You have been pondering a very long time about finding a good quality used trawler or used motor yacht to travel the Intracoastal Waterway and quite possibly the Bahamas; it's been your lifetime vision. However you are new to big yachts and think you will need to have a better understanding of what is involved in order to service your boat prior to proceeding.

Calm down, most boaters had to begin at this same point. Additionally in the time prior to the world wide web it was a learn-as-you-go ordeal; rarely was there anyone around to ask. Therefore to assist individuals still considering buying a large boat, this piece of writing is designed to make the process a bit easier. In this editorial I'll answer the inquiry, "What will the maintenance of a used trawler or motor yacht include". Since I live aboard and own a forty foot twin screw used sundeck trawler, I am going to present you with the details based upon my experiences.

First off, bear in mind that continual maintenance on a motor yacht will definitely be more the less you utilize it. Boat mechanics should be exercised. This list, needless to say, doesn't contain machinery that quit out of the blue. I will provide you with a price for each do it yourself (DIY) and yard (Yard) calculated expenses. The first price listed is the DIY price, the second is obviously the fee the yard would charge.

Boat Engines:
Boat engine marine oil/filter changes pretty much every one hundred hours or in accordance with manufacturer: $300.00 and $500.00.
Change transmission oil every five hundred hours or as per manufacturer: $30.00 and $130.00.
Marine engine zinc change annually or as required: $150.00 and $300.00.
Marine engine salt water system cleaning/flushing every three years or as required: $50.00 and $500.00.
Brand new raw water impellers approximately every 2 years or as necessary: $50.00 and $300.00.
Brand new marine engine diesel fuel filters annually or as required: $60.00 and $100.00.
New engine belts as needed: $60.00 and $120.00.
Service/clean boat engine raw water strainers when needed: $30.00 and $150.00.
Check clamps and hoses when needed: $0 and $45.00.
Touch-up marine engine paint as needed: $10.00 and $50.00.
Put in fuel biocide when filling up with diesel fuel: $10.00 and $20.00.
Clean fuel as needed: $600.00 and $700.00.

Electrical:
Check bilge/sump pumps monthly or when needed: $0 and $50.00.
Change bilge pump automatic switches when needed: $30.00 and $120.00.
Use electronic products every month: $0 and $30.00.
Check battery bank each month or put in sealed systems: $0 and $30.00.
Change batteries approximately approximately every 6 years - AGM $1200.00 and $1500.00.
Waste:
Service/clean ElectroScan black water system electrodes each month: $10.00 and $60.00.
Service and clean salt water toilet units with muriatic acid each month: $10.00 and $60.00.

Underwater:
Scrub running gear and bottom each month: $80.00 and $120.00.
Inspect zincs monthly, change when needed: $150.00 and $300.00.
Put on brand new bottom paint with boat out of the water once every two years: $1500.00 and $1800.00.
Inspect bottom of boat for blisters out of water biannually: $0 and $30.00.
Look at rudder posts once every two years: $0 and $30.00.
Inspect prop shaft out of the water once every 24 months: $0 and $30.00.
Inspect stuffing boxes each month or install drip less packing: $0 and $75.00.
Use through hull sea cocks annually: $0 and $75.00.
Yard haul out and blocking: $0 and $440.00.

Decks:
Apply brand new varnish to bright work yearly: $35.00 and $500.00.
Remove and re-apply varnish to bright work approximately every five years: $35.00 and $2000.00.
Mend fiberglass exterior surface as required: $20.00 and $120.00.
Put on new boat deck paint as necessary: $35.00 and $250.00.
Clean stainless-steel approximately every six months: $15.00 and $175.00.
Wash and polish isinglass once a month: $0 and $40.00.
Purchase new canvas approximately every six years or when needed: $0 and $3500.00.
Thoroughly clean and wax as needed: $10.00 and $300.00.
Inspect and purchase new dock lines and fenders month to month: $0 and $250.00.

HVAC Systems:
Clean sea strainers each month: $0 and $50.00.
Wash/replace intake hoses once every 24 months or as required: $0 and $50.00.
Add freon to the system when needed: $0 and $100.00.

So there you have it. It looks like a good deal but it truly isn't. I check a lot of the items automatically as I'm moving on the vessel on a daily basis.

National and international sales. Used Trawlers, Motor Yachts Located in Florida, USA. 904/556-9431

Visit the Paradise Yachts website to view our Trawler Buyers Guide