Boilermaker75
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2018
- Messages
- 85
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Kimberly Dawn
- Vessel Make
- 1984 Marine Trader 40 Sundeck Trawlet
Hello, greetings, and Merry Christmas from a Newbe and trawler-owner/Looper wannabe! I've been a boater most of my life, on a mix of sail and power boats ranging from a 17' ski boat, 17' & 22' sailboats owed/sailed all over the country, and 29' - 39' "club" sailboats on Lake Michigan, off Chicago.
For the couple of years, I've researched dozens of 25 - 35 year-old 35' - 42' Sundeck-style & Europa-style trawlers, and the history of Taiwanese-built trawlers. A 1987 Tradewinds 38 Sundeck in Michigan has recently captured my attention, for a variety of reasons. I think it was probably built/imported by Marine Trader/Marine Trading International (MTI); so arguably, could/should it be called a Marine Trader Tradewinds 38 Sundeck? If not, can anyone tell me what the difference(s) between a Marine Trader 38 Sundeck and a Tradewinds 38 Sundeck is (are)? Just hull/keel design? Is anyone familiar with the Tradewinds 38 Sundeck's pros and cons?
If I can buy a mid- to late-80's 40' Sundeck trawler, comparably equipped and in similar condition, for the same $50K +/- price, BUT the 40' boat was a lifelong year-round-use saltwater boat (not a six-months-of-the-year use freshwater boat), would anyone advise getting the bigger boat for the same initial investment? Thanks in advance to anyone who responds to share their knowledge, experience, and insight with me.
Peace and blessings,
Larry Buchman
For the couple of years, I've researched dozens of 25 - 35 year-old 35' - 42' Sundeck-style & Europa-style trawlers, and the history of Taiwanese-built trawlers. A 1987 Tradewinds 38 Sundeck in Michigan has recently captured my attention, for a variety of reasons. I think it was probably built/imported by Marine Trader/Marine Trading International (MTI); so arguably, could/should it be called a Marine Trader Tradewinds 38 Sundeck? If not, can anyone tell me what the difference(s) between a Marine Trader 38 Sundeck and a Tradewinds 38 Sundeck is (are)? Just hull/keel design? Is anyone familiar with the Tradewinds 38 Sundeck's pros and cons?
If I can buy a mid- to late-80's 40' Sundeck trawler, comparably equipped and in similar condition, for the same $50K +/- price, BUT the 40' boat was a lifelong year-round-use saltwater boat (not a six-months-of-the-year use freshwater boat), would anyone advise getting the bigger boat for the same initial investment? Thanks in advance to anyone who responds to share their knowledge, experience, and insight with me.
Peace and blessings,
Larry Buchman