WOW! Truly great support from you Trojan guys!!!!!

[John W. Burnette]

Re: about to buy a trojan!!!

I for one am VERY thankful that you all care. I have never owned anything biger than a bass boat. I must say that I am a little weak in the knees but I've never let that stop me. That said, my favorite saying of all time is "Life is hard!, It's even harder when you're stupid!" So, I'm wanting to jump in but maybe I should run up and take another look at her given what you all have said. She has brand new gas tanks and the bottom of that area near the back was compltely re-done so you can tell the guy was not afraid of structural stuff as he was about to endeavor in fixing things up. Apparently, as the story goes.... a guy had it in 2000 and brought it out of the water to do some work on her and then got sick and had some paralysis issues and never went back and the Marina took it over from storage fees owed. Now this kid who works there is selling it... i guess he must have purchased it off the marina for little of nothing. He is willing to sell to me now for 3 g's.... Obviously needs to get rid of it. I have about 10 to put in her. I have a year set as a goal to get her in shape. I'm willin to work on her and love her. But you all are right, I don't know crap about it as it will be my first project. The engines look OK and I know that doesn't cut it but how would I know???????? Is there a way to know???? All other stuff I think is ok, just old gauges and panels and tattered everything... only thing that scares me is engines and the other structural thins you guys have said. She's in Tracy's Landing, MD... and sure! If anyone was happening around that area and took a look at her I would be forever appreciative. I will move her to Ft. Belvoir, VA to take on the 1 year challenge. Just wish I could know about those damn engines..... Wish me luck and thank you all sooooo much for taking the time to write and looking after your fellow boater. What a great community the boating world and people are. THANKS.

John Burnette
(304)237-6769 cell
(703)272-7933

[willietrojan]

Is this the F32 I saw on craigslist a couple of weeks ago? I live in Sterling
and also own a F32 with 233hp Mercruisers. Let me know if I can help you
with any info.

Will.

[jav]

John -

My .02c.

If you mean you have 10G total to put into her, IMHO you should rethink this.

Here's why - You should never buy something this big without a survey. A good one is going to cost you around $600-1000 (including having the engines compression tested). I doubt you'll get any deeper discount based on the survey since your already at such a low price (3K) If your planning on moving the boat over land, the flybridge has to come off and depending on distance that could range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. if your planning on moving via the water, you'll need to verify bilge pumps/electrical system, engines, gears, controls etc AND make it coast guard legal which will likely include registration, insurance, sales tax and some other goodies. You may have to pay sales tax based on book value (depending on your state). So iether way - by land or sea, you could easily be looking at 1-3K. Getting it back into the water could run you another $500 IF you have no storage fees and enough freinds to help yopu hoist the bridge back on. Add all that up... you'll have very little left to actually spend on the boat and thats where the real $ is.

I think your budget is too light for a boat this large- but thats just my opinion.

[Stripermann2]

John, you don't by chance have an 18' black bass boat named Jezabelle...do you? Out of Springfield, VA?

[John W. Burnette]

Who are you? Oh! and by the way yes it is that one from craigs list... know anything??? And again I really thank you all while you help me get a grip on what I'm getting into.... Thank You, you can't imagine how much it is appreciated. I feel like I'm trying to get a hook out of my finger while drunk and blind.. !!!!hahahahaha

[Safari]

Somedays you get lucky - but definately, without a doubt, get a survey before you go too far. Whatever it costs, get a survey - don't cheap out in this area........

[Stripermann2]

Yep, get a survey. You'll certainly need it for insurance as well.

[John W. Burnette]

Stripermann2...Who are you.....

got it! Survey it is... thanx. Who do I find to do that?

John

[willietrojan]

Go to the following site and you will find a surveyors in the Chesapeake Bay
area.

http://www.boatus.com/insurance/survey.asp

[willietrojan]

Go to the following site and you will find surveyors in the Chesapeake Bay
area.

http://www.boatus.com/insurance/survey.asp

[Stripermann2]

Stripermann2...Who are you.....

got it! Survey it is... thanx. Who do I find to do that?

John

John, I never got an answer, to my question. Are you the person I am referring to?

Otherwise, please disregard.

[John W. Burnette]

Thanks guys... for everything.... I'll let you know what happens. I'm a lot smarter now thanks to you all.

[rossjo]

I'll 5th the Survey advice - I avoided 2 pieces of junk in my life with surveys.

On the techie side, do the engines turn over? You should be able to rotate them by hand a little bit. Try removing the plugs and turningt he engines. Do the shafts turn in Neutral? Are the motor mounts rotten? Look for the obvious, take pictures and report back to us for more help.

We don't want your 1st Trojan experience to be awful - for $15-20k you can buy a running boat and be done with it, and not waste 1 year of your lfe.