some of the projects you plan on tackling.

Good luck and welcome aboard.

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trojanmanXS · Post by **trojanmanXS** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 5:40 am

well as far as some of the things I need to tackle.....rebuilding a trojan 1979 f26. sorry I checked the year and seems its a year newer then I first thought. Its coming here this afternoon so once here I'll start a list but probably finish gutting the cabin as the previosuowner had started but fizzled out.
The previous owner had taking the motor out of which I still have to go pick up. he stated that the marina where he purchased it had not properly winterized the motor and it blew out the soft plugs. His mechanic told him the motor was shot due to this not sure on that part yet.
I guess after a much needed bath my first start was in the hull checking stringers and engine mounts to ensure no rot. then plans were to degrease and clean the entire inside hull and repaint.
As for the hardtop I dont worry to much about being on it in fould weather I'm located on the st lawerence river which borders the US and Canada and have never had terrible waves here.
I do have an edge for this project one of my friends is very excited to help out and is retired. he's a mster woodworker who spends time in his shop building grandfather clocks and such as well as an electrician the other buddy runs the local canvas shop that will be rebuilding the cushions and seats for me.
One question pertainting to existing wiring, have any of you had to replace the enitre harness due to age? one buddy has said since the boats so old that the wire system is probably shot? I would hope not but figure this is the place to ask. Now I'm getting ahead of myself but is that flybridge an awsome spot to drive from? it looks massive when up there overlooking the bow of the boat.
again once Ive got the boat here I'll have a million questions and hope not bore alot of you but figure this is the best place for the advice I'll be looking to get to make this projact happen. Thanks again for the welcome .lastly worst case here if I needed a complete new turn key engine "stock " 318 what range would I be in money wise ?

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:25 am

Your wiring maybe OK . I willing to bet most most the Trojans here are running the OEM wiring . You won't be able to find a new turn key marine as the have not been made in years . you Can find reman long blocks and get new manifolds . or you can always buy a new Chevy Marine or maybe a used 318.

jddens · Post by **jddens** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:51 am

Welcome Trojanman......in response to your driving from the flybridge.....yes, it is a awesome place to drive from....I only operate from the lower helm when the weather is bad, I don't have an enclosure on my bridge, just a bimini...I almost purchased a Tollycraft with no fly bridge.....very glad the 318's both overheated on the sea trial and I backed out.....then I found my Trojan 30 foot Sea Raider...almost like having two boats with the flybridge.......John

trojanmanXS · Post by **trojanmanXS** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 1:05 pm

ok its home , you ever buy something used and only after its sitting in your driveway you noptice things you missed during the inspection? after hearing from soem of you i walked up front and yes I did notice a soft spot by the anchor area, not sinking soft but none the less a little soft. My wife and son just help me put on the hartop above the flybridge , it was very tricky as its hot and took a whole lotta muscle I havent used it years but its up there . stopped briefly for a coffee and then out to see what Ive got myself into sure to be back with loads of questions tonight . thanks for any input and will try and get some pics of this beast on by tonight

JonChristman · Post by **JonChristman** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 2:02 pm

Welcome to the Forum...where are you located?

trojanmanXS · Post by **trojanmanXS** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 3:35 pm

alright have a few questions. sorry first to ans one. I live in massena new york along the st lawerence river.

1. the soft area by the anchor, is this a repair someone has done if need be ?

2. my boat hauler blocked up the stern at both corners with cynder blocks and some 6x6 blocking, the bow had one set of blocks . should I be reinforcing the heck outa this or is this alright.

3. what is the contraption under the bathroom countertop with hoses sticcking out of it ?

4. Where does one begin with this mountain???????

alexander38 · Post by **alexander38** » Tue Jul 12, 2011 4:23 am

blocking, if I was going to be working on her I'd put and stand under both sides of her about a 1/3 ways back.. Start at the top of the mountain the engines....without those it's a dock QUEEN.....and remember workin' on a boat is fun,

foofer b · Post by **foofer b** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 6:58 am

Congratulations and welcome to the forum. I have an F26 also and mine originally had a flybridge also. I wish it still did, but I trailer mine and it sits about 11.5 feet off the road without it! Please post some pics soon.