What is it with Trader Boats

Spi D said:
When opening the thread to more makes one think about Arthur DeFever who came up with(invented) the now common style of trawler types.
Click to expand...

Hasn't Long Pants got a DeFever? I've never heard the trawler yacht credited to him, Tony Fleming must be up there considering his history with American Marine prior to his own company?
 
burgundyben said:
Hasn't Long Pants got a DeFever? I've never heard the trawler yacht credited to him, Tony Fleming must be up there considering his history with American Marine prior to his own company?
Click to expand...

More than often it is impossible to know who came first (like in 'who made the V-hull?'), but info to evaluate can be found

An early DeFever (pre 1950?) tuna Clipper
history-pic1L_2007220_114128.jpg


http://www.defevercruisers.com/
http://www.atlanticyachtworks.com/designer.php
 
Robg71 said:
The canados is stunning, actually, along with alot of the older boats, princess and fairline included. Me beeing the tight yorkshireman, would sooner buy last years (decades) model i can afford, than break the bank on this years.
....
I shall read with interest what has to be said reference the traders, but i have no definites, just a style i like. And for a boat for me to use year round, an open top sunseeker is not it. Fun though it definitly is :)
If i look at semi displacement hulls, is itpossible forthem to cruise around 16 knots, or are they then using more fuel than the QE2, in comparrison to a full planing hull.
Click to expand...

all your selection cretiria are similar then mine 5 years ago, including your vieuw on open top SS :)

here is the story of my search for such a boat, interesting reading on a long winter night
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?260592-Princess-or-Ferretti-what-boat-would-you-choose

this thread gives some comments on SD versus Planing boats
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?158391-who-knows-this-boat
 
maybh1 said:
She has weathered the years quite well and we are just about to spend a bit of money on her to bring her up to scratch again. She will have her gel coat dinks sorted, her decks cleaned a good polish and her hull Copperbottomed and she should be good to go for another few years

May
Xx
Click to expand...

She has even lasted me being on / near her! Though I can highly recommend the 'Vegetarian Steak' when visiting Sea Dweller, it is particularly good!


Robg71 said:
What was wrong with the company.....

There is a boat of similar style to traders 4 down from me in the marina, be buggered if i can remember what it is..... Its stunning though.....
Click to expand...

Is it an Atlantic? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds5eMb4kgXM



Toby
 
Whopper said:
I have always liked Traders. I still do even though I'am well aware about the documented issues! The 475 on James Dickens looks quite attractive at the minute! I have a feeling though that the appeal is probably similar to the appeal some people have for Hummers! ;) They might just look more rugged than they are capable of. Still though nice boats.
Click to expand...


Hi Whopper

I had to have a look and this Trader looks to me like it may well be one that Trader built for it's Caribbean hire fleet

The blue decks and the galley in the saloon are pointers as is the seat built into the transom. ( having said that we opted for the back seat as well on our boat but I think we were the only boat that did) From what I have been told the fleet was built with the smallest engine option so they are also underpowered but what do I know:confused:

However, if it's what you are looking for it's a stonking price for a 1998 Trader:)

May
Xx
 
maybh1 said:
Hi Whopper

I had to have a look and this Trader looks to me like it may well be one that Trader built for it's Caribbean hire fleet

The blue decks and the galley in the saloon are pointers as is the seat built into the transom. ( having said that we opted for the back seat as well on our boat but I think we were the only boat that did) From what I have been told the fleet was built with the smallest engine option so they are also underpowered but what do I know:confused:

However, if it's what you are looking for it's a stonking price for a 1998 Trader:)

May
Xx
Click to expand...

I've just graduated from Uni so its a tad outside my price range at the minute! ;) I have heard that the lower powered (<200hp engines) Traders can roll a bit when it gets rough thus making the bigger engines more desirable.
 
henryf said:
What a horrible advert on their website. Spelling mistakes, narrow angle photos which had me struggling to piece the thing together and as for the video - I gave up through motion sickness.

At some points we were microscopically analysing teak, other times looking at water droplets, occasionally nearly looking at what was being discussed but mostly just being waved aimlessly about.

Wow.

Good luck to master Dickens' in his attempt to go into space. I found that link a long time before I did the boats for sale.

Henry.
Click to expand...

Yea I see what you mean. But in the same way I enjoyed looking at car magazines before I could read properly I still enjoy looking at the pictures etc. on James Dickens. You could consult for him bringing your know-how from 911Virgin! :)
 
Rob, I have a huge soft spot for Flemings and actually paid a deposit on a 1991 -53 in March last year. I was aware of few potential issues to look out for and unfortunately (or fortunately, really) the survey threw up 'the worst case scenario'. There was extensive osmosis on the hull, but the real issue was the balsa cored decks, which had gotten wet. The Flemings and Grand Bankses of the era used screws to attach the teak into the deck and along the years they had the tendency of lifting a bit allowing water into the cored deck. IIRC Grand Banks stopped using screws in 1991, not sure when Fleming did the same.

The hull on the older Flemings tends to flex on heavy seas and this in turn had cracked several pressure points in the gelcoat quite severily. There were a couple of other smaller issues but those biggies made me walk away and as much as I still love that boat, I'm glad I did.

BTW, I think the boat in question is back on the market. It was bought by a local (Spanish) boat yard owner and presumably he has had it fixed. Trouble is that it's hard to tell afterwards to what standard the repairs have been carried out...
 
Last edited:
scubaman said:
Rob, I have a huge soft spot for Flemings and actually paid a deposit on a 1991 -53 in March last year. I was aware of few potential issues to look out for and unfortunately (or fortunately, really) the survey threw up 'the worst case scenario'. There was extensive osmosis on the hull, but the real issue was the balsa cored decks, which had gotten wet. The Flemings and Grand Bankses of the era used screws to attach the teak into the deck and along the years they had the tendency of lifting a bit allowing water into the cored deck. IIRC Grand Banks stopped using screws in 1991, not sure when Fleming did the same.

The hull on the older Flemings tends to flex on heavy seas and this in turn had cracked several pressure points in the gelcoat quite severily. There were a couple of other smaller issues but those biggies made me walk away and as much as I still love that boat, I'm glad I did.

BTW, I think the boat in question is back on the market. It was bought by a local (Spanish) boat yard owner and presumably he has had it fixed. Trouble is that it's hard to tell afterwards to what standard the repairs have been carried out...
Click to expand...

Many thanks for that.

Bearing in mind this is all theoretical for me, as its going to be at least 18 months to two years down the line.
I did not realise how much a variety there is when you get out of the usual princess/fairline/sunseeker. Of which i love those as well, just looking at different things. Who knows.

Any other brands that stand out as more working boat looks???
I really am buggered if i can remember the name of the one parked near me....
 
Robg71 said:
I agree there, where as I know the aquastar has a good hull, as I have seen them in bad weather, albeit pilot boat form.
Any other manufactures out there.... Be buggered if i can remeber the name of the one four boats down.... It really is stunning....
Click to expand...

When I was looking for my " big trip" boat I looked closely at Traders, Aquastars, and Nelson types. All semi displacement hulls, balancing speed with economy.
Came to the following conclusion
Traders were achingly beautiful but sluggish and uncomfortable in a blow. Aquastars are more functional and better sea keepers. Nielsen types generally will get you through any sea but are pinched for room.
Unfortunately Traders have a convoluted financial history but that does not seem to have affected their high build quality.
In the end I settled on a Bertram and have found the perfect boat for us. Built like a brick s...house, cruses economically at 8knots but can fly at 20. Have fought through force 6 in one piece, speeding up to go over the tops, and tons of room.
I suspect the boat four down may have been a Hatteras, US gulf cruisers and very cool.
 
V88sah said:
I have been looking to buy my first boat for around a year, was rather taken with Trader style. Have viewed a couple of Swift Trawlers recently, love them! Bit concerned that no one has mentioned them on this thread - is there something I should know?
Click to expand...

Maybe just that Beneteau has taken a different route by making (and calling) them Swift Trawlers. Looking like the others but faster than most in the class and not built or laid out in the authentic trawler style.
Aimed at a lower budget class than Nordhavn, Fleming and others of that league.

If memory serves the Beneteau Trawler line entered the market in 2004 and as such has less tradition than those dating back a handful of decades.
 
Bertramdriver said:
When I was looking for my " big trip" boat I looked closely at Traders, Aquastars, and Nelson types. All semi displacement hulls, balancing speed with economy.
Came to the following conclusion
Traders were achingly beautiful but sluggish and uncomfortable in a blow. Aquastars are more functional and better sea keepers. Nielsen types generally will get you through any sea but are pinched for room.
Unfortunately Traders have a convoluted financial history but that does not seem to have affected their high build quality.
In the end I settled on a Bertram and have found the perfect boat for us. Built like a brick s...house, cruses economically at 8knots but can fly at 20. Have fought through force 6 in one piece, speeding up to go over the tops, and tons of room.
I suspect the boat four down may have been a Hatteras, US gulf cruisers and very cool.
Click to expand...

No, its definitely not a Hatteras, i have had a good luck on google images.
I love the big flared bow design on some of the boat designs. (Reminds me of a boat i used to work on, the rockwater 1
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

C
Sealine S41 with KAD300s what Propellers work better for cruising
Replies
5
Views
230
jon and michie
jon and michie
Bigplumbs
Marina berths contract what is included
5 6 7
Replies
124
Views
3K
Purple Velvet
Purple Velvet
O
  • Poll Poll
Buy the right boat...... or the right engine
2 3 4
Replies
75
Views
2K
sailorman
sailorman

Share this page

Top