It's Your Destiny Too

[dirtdiver1977]

With so many of you sharing your boat I figured I would start to share ours. We recently purchased a 1984 41' Ed Monk Roughwater Trawler. Needless to say being 39 years old she is going to need some work. But here are some current pictures before we begin our journey and start fixing things as they should be.

 

[Comodave]

Very nice.

 

[alormaria]

39 years old. Barely broken in.

 

[dirtdiver1977]

So here is some of the ugly I noticed right off the back looking through the boat when the wife and I were able to stay the weekend on her before we decided to make the purchase. We both knew we were taking on a project boat….but the daily grind and traffic here in Tampa where we currently live until next month is starting to weigh heavy on us….hence the move onto the boat on the Space Coast. Nice quiet towns, no heavy traffic being in the safest harbor in Merritt Island even during a hurricane. I knew all the wiring would need to be redone right off the back just looking at the corrosion on the terminals not to mention the stuff and cracking feeling of the wires. A bilge pump and three float valves needed to be replaced already. Am not certain but I believe the engine block cooling pump is not connected via v-belt and the sea water strainer has seen better days. All the plumbing lines will need to be replaced as there are hoses with nothing connected….and from the looks of the starboard fuel tank it will need to be replaced soon enough as well with the rust that is on the outside. I do know at most of the joints on the boat when it comes to the windows there is water damage and rot…the center pilot house window frame needs to be replaced…. So yeah….lots of work ahead of me….my wife will be working full time as I only DoorDash here and there when not working on the boat….

 

[slowgoesit]

Welcome to Trawler Forum. Best of Luck on the boat, it looks like you've got your work cut out for you! Just remember, the answer to the question "How do you eat an elephant?" Answer: One bite at a time.
Survey what you have, figure out what is most important, ie; safety related items, start tackling them one at a time. Lots of experience here on the forum to turn to for advice!

 

[MacPhid]

Nice looking boat! Reminds me a bit of the Chris Craft 38 Catalina layout with an enclosed pilot house style helm. Good luck with the project, post pics as you can.

James

 

[dirtdiver1977]

So I have a question when it comes to the fuel tank gauge…from playing with it I am to assume it uses air pressure that is built up by using the little plunger correct? Has anyone found a way to use an ultra sound tank measurement device or anything better than this….lol

 

[CharlieO.]

Cool looking boat, they were never on my radar until I realized that the pilot house was enclosed. Look forward to seeing your projects

 

[Jeff F]

Survey what you have, figure out what is most important, ie; safety related items, start tackling them one at a time. Lots of experience here on the forum to turn to for advice!

Yep. Congratulations, and good luck!

 

[Island Cessna]

ultra sound tank measurement device or anything better than this….lol

That is a Tank Tender. Simple, reliable, accurate, and still supported by manufacturer. Only deficiency is it is not very sexy!

 

[koliver]

??? Tank measurement device ???
I use my hour meter.

 

[Pete Meisinger]

I hope the selling price reflected the need for these projects.

pete

 

[dirtdiver1977]

Well when it comes to prices I’m at a loss…the wife actually made the blind purchase without my knowledge…but now it’s done though…so am stuck with it regardless

 

[Capn Bob]

Very handsome boat! Thanks for sharing the pics.

 

[dirtdiver1977]

Well we are finally on the boat. Slowly but surely I’m starting to sand off all the paint from the original wood…little by little otherwise I’ll run out of things to do trying to be “retired”. Had my son pressure wash and scrub the bow to clean her off and start getting her to look pretty….I even started up a new YouTube channel for the boat and our live aboard life…

https://youtube.com/@itsyourdestinytoo

 

[dirtdiver1977]

Oops I forgot pics

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. d. Welcome aboard if I've missed you AND..."...the wife actually made the blind purchase without my knowledge..." I love that woman already and I haven't even met her. GOOD JOB, Ms. d.

 

[Portage_Bay]

A little late here, to add to Island Cessna's post. Tank Tender website has simple excellent info on installation, use and troubleshooting.

So I have a question when it comes to the fuel tank gauge…from playing with it I am to assume it uses air pressure that is built up by using the little plunger correct? Has anyone found a way to use an ultra sound tank measurement device or anything better than this….lol

 

[dirtdiver1977]

So i've been scratching my head on how to get the electrical out of my autistic sounds hands since he likes playing with all the switches on the boat. So the idea of this panel is to put it into the tall cabinet. The panel will be 13"x32". I have 2 120v distribution panels of course as i'm splitting the shore power into 2 segment.....1 leg going to the distribution panel itself and the 2nd leg going to the Victron multiplus inverter and then fron the inverter to the 30A breaker before going to the 120v Inverter Distribution panel. I doubt i'd need the 30A breaker there as the panel already has one... Thoughts on the design layout..