Trojan Boat Forum

Hello all, we're new here having just got our first Trojan about three hours ago.
I need to identify it and more importantly get some vital statistics involved in the first challenge we're going to face with the boat.

We simply know it is 29' and hails from 1962.

Here's a photo (there're more in our Flickr set):



The most important thing I need right now is its weight. I have to devise a way to lift it off of its trailer which, unfortunately was not included with the bargain.

Does anyone think they can help?

That's a 25 ' Sea Raider. Fiberglass hull / wood superstructure. It's at Least a 71 or 2. In 62 Trojan only made wood.

Thanks, any way to tell for certain what year it is?

You may find hull number on the transom (don't know if they were stamping them back in the early 70s) - it will look like the VIN on a car. I think the year is given by the last 2 digits. In any event, if you can find the number, post here and I am sure someone can help decode.

How far is the nearest water? The safest (and easiest) way to get her off the trailer is to launch and float her off, then hire a professional boat mover with a hydraulic trailer (as shown here http://www.brownellboattrailers.com/trailers/onroad.htm) to bring her back home and set her on keel blocks and jackstands. The trailers used by profesional boat movers have hydraulic cylinders to raise and lower the whole rig allowing the boat to be set on keel blocks. After setting the boat on keel blocks, and putting a pair of jackstands at the transom for side to side stability, the trailer's removable cross members are taken out, and the trailer can be pulled out from under the boat. The final step is to add another set of forward jackstands.

I strongly advise against trying to raise her up with jacks and blocks, then pulling the trailer fwd, a few feet at a time, juggling blocks and stands around the trailer cross members. This is DANGEROUS business. I wouldn't be climbing around between the trailer and the boat juggling jackstands and blocks. I've done it before with much smaller/lighter boats, and it's a very scary experience when something moves unexpectedly.

I store my boat at home, which is about 2 miles from a launch ramp, and it costs me $9 per foot for professional launching / hauling which is $234 for my F-26. If you have to travel farther, there will be a milage charge. I'll bet you are not going to find a safe way to lift her off the trailer for less than that.
Good Luck,
Chuck

I live just down the street form a marina, ramp and storage yard. One problem is that there are two holes drilled into the transom that would need to be plugged but I suppose I can stick a large cork of something in there.

My other problem is time, I'll find out tommorow if I can keep the trailer for another week while I figure this out but I was supposed to take the trailer back tommorow afternoon.

I may just break down and put the thing in the hard storage yard. I think it was $359 for three months, I just didn't have that much up front. Maybe three months will be enough time to build the trailer.

You could probably do a quick temporary plug with a bolt and some 3M 5200.

I just went through loading and unloading my F-26 using the block and jack method and it is one of the scariest things I have done. I took it off and put it back on the trailer and I wont ever do it again.

I just plain don't like towing the thing... once that stern is patched it'll go back in the water and I'll power it wherever it needs to go.

It's a damn 25' ft. Trojan Sea Raider. I know because I'm damn near to completion of restoring mine and you are the first one I've ever seen to have another one....Good Luck brother... LOL... It's a damn fine boat....Looks like you got about 25,000 to go and she'll be ready to raid the sea! burnettejw@yahoo.com is my email address. You'll be needing it.

John

It's a 74... Probably has a Ford Mercruise 302 w/351 Windsor heads.

Interestingly enough I just got the title to it today and it lists a third year. The title says it's a '69 and indicates a Chrysler 225 I'll have to pop down to the yard tonight and investigate.

Hull number is 2109143.

I'm more inclined to believe you lot than DGIF but I can't believe someone would have it that wrong.

Couldn't be a prototype could it?

its a 74 sea raider

maybe it is a 72 now that i saw the rest of the pics... not much difference.. just the exhaust output

I know at this point it has to be pre-November '72. Anything after that date would have a different style HIN.

I'm going to try and work out the possibilities from that using the iBoats data.

Confirmed data:
-- Wood core fiberglass hull
-- Wood superstructure
-- 25' LOA
-- Pre November 1, 1972

Unconfirmed data:
-- 225 HP Chrysler Motor LH318BWL0322 (LM318BWL0322??)
-- 1969 (From Title)
-- HIN 2109143

Some other information:
-- There is a badge on each side of the boat that resembles the 1960 and 1966-69 badges shown on the TrojanBoats Home Page
-- The decks are vinyl over ply

The only 25' boat iBoats lists is the 25' Express. Problem is they also list the 25' as having a wood hull and being powered by 190/200 HP motor. I can't find any photos either.