The Marine Trader 34 Double Cabin Offers Comfortable Coastal Cruising, Excellent Value and Great Owner Support.

During the fuel crisis of the 1970s trawler yachts enjoyed a brief period of increased popularity when fast powerboats, with fuel–guzzling engines, fell out of favor. But boaters became used to paying higher prices for fuel, the relative cost of fuel dropped, and fewer people seemed to find these slow, plodding vessels attractive. Their popularity waned, for a time.

Aging sailors wanting less demanding vessels and retirees searching for a slower paced boating lifestyle are contributing to another resurgence in the popularity of trawlers. Higher gas prices, coupled with supply issues, may steer even more mariners in this direction. Even before the record fuel prices in 2008, market demand outstripped the supply of some models.

The trawler yacht resembles, in appearance, a commercial fishing trawler. The Marine Trader 34 Double Cabin, built by CHB Marine in Taiwan, was introduced in 1974 and imported by Marine Trading International of Toms River, N.J. It is unquestionably the most popular trawler–styled yacht of this size ever sold in the United States. The 34s are no longer in production, but Marine Trading still imports the 36–foot and 40–foot models.

This model is 33 feet, 6 inches, in length overall with a waterline length of 30 feet and 3 inches, a maximum beam of 11 feet and 9 inches, and draft of 3 feet, 6 inches. The hull has a V–shaped bottom with a sharp entry forward that flattens considerably at the stern. An integral keel runs nearly the entire length of the vessel. The keel fairs into the bottom near the bow and drops more than two feet below the bottom near the stern, giving the propeller and rudder some protection.

Marine Trader 34 hulls are built of a solid composite that consists primarily of chopped–strand fiberglass mat and resin. Wood stringers provide longitudinal support and plywood bulkheads provide athwartship support. Both are attached with or encased in resin and chopped–strand mat. This is far from "high tech" boat building. In fact, little, if any, stitched or woven fiberglass fabrics generally considered to be significantly stronger are used. However, in spite of the lack of well–engineered fiberglass composites and a propensity for osmotic blistering, these hulls have held up reasonably well over the years. Keep in mind, though, that these boats travel less than 10 miles per hour, seldom venture offshore out of the sight of land and are stressed very little.

With the introduction of the 1985 model, the 34s were built with a molded, single piece fiberglass deck and deckhouse with balsa and plywood used for reinforcing. Post–1985 models have had their share of window and hardware leaks, though they've been significantly less problematic than their predecessors. Models built prior to 1985 had teak planked decks fastened through fiberglass into a plywood sub–deck. Teak decks were an option after 1985.

Models built prior to 1975 also featured plywood cabin houses sheathed in fiberglass cloth. The quality of workmanship, the integrity of joiner work and bedding of joints was very poor on these earlier models. Nearly without exception, water migration caused significant damage to decks and cabins.

Even with these structural problems, the combination of deck and interior space contribute to the Marine Trader 34's continued popularity. Restricted to a length of just under 34 feet, the designers did an excellent job laying out an efficient deck area while also maximizing interior space and accommodations. The side decks are quite wide and allow an adult to pass from bow to stern safely and comfortably. A substantial bulwark surrounds the deck, which has an added handrail for a safe, secure feeling. The foredeck and aft deck are necessarily small, though the aft deck has space for a couple of folding deck chairs. The flybridge is accessed by ladders from the aft deck and atop the aft cabin and encompasses the entire main salon cabin top. The bridge area can accommodate six adults comfortably, but I recommend limiting loads to no more than 800 pounds because heavier loads, over time, will seriously stress the structure of the cabin top. Access to the cabin from the aft deck is through a sailboat–like sliding hatch and companionway and along the starboard side to the main salon through a fore and aft sliding door.

The deck layout's main drawback is the lack of a convenient location for carrying a dinghy on deck without seriously limiting access.

Whether going on a weekend or extended cruise the Marine Trader 34 Double Cabin is a very livable boat that offers completely separate and private accommodations for two adult couples, plus plenty of room for stores and belongings. Headroom is well over 6 feet throughout and interior furnishings are recognizably Taiwanese –– teak is everywhere but the cushions, deckhead liners and some counter tops. Even with all the dark finishes, plenty of windows and ports keep the interior from appearing dark.

The forward cabin has port and starboard berths arranged in a "V" configuration that are large enough to be comfortable for an adult. The cabin also has a large hanging locker opposite a head with integral shower. Which feature is on what side may differ with the year of the boat.

The main salon area is midship and features a galley forward along the port side with a small settee aft. To starboard, an L–shaped dinette is aft and a lower helm forward. Access to the engine room is through the main salon cabin sole.

The aft cabin has a double berth along the starboard side plus a second head with integral shower. Along the port side is a single berth, usually used for extra storage, and a large hanging locker.

The standard engine offered on the Marine Trader 34 was a single, six cylinder, Ford Lehman marine diesel. Early on this engine was rated at 120 hp and later models increased in rated horsepower to 135. Over the years several larger engines as well as twin engine options were offered, but the standard Ford Lehman engine is very dependable and the most common.

Powered with the standard engine the Marine Trader 34 is not a fast boat but she is extremely efficient when operating at displacement hull speed. At 8.5 mph she sips a mere 2.2 gallons of fuel per hour and will cover a range of more than 900 miles between fuel stops on a supply of 300 gallons. Pushed to the maximum, this efficiency disappears rapidly. At 10 mph, a 19 percent increase in speed, fuel consumption jumps to a whopping 7.3 gph, a 230 percent increase. The range is more than cut in half. Similar small increases in speed at the cost of fuel consumption can be expected with larger engine options. For example, the optional 210–hp Cummins diesel will increase the maximum speed to around 14 mph, consume more than 12 gph and reduce effective range to under 300 miles.

Steering controls are either mechanical or hydraulic depending on the year of manufacture and both tend to be a little sluggish. Generally speaking, handling is what is expected for size and style of boat and acceptable once one gets used to the less responsive feel of the helm.

It is not uncommon for older model Marine Trader 34s to need significant repairs. The most expensive and common problems are badly deteriorated teak overlaid decks and rusted leaking fuel tanks. Deck repairs can range from $5,000 to more than $20,000 depending on the seriousness of the problem. Although I have seen a number of steel fuel tanks successfully patched, repaired tanks are more prone to spring a leak somewhere else and replacement is the best idea. The engine must be moved or removed to replace the tanks, so the bill for two tanks doubles with installation costs.

Even newer model vessels may need attention. For example, the builder did not strictly adhere to the voluntary standards of the American Boat and Yacht Council that have become the bible for most American boat builders. This may mean the minor nuisance of all positive DC electrical wire aboard colored red with no wiring diagram to sort them out or could be as major as an improperly grounded AC electrical system. Upgrades to ABYC standards can cost from several hundred to thousands of dollars.

The 34 is rigged with a mast and boom for carrying a steadying sail. In most cases, the mast is used only for mounting radar and radio antennas or raising flags.

More Marine Trader 34s have been built than any other vessel of this size and type and locating used boats is not difficult. Variations in age and condition mean most anyone interested can find a boat to fit the budget.

The Marine Trader 34 Double Cabin is a very comfortable coastal cruiser that generally offers excellent value and an outstanding owners' association/support group. Dirt cheap 34s on the market offer excellent value only for a very handy person with enough patience, time and money to restore one of these problem–laden models. If not, look for a model that may be less of a bargain price but in considerably better condition. Be aware that a competent and diligent marine surveyor will likely make suggestions for electrical and fuel systems maintenance or upgrades if they've not been done. It may be that the insurance company will insist on these upgrades prior to insuring the vessel so get estimates for any recommended work and plan for the cost of these upgrades when considering the purchase.

Jack Hornor, NA is the principal surveyor and senior designer for the Annapolis-based Marine Survey & Design Co. Hornor writes for BoatU.S. Magazine and other marine publications.

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