Tarquin Trader 40 quality? Too big for 2 crew ?

[Muxey]

I think 2 crew would be ok your thoughts. but we are not youngsters!
Also any views on build quality .

 

[Greg2]

No problem with a crew of two on a forty footer, in fact many couples run notably larger boats.

Traders are okay on quality as far as I am aware although in the dim and distant past a forumite had a lot of problems with a new build.

 

[Hurricane]

My wife and I run a Princess 67 - with just the two of us.
And we are not "spring chickens!!"
IMO, the key is to do everything slowly and communicate between each other without shouting orders.
On a boat like a Trader, you probably can't see each other some of the time.
There are several threads on this forum where a number of us have bought bluetooth headsets.
Wearing these dedicated headsets defuses any problems you get with communicating between each other.
And when manoeuvring a boat, keep everything slow.
If you are going to have a crash - make it a slow crash.

But my point is a Trader 40 should be easy to handle with just two.

 

[Muxey]

My wife and I run a Princess 67 - with just the two of us.
And we are not "spring chickens!!"
IMO, the key is to do everything slowly and communicate between each other without shouting orders.
On a boat like a Trader, you probably can't see each other some of the time.
There are several threads on this forum where a number of us have bought bluetooth headsets.
Wearing these dedicated headsets defuses any problems you get with communicating between each other.
And when manoeuvring a boat, keep everything slow.
If you are going to have a crash - make it a slow crash.

But my point is a Trader 40 should be easy to handle with just two.

Thanks, I do have some experience but its 40 years ago! reasonably fit but will take some further instruction, the trader was a a consideration as it looks a safer boat to manoeuvre around on de ck than a princess or fairline,

 

[Greg2]

I should have said that the largest boat we have owned was a Broom 41 and myself and my good lady had no problems handling it with the two of us. You make a good point about safety on deck and the Broom was good in that regard, something that my wife values as she is usually the one who has to move around the boat to do fenders and mooring lines. Our current Hardy 36 is without doubt the best in that department of the six boats that we have owned and it makes life so much easier,

A Google search shows a Tarquin Trader 39/40 for sale in Pompey - if that is the boat then it is very similar to our Hardy and has the benefit of a relatively low freeboard so good for berthing on a pontoon and no worries for two people handling it.

 

[IDAMAY]

As you can see from my Avatar, we are Trader owners. Ocean Spirit is a Trader 54 and we handle her exclusively between the two of us. We have cruised long distances and are quite happy with her handling at sea and at close quarters. We do have hydraulic bow and stern thrusters which helps in harbour. We have had no issues wit the quality of the boat and she has only needed routine maintenance during our six years ownership. She was commissioned in 2003.

As Hurricane mentions, we are often out of sight of each other and do use Bluetooth headsets for communication.

Best of luck with whatever boat you may decide to purchase.

PS. I forgot to mention that we are definitely not in the first flush of youth!

 

[Fire99]

I'm not too sure what classes as aged these days but I'm still in my 40's and run a Trader 47 Sundeck (2002). I often take her out single handed. This isn't to brag but more that a 40ft Trader with two people taking things easy is perfectly doable. I have a hydraulic bow thruster which is powerful and works well. I've recently done a little work myself on the controls and have fitted a remote control to the thruster which when reversing in the other night was very handy, being able to tie the stern rope and give a little nudge of the thruster also from the stern..

Keeping to the point, keep everything slow. I don't do any berthing in a hurry. If in doubt, go around and have another go. My 'boat neighbours' run a 50ft boat as a couple and by their own admission aren't super confident. They use bluetooth headsets to communicate to each other and they get on fine with berthing..

On the fit n finish front. I'm sure they vary. I think the overall layup is very strong on the Traders and the woodwork inside good quality. Some of the smaller fixtures and fittings could be better, but then I've made the same complaint on 2021 Sunseekers so it's all relative I guess. If she has a good survey I can't see you going far wrong with a Trader 40.

 

[BruceK]

We had a neighbour on a 41. In his 80's and president of the YC. He handled it on his own superbly. A lot of boat for it's size and beautifully finished. His only complaint like so many others who have this boat is the steel fuel tanks rusted through. He had them repaired with some kind of chemical liner they use on industrial tanks in the petro chemical world, (not the cheapest option i.e. replacement) but the point is have your surveyor check the tanks thoroughly. It's a common issue.

 

[Muxey]

Thanks everyone, my thinking seems to be in the right direction.