If you're looking at trawlers in the 42-foot range, you're probably looking at twin engine boats anyway, unless it's a real cheap-and- nasty Taiwan or mainland China boat that was built to a price. And you already know about the problems with those boats (fiberglass-over- plywood deckhouses that turn to pulp due to window frame leaks, ditto teak plank-over fiberglass-over plywood decks, electrical gremlins, etc.)
That 42 Uniflite you're looking at is far superior in construction quality to almost any trawler built in the last 20 years. The differences in design are going to be that the trawler will have slightly safer outdoor walkaround decks (because they're wider and have raised gunwales). However, the drawback to the wide side decks is cramped interior quarters. The Uniflite will have a much roomier cabin. This tradeoff may work for you as a liveaboard. If the engines are original, they may be GM/Detroit Diesel 6-71NA or 6-71TI's (great engines, IMHO, a little noisy and a little less fuel- efficient than 4-stroke diesels, but more powerful for a given displacement, and repair parts and mechanics who know them are everywhere), possibly the Cummins 903's, or just barely possibly the Caterpillar 3208's. Some 42's were fitted with Chrysler 440's or Chev 454's. Avoid those unless you know that (1) the engines are new; and (2) you're never going to run it above hull speed. Gas-powered 42's have seriously overstressed engines. The other difference in design will be that the Uniflite, as a planing hull, has sharp chines and no keel, so when you're stopped or going slowly in a cross sea, there's a tendency to snap rolling, which can be uncomfortable. The trawler won't roll as sharply in a cross sea. To me the biggest factor is the safety margin given by the planing hull and big engines. As noted by other posters, your fuel economy won't be too much worse than the trawler when you're running at trawler speeds, but if the weather turns nasty, you can do what a trawler can't -- shove the throttles forward and run for a safe anchorage. Only thing is, if the boat has Detroit Diesels, know that they won't tolerate being run at constant low speeds. May I suggest one other boat to look at? That would be the 1967 to (about 1975) Chris-Craft 47-foot Commander. Built like a battleship; it was Chris-Craft's first fiberglass boat; and I think that Chris- Craft's designers decided, "Well, we use 3/4-inch mahogany in our motoryachts, let's lay on 3/4ths of an inch of fiberglass mat!" The hulls are literally bulletproof (I know of one that stopped a .38 Police Positive round). The older style flush deck design may be offputting because it causes the windows in the cabin to be above head level when you're sitting down. Look for a 1968 or older, as they have beautiful interior woodwork in the classic Chris-Craft style (became more wood-grain Formica in later years). Most were originally underpowered, having GM/Detroit Diesel 8V-53's (about 250 HP) or 427 Ford sideoiler gas engines (about 325 hp, equivalent to the 250 hp diesels), so you almost have to plan on a repower. A boating magazine a few years ago had a feature on a 47 Commander that had been repowered with 350-horse Perkins diesels. She ran 26 knots at 20 gph. The 47 Commander had a very efficient hull for high-speed cruising. There are a couple of layouts; standard was a large aft stateroom with private head; there was an option for two aft staterooms with a shared head opening off a companionway; this is the one you'll most likely see. Presently, these boats are selling in the mid-to-high five-figure range. A hell of a lot of boat for the price. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "UnifliteWorld" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/unifliteworld?hl=en.
