New Trojan Owner

Drafter · Post by **Drafter** » Tue May 13, 2014 2:54 pm

Hello everybody. Just scored a new to me 85 10 Meter Sedan with 368 hours on the Crusader's and 197 on the gen. Of course the boat is a little faded and a little dated, but my wife and I plan to make it awesome. I think that this is a fantastic hull with low hour motors and a great platform to make for a really nice classic boat. I think that the lines of this boat are stunning and timeless and feel like we stole it. ($15,500) This gives us a lot of room to fix little things and trick it out a bit. The boat did come with an accredited survey done last fall and seems to be in pretty good shape with the exception of a few hopefully minor things.
I've been boating my whole life but have never had anything larger than a 23 footer, so much of this is new to me outside what I have learned from boating with a few big boater friends. So far I've enjoyed browsing around this site reading different posts to the wee hours in the morning, and it seems like there is lots of great information out there. I'm in the process of getting the boat hauled form Kansas City to Oklahoma where it will immediately get a new bottom job and hull buff before it hits the water.
If there is anyone out there with this boat willing to share some experiences with their own boat, I would love to hear from them. A private message over would be great.
Initial questions are, average fuel burn rate at cruise, top speed, what is top speed....
What kinds of improvements or updates has anyone made?
How have you installed your stereo so that it's good from the fly bridge, in the cabin and maybe a transom remote from the water. Is a home stereo in the cabin a better option?
Anybody ever installed lightweight laminate wood floors in lieu of carpet in the salon?
Anyone ever raised the v-berth platform up a bit to make it a little wider and a little longer?
I hear that most Trojan parts are available but have yet to find out where. Anybody ever replaced the gauge panel on the bridge to freshen it up from years of outdated electronic mounts and switches?
Thanks to all of you in advance and look forward to learning everything that I can about this boat on this forum.

larryeddington · Post by **larryeddington** » Tue May 13, 2014 5:29 pm

Great and good luck, this is the place for info and help with Trojan.

todd brinkerhoff · Post by **todd brinkerhoff** » Tue May 13, 2014 6:39 pm

Congrats!!! 10 Meters are great boats. One question though...You said it "came with an accredited survey." Did you get your own surveyor, or did the seller make arrangements for one? I would always recommend hiring your own. If you did not, I would still consider hiring one so you know what issues to concentrate on first. $15,000 is a good deal unless you are dealing with major issues. Of course a good survey should find most things. But other issues will pop up. The engines hours are very low for an 1985. I'm assuming it sat for awhile? I would concentrate on maintenance things first, ie impellers, filters, hoses, belts, etc. If those are good, I would check out all the thru-hull fittings to make sure they are good, and rebed if they are original.

Stereo's are pretty easy jobs. Just make sure you are not overtaxing your system with a large amp and draw. The boats were originally set-up a specific way and putting more systems and drawing more power will only leave you stranded.

Fuel economy is far from great. I would expect .5 to .6 mpg at cruise. Top speed will be high 20's. Of course each boat will be slightly different with different weight and configurations. If you have a waterlogged core (you should be a solid glass bottom) or stringers (I'm not sure if the sedans had cored stringers or not), that will make a huge impact, as well and cleanliness of your bottom. Just make sure your engines are reaching their top RPM of 4400-4500.

This forum will provide you with an incredible amount of information. Good luck with your endeavor, and let us know if we can answer any questions.

Drafter · Post by **Drafter** » Tue May 13, 2014 10:03 pm

Thanks Todd, I appreciate the info. I expect little things and probably even a few bigger ones. The hull and stringers checked had good soundings. I will go through the fluids, impellers, hoses, etc just for the peace of mind of knowing that they're fresh. New batteries, updated charger, etc. I may get a dedicated battery and charging isolator as to not tax the system with a larger stereo. I had done that on my last boat. I've got three teenage daughters and don't feel like the 1985 stock audio wonder in the wall is going to be very popular. I just need to figure out how to get it all zoned so that whatever is happening in the salon, I don't necessarily have to listen to at the helm.

BobCT · Post by **BobCT** » Wed May 14, 2014 7:40 am

I have a 10m mid cabin, same hull but no fly bridge. On the stereo, check out Fusion which has separate zones. I installed that and have Sat radio, CD and iops dock. Remote is at the helm and I just added another one on the side of the transom cut out.

I would put something very high on your list. Remove the limber hole tubes, clean them up and epoxy the visible plywood. Then reinstall tubes and re-bed with caulk (I used 4000). These are out of sight out of mind but the source for stringer rot. The factory caulk is long since shot.

Another thing I have discovered (and now fixed) are the low points where the stringers intersect each other. That's another source of water intrusion that needs to be corrected ASAP. Stand by, I'm going to post a YouTube video on both over the next couple of days...

Believe me, I was In your position five years ago and did all the fun stuff first. But protecting the stringers and deck coring should be your #1 priority.

Bob

Kiwipushrod · Post by **Kiwipushrod** » Wed May 14, 2014 9:06 am

Welcome and Congratulations.

I have just purchased the same model, and am quite happy with it. Please post more pic's.

Kiwi

Drafter · Post by **Drafter** » Wed May 14, 2014 11:40 am

Bob, thanks for the info on the Fusion system. And especially the limber holes. That is Excellent advice! Definitely something that I would not have thought of and exactly what I'm looking for! I did take a picture(attached) of the forward bilge area just to see what type of shape it was in and know exactly what you're talking about. Kiwi, I would love to hear more about your boat as well and how you like it. I've attached a few pics for you as well. It's actually me that's trying to hold off on the fun stuff (as much as possible) and focus #1 on updating safety systems then mechanical and general convenience items. My wife's concern is flooring, the velvet walls, the dinette table top and a new sectional!
Has anyone modified their master (only) stateroom for a little bigger berth? I'm only 5'-8"! Did they really only sell these $150,000 boats to single Jockey's?

Drafter · Post by **Drafter** » Wed May 14, 2014 11:50 am

A few more pics....

todd brinkerhoff · Post by **todd brinkerhoff** » Wed May 14, 2014 4:24 pm

Floors are easy. They make vinyl "teak and holly" that would look good. You can also make or buy a nice teak table top for your settee. You can also order a custom mattress that is bigger and wider. Or just buy a larger size pillow top and put it in top of the existing mattress. There are lots of posts on guys redoing walls with vinyl or veneer that have come out beautiful.