Trojan Boat Forum

Hi guys, I'm new to the wooden boats and am thinking of buying this 42 footer. So here's the list; rear bilge is kicking on every 15 minutes and prob running 1 to 2 min, boat smells like mildew and has mold on carpet, I put my hand on the inside of the hull in the engine compartment thinking it had some kind of epoxy on it sense it was shinny.... it was wet, owner says it needs to be re caulked and painted because it hasn't been out in 4 and a half years, some spots in the teak deck are sunken and the owner just filled these spots with a clear poly. So, how hard is it to repair decking and this sounds more serious the caulking and paint to me.... what kind of bill could I be looking at? What if its been leaking for years? Is it possible to cover hull in fiberglass? Thanks in advance guys, sorry for so many questions all at once.

hey there, you've effeminately looking at a project there, all i can say is good luck as i never owned a wooden but i do know that they are effeminately not cheap on the maintenance side, and yes you can cover the boat in glass...gona run you a definite penny thou

Sounds like it may need some major work . You need to get a survey before buying this boat . It won't be cheap and you need to find one that knows wooden boats . It could cost 600-1000 bucks plus haul out. But thats nothing compared to what you may send fixing it .


Covering it with glass can make matters worse if not done right. And the problems with the hull need to be fixed regardless not just covered up

Survey Survey Survey. Find someone who knows wooden boats. Pick their brain about the deficiencies, and what it will cost to repair, or what it will take to repair should you be handy. IMO, a wooden hull should not be covered in fiberglass for long term ownership. It will trap water inside and eventually accelerate rotting but you won't know it as it will be covered in glass.

You say the boat has not been in the water for 4 or 5 years. I know we have an old wooden boat at our club, and it leaks like a sieve every spring for a couple of days until the seams swell and seal it. This is normal with wooden boats.

Wooden boats are tricky, my may concern would be to make sure there is no "rotten" wood in the hull.

As prowlerfish, and Big D have just said, a survey would well be worth it, you may be looking at a gem of a steal, or you could be looking at a steal of your wallet.

I got the impression it has't been out of the water for 4 and a half years. Could be wrong though.

The bottom was probably not Slick Seamed properly. About 8 cans should do it. Use a putty knife not your finger. Don't cheap out & use a toilet ring,it won't work good. The decks are another matter, they're Teak bonded to plywood. If the boat has been neglected you'll have to take down the headliner, cut out the plywood, & west system in new plywood.

Torcan wrote:You say the boat has not been in the water for 4 or 5 years. I know we have an old wooden boat at our club, and it leaks like a sieve every spring for a couple of days until the seams swell and seal it. This is normal with wooden boats.

Wooden boats are tricky, my may concern would be to make sure there is no "rotten" wood in the hull.

As prowlerfish, and Big D have just said, a survey would well be worth it, you may be looking at a gem of a steal, or you could be looking at a steal of your wallet.

Thanks for all the quick replys guys. The actually boat hasn't been out of the water for 4 and a half years. I have read online that fresh water boats should be hauled out once a year for bottom paint(not sure if thats acuarate)

oops.. reply at same time as OP
question answered.

murray1886 wrote:
Thanks for all the quick replys guys. The actually boat hasn't been out of the water for 4 and a half years. I have read online that fresh water boats should be hauled out once a year for bottom paint(not sure if thats acuarate)

At least to verify no damage and quick repairs, caulking and repainting. But not just repainting over old paint, the build-up would be horrendous.

murray1886 wrote:......I have read online that fresh water boats should be hauled out once a year for bottom paint(not sure if thats acuarate)

I wouldn't say that. Depends on many factors. Coating, climate, water conditions, type of boating etc etc.

engines are two 427s with 1600hrs. The current owner tells me he never takes them over half throttle and the do seem to run well(no smoke,little blow bye) is this a lot of hours on a boat this size?

Can't really go by hours, maintenance history is more important. I don't like it when folks say they baby engines, makes me worry more that way. These engines like to be worked. You may also want to consider that marine parts for those engines, especially the counter rotator are very difficult to find now.

Sorry, can you tell us more about the engines? I may have jumped the gun here on parts availability.

by the way, you guys are sure are sharp. I've been looking for answers on the web for hours.... here I get them in minutes many thanks.

Big D wrote:Can't really go by hours, maintenance history is more important. I don't like it when folks say they baby engines, makes me worry more that way. These engines like to be worked. You may also want to consider that marine parts for those engines, especially the counter rotator are very difficult to find now.

Sorry, can you tell us more about the engines? I may have jumped the gun here on parts availability.

427 Chevy. If your talking about distributor rotor, I think its the same as a 454