Trojan Boat Forum

Hello my name is Lawrence, I am new to the forum and I am buying my first boat. I'm not entirely new to boating though -- I hail from the land of 10,000 lakes (and many more boats), ! grew up on a farm, I spent 6 years in the Navy, I spent 2 seasons on a 58-ft salmon purse-siener in Alaska (it was like "Deadliest Catch", but with less whining), and generally I can fix anything (given enough time).

I have found a "1980 30 ft Trojan" for sale, cheap, which obviously needs some work. I have researched a lot about this make of boat and I really like it. I am viewing it this weekend for the first time, so I don't know any more about it's condition than the seller disclosed in his advertisement. I plan to hire a pre-purchase inspector/surveyor to help me assess the boat before I buy. From my research, the pictures look to me like it's a 1980 F-30 Flybridge Sedan. I really like the Sedan Trojan, especially I like the 32 foot model which has a dinette on the lower starboard level. From what I have found, the F-30 Sedan does NOT have the starboard dinette. Is it true I must get a F-32 for this starboard dinette?

I love the Trojan F-32 design which seems to have a bigger, more-spacious interior and salon area than even most more-modern boats. Generally I like the look, lines, interior spaciousness, and versatility of the design. I want a cruiser, have family of 4, wish to fish some, and have a weekend/getaway boat, under 32-34 feet max. (I have 36 ft of canal waterfront in Miami).

I know the general price for such a boat that's in excellent condition (from boattrader, yachtworld, craigslist, etc: anywhere from $12k to $20k+). I cannot quite afford that, but I could afford less for a fixer-upper. The question I must answer is "How much to make this one sea-worthy and safe right away?" I will spend years upgrading it of course. This one is not in excellent condition -- at a minimum, it needs the following:
- Engine repair, possible major rebuilds (both: one turns, won't start - the other unknown/possibly seized up)
- Hull paint job
- Possible top-side / full paint job
- Interior / salon re-upholstery / carpeting repair/replace
- New water pumps (not sure which)
- Probably other things, as this boat has obviously not been to sea in a while

I don't have much information yet, so I don't have many specific questions yet. I know this boat will take a lot of work and money to achieve excellent condition. I have plenty of "boat-buying checklists" and like I said I plan to have a surveyor/inspector assist me. I have read (on this site) that "soft deck cores" is something to watch for with the Trojan brand.

So I just wanted to say hi, and if you have any general advice, that would be nice. Like I said, I don't have many specifics just yet. If anyone can point me to any war stories or experience in restoring a Trojan, that would be nice. If I do this, I will need parts! In general I am thinking I can get this boat for about $4k, then spend about the same to initially get it sea-worthy.

About how much should I expect to pay for consultant's "pre-purchase" inspection? I am currently interviewing folks who advertise this service in my area.

Thanks for this informative forum, and to all who participate.

Call me crazy, or call me
LawrenceG

Welcome and best of luck with the inspections. I purchased my rig in Miami a few years ago and brought it north. Plenty of F series wisdom on the site. Welcome!

Lawrence,

welcome to the forum!! I can tell you that there is an incredible wealth of information and you will not meet a finer bunch of people anywhere.

I assume you are looking at the F-30 up in Duluth. You and I are from the same neck of the woods. I purchased an F-26 this year and used a certified surveyor for a pre purchase. You are looking at about $16 /ft +/- for this service. Best money you will ever spend!

I can tell you this, it will be cheaper to find the model you want, in top running order, than to buy a fixer upper and restore it. However for me, I enjoy working on them as much as I enjoy using them.


Good luck, and feel free to pm me if I can share any resources

We bought a 1980 F-30 flybridge sedan a few years ago. She needed all kinds of work, but we got her for (what we thought) was a bargain. We have easily spent the purchase price of the boat in repairs, parts.....misc....it never ends.

Hi Lawrence,
This sounds like something a friend of mine just went to look at... what was the name on her?

Thanks,
Rainie

LawrenceG wrote:Hello my name is Lawrence, I am new to the forum and I am buying my first boat. I'm not entirely new to boating though -- I hail from the land of 10,000 lakes (and many more boats), ! grew up on a farm, I spent 6 years in the Navy, I spent 2 seasons on a 58-ft salmon purse-siener in Alaska (it was like "Deadliest Catch", but with less whining), and generally I can fix anything (given enough time).

I have found a "1980 30 ft Trojan" for sale, cheap, which obviously needs some work. I have researched a lot about this make of boat and I really like it. I am viewing it this weekend for the first time, so I don't know any more about it's condition than the seller disclosed in his advertisement. I plan to hire a pre-purchase inspector/surveyor to help me assess the boat before I buy. From my research, the pictures look to me like it's a 1980 F-30 Flybridge Sedan. I really like the Sedan Trojan, especially I like the 32 foot model which has a dinette on the lower starboard level. From what I have found, the F-30 Sedan does NOT have the starboard dinette. Is it true I must get a F-32 for this starboard dinette?

I love the Trojan F-32 design which seems to have a bigger, more-spacious interior and salon area than even most more-modern boats. Generally I like the look, lines, interior spaciousness, and versatility of the design. I want a cruiser, have family of 4, wish to fish some, and have a weekend/getaway boat, under 32-34 feet max. (I have 36 ft of canal waterfront in Miami).

I know the general price for such a boat that's in excellent condition (from boattrader, yachtworld, craigslist, etc: anywhere from $12k to $20k+). I cannot quite afford that, but I could afford less for a fixer-upper. The question I must answer is "How much to make this one sea-worthy and safe right away?" I will spend years upgrading it of course. This one is not in excellent condition -- at a minimum, it needs the following:
- Engine repair, possible major rebuilds (both: one turns, won't start - the other unknown/possibly seized up)
- Hull paint job
- Possible top-side / full paint job
- Interior / salon re-upholstery / carpeting repair/replace
- New water pumps (not sure which)
- Probably other things, as this boat has obviously not been to sea in a while

I don't have much information yet, so I don't have many specific questions yet. I know this boat will take a lot of work and money to achieve excellent condition. I have plenty of "boat-buying checklists" and like I said I plan to have a surveyor/inspector assist me. I have read (on this site) that "soft deck cores" is something to watch for with the Trojan brand.

So I just wanted to say hi, and if you have any general advice, that would be nice. Like I said, I don't have many specifics just yet. If anyone can point me to any war stories or experience in restoring a Trojan, that would be nice. If I do this, I will need parts! In general I am thinking I can get this boat for about $4k, then spend about the same to initially get it sea-worthy.

About how much should I expect to pay for consultant's "pre-purchase" inspection? I am currently interviewing folks who advertise this service in my area.

Thanks for this informative forum, and to all who participate.

Call me crazy, or call me
LawrenceG

We could be of more help if you could provide your budget for:

initial purchase

annual maintenance

annual operating expense budget

annual insurance budget

These numbers are important and deserve significant consideration.

You are looking at a 30 year old boat and need to separate dreams from reality before making a purchase based on emotions, not facts.

Having the hands on approach is a requirement for boating in this vintage, but more analysis is required if you don't want to become one of those boaters who throws in the towel after 14 months of heartache.

RWS

RWS is right, A lot of people can't separate dreams from reality and look at a old boat and see themselves behind the wheel and bouncing off of waves. Down here in Florida I would say 80% of the project boats never hit the water. years go by, money gets spent, and the owner ends up selling the boat for peanuts, his wallet much lighter. I dream a lot too when I see a old classic boat sitting somewhere cheap, but I snap out of it pretty quickly when I start adding up what it needs.

Think about this, buy a old boat for 5K, spend 10K more, work your ass off, and take 2-3 years to make it seaworthy.

OR- Put the 5K in a Boat "account' and save the 10K over the next 2-3 years and when you have the money, go buy a decent boat and go boating.

If you like working on stuff, trust me the decent boat will still need plenty of work, but at least you can use it.

Of course the cheapest way to go boating is to find a friend that owns one.