Does your neighbor have a tricab to sell?
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2012 3:46 pm
I had another near-miss on a tricab purchase today. Just like the last one, the owner claims to have not been told by the broker that I was coming, so naturally when I interrupted their cruise (they were not at the dock, even though I called the broker on Friday and said that I was coming Saturday, then called again Saturday morning before I started my 2.5 hr drive to the boat) so the broker could show the boat, they were a bit miffed.
That bad start, likely, and the fact that the boat was just listed, resulted in my offer being declined even though it was within 19% of asking price, and not subject to additional nickel and diming -- structural issues only, no griping about loose stanchions and other minutia. It is not like the boat is in perfect condition (moist stringers under the engine beds, moist decks in places, moist superstructure under the windows -- all of them, leaking water heater, leaking port vee strut (AGAIN!, for those of you following the saga), patched canvas, engine oil leaks and oily bilge water, leaking hull to deck joint in the anchor locker, etc. And an 18" crack in the dash leading from the starboard side of the horizontal companionway hatch cut-out foward and outboard toward the windshield -- not a mere stress crack, but a genuine, all grown up crack.
The owner was also taken aback that I would actually want to INSPECT a boat that I was considering purchasing. I took my shoes off when I entered, and asked the owner if I may lift the hatches and check in the bilge, and whether there was any place he didn't want me to look (I realize people keep personal stuff on a boat and may not want a stranger going through their stuff). Their reply was "This isn't a survey, is it?" No, it wasn't. It was an effort to determine whether the boat was worth surveying. Attention sellers: It cost money for prospective buyers to have boats surveyed. If your boat is for sale, it is reasonable on their first visit to see the boat, for buyers to want to determine if they want to spend the money getting a survey.
But I digress. What I am in search of is a 1981 to 1985 Trojan Tricab. I believe those are the years that had the centerline double bed and the galley aft. I am not looking at boats. I'm not shopping for boats. I am going to buy a boat. I am a cash buyer who will respect you or your neighbor's property and your personal space as I eye your beauty. A perfect boat is not a must, but I do not want spongy decks (seen 'em), structural issues (seen 'em), or a boat that leaks so bad it smells like a mushroom farm (smelled 'em). I am willing to negotiate most other shortcomings. I prefer Crusader engines with closed cooling and strainers. A non-smoking boat is a must. Anything east of the Mississippi is a candidate. Closer to the Chesapeake is a plus. Something in the Great Lakes would be a plus too, because my family was psyched to cruise the Erie canal back to the Chesapeake on the last boat I nearly bought, until I hauled the boat for a survey and found hull cracks in unusual places. Being a mechanical engineer, nicely-done wiring and properly supported hoses with chaffing protection where they pass through bulkheads turns me on more than new carpeting.
If you are thinking about selling your tricab, or you know someone who might be, please let me know. I promise to be a good steward of your vessel, care for it lovingly, and not spare the maintenance dollars on its upkeep. I think that Trojans are among the best looking designs ever, and I especially like the layout of the tricabs. I just wish I owned one......
Thanks, Perry
That bad start, likely, and the fact that the boat was just listed, resulted in my offer being declined even though it was within 19% of asking price, and not subject to additional nickel and diming -- structural issues only, no griping about loose stanchions and other minutia. It is not like the boat is in perfect condition (moist stringers under the engine beds, moist decks in places, moist superstructure under the windows -- all of them, leaking water heater, leaking port vee strut (AGAIN!, for those of you following the saga), patched canvas, engine oil leaks and oily bilge water, leaking hull to deck joint in the anchor locker, etc. And an 18" crack in the dash leading from the starboard side of the horizontal companionway hatch cut-out foward and outboard toward the windshield -- not a mere stress crack, but a genuine, all grown up crack.
The owner was also taken aback that I would actually want to INSPECT a boat that I was considering purchasing. I took my shoes off when I entered, and asked the owner if I may lift the hatches and check in the bilge, and whether there was any place he didn't want me to look (I realize people keep personal stuff on a boat and may not want a stranger going through their stuff). Their reply was "This isn't a survey, is it?" No, it wasn't. It was an effort to determine whether the boat was worth surveying. Attention sellers: It cost money for prospective buyers to have boats surveyed. If your boat is for sale, it is reasonable on their first visit to see the boat, for buyers to want to determine if they want to spend the money getting a survey.
But I digress. What I am in search of is a 1981 to 1985 Trojan Tricab. I believe those are the years that had the centerline double bed and the galley aft. I am not looking at boats. I'm not shopping for boats. I am going to buy a boat. I am a cash buyer who will respect you or your neighbor's property and your personal space as I eye your beauty. A perfect boat is not a must, but I do not want spongy decks (seen 'em), structural issues (seen 'em), or a boat that leaks so bad it smells like a mushroom farm (smelled 'em). I am willing to negotiate most other shortcomings. I prefer Crusader engines with closed cooling and strainers. A non-smoking boat is a must. Anything east of the Mississippi is a candidate. Closer to the Chesapeake is a plus. Something in the Great Lakes would be a plus too, because my family was psyched to cruise the Erie canal back to the Chesapeake on the last boat I nearly bought, until I hauled the boat for a survey and found hull cracks in unusual places. Being a mechanical engineer, nicely-done wiring and properly supported hoses with chaffing protection where they pass through bulkheads turns me on more than new carpeting.
If you are thinking about selling your tricab, or you know someone who might be, please let me know. I promise to be a good steward of your vessel, care for it lovingly, and not spare the maintenance dollars on its upkeep. I think that Trojans are among the best looking designs ever, and I especially like the layout of the tricabs. I just wish I owned one......
Thanks, Perry