How to restore a trawler for the Great Loop

What does it take to prepare a Taiwanese Trawler (Marine Trader, CHB, Hershine, Sea Chief, etc.) for the Great Loop? What issues do these boats have? How can they be repaired?
In this highly informative video, Captain Moose details how he restored the Sea Moose for the Great Loop Adventure being undertaken by the Captain, Admiral Darina, and Yorksie the Wonder Dog.
If you own one of these boats, or are considering buying one, this is a must see video.

[@davedavids9619]

Found your channel via the trawler forum. Incredible craftsmanship ! Your knowledge and determination are inspiring. I have a Taiwanese trawler and after seeing this video I will go over her with a magnifying glass.

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Awesome, thank you! Happy to share advice, photos, anything that might help, contact me through the Trawler Forum or via our website.

[@Godofthemoon1]

The great craftsman that did all these previous stellar repairs Someone needs to take his tools away and never be allowed to ever own another tool again! Awesome work on your part I can’t wait to see your boating adventures

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Right on! There is so much more malfeasance I discovered LOL.

[@tedharris7927]

It's inspiring to see the level of commitment shown in completing this project. I would be interested to see a video that details your fuel transfer and polishing system. Thanks!

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Will do! Replacing the Lehman manual pump with an electric one is one of the smarter moves I made.

[@ThoughtfulWander]

Very good documentation of the process of showing your boat proper ownership!! 👍👍👊👊🛠🛠💪💪

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Thanks 👍

[@ThoughtfulWander]

@@theadventuresofyorksieandme 👍👍

[@haroldconnell2973]

Great job rebuilding that boat

[@michaellarus2438]

Thanks for sharing. Nice to know we are not alone. We purchased a 1983 Fu Hwa 38 ten years ago as a live aboard DIY fixer upper / resurrection and have encountered many of the same issues, can “feel”what you are through and appreciate your tenacity and perseverance . Are you enjoying life on the water yet?

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Hi Michael Thanks for the comment, yep, we are on the great loop now. The You Tube channel is about a month and a half behind us, the episode coming out tomorrow we launch the boat, at the moment we are a week out of Chicago.

[@michaelbruder5610]

Just subscribed. Very impressive workmanship by you. Will look forward to upcoming episodes .

[@mvintrigue-trawlerdiy1101]

Outstanding work, documentation and video. Subscribed!

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for the kind words. Next Tuesday is our first on the great loop video in the boat :-)

[@annapolisbright]

I hope the boat was free to you. Interesting story thank you for sharing.

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Thanks! Not free but I paid a fair price for what I got.

[@mikenagy938]

This was an portant video for me but turned me away from these trawlers. Isn't it possible to find one that doesn't have all these problems? I knew about the teak decks and the fuel tank problem but wasn't prepared for the cabin top and holding tank. How much did all these repairs cost, and how long did it take? My plan was to spend some time fixing the really important stuff like anchor gear, electronics, water maker and tankless heater. Most of the 40 footers have two heads so I would remove one completely. Then when in Mexico you can work on the decks, cabin top and interior. No rain in Mexico and plenty of sun to dry things out. Now after watching this I'm not so sure the project is feasible unless you found one that someone had already done the work. Comments?

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Hi Mike. All boats need work... The question is how much work, and are you willing to invest the time and money to get it to where you want? While I had a stressful management job, and a not so great relationship, working on the boat for me was great therapy and I loved every minute of it. You can find these fully restored and ready to go, and you can find them in the condition the Sea Moose was. This is true for any old boat regardless of brand. Good Luck and get to it! It has been one of the most fulfilling adventures of my life. Alan & Darina

[@MrJockoDundee]

You lost me at "styrofoam cup to clean out the holding tank." I'm pretty sure that's when I would have called in my SIL with a backhoe and just demolished the thing. 😝 Candidly, great job on fixing a disaster. And you haven't even tackled the engine yet!

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

LOL. The only issue with the engine was a bad valve adjustment job and replacing both water pumps and the alternator.

[@user-ny4he1xl8x]

This is incredible! Thank you for sharing! I'm about to take on replacing my teak deck and it seems so daunting but I'm excited! About how long did your project take? And any random tips that you would recommend?

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Hi Riley. You can reach out to me on Trawler Forum if you have any questions I go by Sea Moose there. I was working on Saturday's only when the weather was nice so it took a long time! If I did it again I'd do several things differently - 1) I'd do it in larger sections 2) I would not re-use the old top skin 3) I'd completely remove the top skin and not leave a little lip on the hull 4) I started with Starboard and switched to marine plywood I would just use Marine Plywood. Thanks for the kind words, we really appreciate it.

[@johnschieffelin3226]

Wow, what a massive renovation. Well done for sure, but the amount of blood, sweat, tears and dollars seems daunting. The huge extent of rot in the decks, cabin sides and many other parts of old "leaky teaky" Taiwanese trawler, combined with the need to replace leaking fuel tanks, leaking holding tanks and corroded wiring makes them impractical to buy for anyone not as capable as you. In fact, many old Taiwanese trawlers are not worth anything because the cost to renovate them is less than they'd sell for after the renovation.

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Hi John. You are absolutely right and these comments apply to any boat from that era built with fiberglass over wood. That being said an old Marine Trader, or Formosa, or Cheoy Lee, or Chris Craft... they have a certain charm of a bygone era of boatbuilding and are beautiful to behold once restored. Its not a question of "value" its a question of how you emotionally react to old things :) I did the Classic Car thing for a while, same story. Thanks for the comment

[@stinker43]

I know that boats from CHB are the most-produced trawler of the 34ft size, but had never heard that Marine Trader were sent to the East Coast, and CHB to West Coast. I see both names on the West Coast.

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Thanks for the comment. There are a few Sea Chief and Hershine 34' D/C's as well. Hope you enjoy our Great Loop Adventure with the boat that will start on Tuesday.

[@cruisingschatzy]

adorable.))

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Thanks!! Really appreciate it.

[@dariussullivan8022]

Just saw your channel and subscribed great information I would be curious how long the repairs took

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Hi Darius! Great Question. I bought the boat in 2001, used it a couple of years, and then put it in the storage building where I worked on the decks and house off an on for seven years on weekends. There was a 2 year break where life intervened. Launched it again, and the other projects were completed by going into storage early and launching late - e.g. start in October and work from March to June. As the boat was 90 miles away it took a while. Thanks for subscribing!

[@darrylb4048]

I hope you got this boat for FREE....

[@theadventuresofyorksieandme]

Hi Darryl. Thanks for watching. I bought it when the market for trawlers was pretty hot and paid too much. But... it's ok I enjoyed the restoration very much and would probably do it again.