Big Trader Needing Work

[Dino]

Spotted this online this morning. Big boat for the money but plenty more needs to be spent on it.
Anyone hazard a guess how much it would cost to get her back looking good
https://www.networkyachtbrokers.com/boats_for_sale/Trader_54_Sunliner-14353.html/

 

[dustywings]

Hugely different hours between engines!

 

[Oscar24]

Hugely different hours between engines!

Yup,

'Engine hours are higher on the starboard as the previous owner ran this engine for heating the water and to save fuel on longer passages.'

Would need deep pockets to get this updated to something reasonable

 

[superheat6k]

The second hull photo shows what look like two or possibly three fairly substantial blisters just above the keel line, beneath the lowest spray rail, just where the keel line turns upward. OK the boat is 33 years old so some osmosis might be inevitable, but I would defiantly get those possible blisters checked by a surveyor, because if they are blisters their size is alarming.

The cosmetics are pretty much whatever you want to spend, but hull repairs on such a large boat could be substantial.

Also 54', 17 knots and 2 x 210 HP do not add up. My 32' just makes 18 knots with clean hull and 2 x 210 HP. I would expect any fouling at all on this hull will see her struggle to get on the plane with those engines. I'm not familiar with model types of Caterpillar but I would clarify these are just 210HP.

 

[jimmy_the_builder]

Internal joinery and upholstery looks like it has all got quite wet, either from leaks or general dampness. I like the idea of a big project but there's a lot to do on this one.

 

[Dino]

Well I’m not interested in it myself, very happy with my current boat bu it is an interesting one.
I’ve seen plenty of boats advertised in similar condition but at top price. I thought this looked like a fairly okay boat for the money for a DIYer. The smaller engines may be naturally aspirated and more economical than a lot of bigger engines at displacement speeds.

 

[Beamishken]

Pretty sure that boat has been for sale for several years already

 

[MrB]

Internal joinery and upholstery looks like it has all got quite wet, either from leaks or general dampness. I like the idea of a big project but there's a lot to do on this one.

That's what I noticed the most and I would think the ones that had both cabinetry and upholstery stains in the same proximity were from long term leaks. The varnish had completely gone in one shot above a stain in a seat back. Shame.

 

[bluejasper2]

the guy who originally bought this boat had it at royal quays marina for a few months about 6 years ago, think his son took boat out and smashed into lock gates, boat was taken up to amble boat company for repairs it sat in the boat yard for about three years then vanished . think some one bought as project but did not have the money needed.

 

[longjohnsilver]

The second hull photo shows what look like two or possibly three fairly substantial blisters just above the keel line, beneath the lowest spray rail, just where the keel line turns upward. OK the boat is 33 years old so some osmosis might be inevitable, but I would defiantly get those possible blisters checked by a surveyor, because if they are blisters their size is alarming.

The cosmetics are pretty much whatever you want to spend, but hull repairs on such a large boat could be substantial.

Also 54', 17 knots and 2 x 210 HP do not add up. My 32' just makes 18 knots with clean hull and 2 x 210 HP. I would expect any fouling at all on this hull will see her struggle to get on the plane with those engines. I'm not familiar with model types of Caterpillar but I would clarify these are just 210HP.

17kts?! Not a hope with 210hp engines. 12 kts possibly but with a huge fuel burn. Reasonable top cruising speed about 10kts, possibly less.

 

[rubberduck]

£150k, inc engine overhaul etc.

 

[AndieMac]

This one would be a bottomless pit, mid 80’s Asia, guaranteed extensive osmosis, screwed down teak into plywood (rotted) composite decks, “black iron” mild steel fuel tanks and holding tanks, rusted externally where the engine room vents direct salt spray on the (unseen) outside edge of the tanks and deck fillers leak pooling water onto the tank tops and ready for an extremely difficult removal and replacement in an aft cabin boat.
Be prepared for electrolysis damage on any hardware, leaking windows, corroded heat exchangers, seawater pumps, oil coolers, exhaust manifolds, risers and water trap (pond box) exhaust system.

Other than that it should be right to go

 

[MapisM]

This one would be a bottomless pit

Absolutely.
I didn't know that you are so expert on Kha Shing construction C, but you are right on the money with all your comments.
One of the boats I considered as a replacement for my old lady was a Trader 575.
Much younger than this one (mid naughties), but still built exactly as you are saying.
How these boats garnered a decent reputation in the UK is a mistery to me.
Other than for their interior spaces/layout, mind: fantastic liveaboard platforms, for those who don't mind a fugly external look.

 

[AndieMac]

Absolutely.
I didn't know that you are so expert on Kha Shing construction C, but you are right on the money with all your comments.
One of the boats I considered as a replacement for my old lady was a Trader 575.
Much younger than this one (mid naughties), but still built exactly as you are saying.
How these boats garnered a decent reputation in the UK is a mistery to me.
Other than for their interior spaces/layout, mind: fantastic liveaboard platforms, for those who don't mind a fugly external look.

I’ve just surveyed two similar vessels in Sydney last week, absolute polished turds ,
It was a big wake-up call.
US surveyor David Pascoe has interesting comments about “Formosan” built boats.
Locally builders say their decks were often laid with New Guinea rosewood because it’s looks similar and cost a fraction of the price. Deck composites were junk plywood.