Trojan Boat Forum

Hello! I have been searching the market for months for a boat to purchase for pleasure/liveaboard purposes and am just now starting to consider wood after seeing several beautiful woodies this weekend. I found this boat not too far from me but really have no clue about wood boats. Does this look like a decent boat? Is the price about right? Any other tips on a getting involved with a woodie? Thanks!

Here is the listing:
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... d=963&url=

I don't know where you're located, but in our yard we have a 42' voyager that is almost free for the asking. If I had the space to store and work on it, I'd take her myself. They are wonderful boats for living on. You're not going to go anywhere fast or cheaply in them with 454's. Boats that size should have diesels. Our 10 meter International with a 13' beam burns 1.7 gallons a mile and has a top speed of 19 knots.

I am in Portland, OR. I would love to have diesel's but the reality is I can't afford to buy into a diesel boat as they are priced much higher than gas. I really doubt the boat will be going for any long cruises anyways. I would like to just take it a few miles up river on the weekends to get away from the dock.

Does anyone know of any resources for learning about care and general knowledge of wood boats? I would like to learn as much as possible before making a solid decision.

I'm in the Longview yacht club and spend a lot of time on the Columbia River. I've boated and fished here all my life between Ilwaco/Astoria and Portland, Neah Bay, off the Washington, Oregon and Canada coast I've restored several wooden boats in the past, a 1963 16' Tollycraft daycruiser, a 1959 19' Tollycraft cabincruiser, a 1962 26' Tollycraft Expresscruiser, a 1965 35' ChrisCraft SeaSkiff lapstrake, a 1966 25' ChrisCraft Cavalier and several other smaller boats and the one thing that I have learned about wooden boats is that there is no end to working on and maintaining the wood just above the waterline. If one plank is bad that means there are more right behind it. First, GET A SURVEY. There are a lot of boats here in the Northwest, don't hurry, but check the companies history of each boat you look at. However, Trojan boats have always had excellent construction as do many others but be confident in the current survey of the one you want. As with any boat, fiberglass or wood, moisture takes a tole on all systems. The question is "when". A survey will show you some of the hidden problems. Also, use a surveyer that is not associated with the seller. And don't be afraid to offer 60% of the asking price. Just some thoughts, Hope this helps.... One more thing, do you want to buy a job or a boat? I own a fiberglass boat because I wanted to spend less time working on and more time using. There is always something to work on even with a fiberglass boat. but thats just me. Good luck in your indever.

Thank you for the good information. I have been looking at fiberglass boats mainly but when it comes down to it I am having a hard time finding what I want for what I want to pay. Some of these boats are so heavily neglected, and oxidized that it would take a miracle to bring them back to life. I have narrowed my search down to boats 40+ up but just recently started looking at the option of a wood boat. I saw some very nice Chris Craft's on the water yesterday and personally would love to own a boat that would turn heads when done and something I can be proud of. I do work 50 hour work weeks and my spare time is going to be spent on the boat. It will be moored in an open slip but I may rent a covered slip during the winter months. I suppose if I can learn and make the repairs myself for reasonable costs it may be worth it. How do wood boats fare the elements being outside?

Lots of paint and caulking and sealer and bright work(spar varnish or ?) and sanding and paint and sanding and bright work and varnish and paint and caulking and ..did I say paint and varnish? ..oh and sanding... lots of sanding, every spring and summer or should I say all spring and summer. And stuffing corking between the planks is great fun, and when you finally put the boat back in the water it leaks like a siv until everything swells up and seals itself. After manning the bilge pumps that time you may therapy. Actually, it's not that bad if you love wood boats. But to keep a show quality boat is a big job. A labor of love. If you get a chance to go up to the sound, all the way from Olympia to Bellingham, there are literally hundreds of thousands of boats to look at and thousands are in your price range. But it does take a lot of leg work because the best buys are usually hidden in marinas like those around Sauvie Island, Scappoose, Saint Helens, Kalama and countless marinas up north, the options and choices are endless. I have helped several friends find boats and they have all been found in private marinas. After looking at a Trojan F-32 in Portland, I found my F-32 in Tacoma for less money including the lowboy trucking. A co-worker liked my boat so much he wanted one of his own so I found him an 84 F-32 with new motors at Rocky Point Marina. He got it for $12,500 and drove it down the river to Longview. Another friend found a twin diesel 30' Glen-L for $4,500. Painted it up and sold it a few months later for $14,500. After that I found him a 89 25' Grady White with twin 225hp for $10,000, a $40,000 fishing boat. All buyers and sellers were happy. They are out there if you can be patient and do the leg work.

It is kind of funny that you mention that they are hidden. When I was up in Anacortes last weekend looking at boats there was a lone F-44 with a for sale sign in the window and no other information. Five minutes ago I got a call back from the gentleman and I may have found my next boat. Doing the research on the F-44 now and it sounded like a very nice boat for the price and maintained well.

F-44's are big beautiful boats with great lines. Hope it turns out to be what you're looking for. Keep us posted as to your progress and would love to see some pictures. Good luck.

Looks VERY similar to my F-44. They are great boats and are great to just go up river and get away on the water.
We go out every weekend just outside the marina into Econo. Cove across the water from the marina and we love it.
Mine has twin Chrysler 440's. My tanks last 3 years as long as I just cruise under 2000 rpms to the cove and back.
That looks like a cheap price in my area, but then again I've seen F-44's for $125000 up north. Just depends on the water way i suppose. Mine was listed for $85000 and there was another here on the same lake for $89000 that is still for sale. I think you are getting a steal. You can't buy that much boat for that little money anywhere. It looks like it has been VERY well taken care of as well.
Go for it and then post up on the board and let us know how you love it.

I would recommend very strongly against buying a woody as a first boat, especially one that size. Unless you already have some rudimentary mechanical skills or woodworking skills there is a high likelihood of disaster. They certainly can be a achingly beautiful when well maintained, but unless you have an unlimited budget, or are retired [with those above skills] it would be very difficult to maintain the vessel in the condition that you would like to, [and that it deserves]. If this is your first boat, would recommend 32 to 36 feet [preferably 32], fiberglass given your indicated usage. Some of the Trojans have some beautiful woodwork, but a fiberglass hull and top sides is much less of a headache. [Having said that, I just spent 7,000 on blister repairs]. I work a lot of hours as well, do have some rudimentary mechanical and woodworking skills, and still seem to always be two projects behind. good luck with what ever you decide, don't buy on impulse, be prepared to walk away, and always always always have the boat surveyed [even with that you'll be in for a surprise or two]

Thanks guys! I am still waiting for the owner to get back to me. He is supposed to get some pics. I recently walked away from a deal on a real nice Uniflite after I researched the DD 8.2's it had for engines and discovered they were disasters waiting to happen. I sat down a few days ago at a bookstore and went through a book about brightwork and that alone made me want to stay clear of a full wood boat. Just too much work for me. I do have lots of boating experience and am a service manager at boat shop so I can do just about everything except diesel overhauls and fiberglass repairs. I will post the pics of the Trojan up when I get them.

Hey WES,
If that boat is free, I will come and get it tomorrow.