Buying a classic Taiwan trawler: Albin 36, DeFever, Marine Trader and more

In the 1970s and '80s, Taiwanese yards turned out trawlers by the score, and the same hulls were sold under many names: Albin, CHB, DeFever, Marine Trader, North Sea, Puget Trawler, Universal and others. One importer alone, Marine Trading International, is estimated to have brought in more than 3,000.¹ Today they're among the cheapest trawlers you can buy: a Canadian guide put classic Taiwan trawlers at roughly $50,000 to $100,000, against $500,000 or more for a new 36-footer, and many sell for less.¹

Some of these boats are the best-kept boats in the marina, lovingly rebuilt by owners who knew what they were doing. Others are floating repair bills. The difference is never the name on the transom. It's the tanks, the deck and the receipts.

Classic Taiwan trawlers at a glance

Is a Taiwan trawler right for you?

A good fit if you're handy, patient and want the most trawler for the least money, a specialist surveyor finds a dry deck and sound tanks, and you plan inland or coastal cruising.

Think twice if you can't afford a fuel tank or deck repair, you want low maintenance, or you're tempted to buy sight unseen from photos.

The known weak spots

The weak spots of these boats are well documented.¹

Fuel tanks

Hull flexing is reported to have made welded steel tanks buckle and leak at the corners. Look hard at every visible part of every tank, smell the bilge, and ask for replacement receipts. Tanks are often installed before the deck, so replacing them can mean cutting the boat open.

Teak decks

Water gets under teak decks, pools, and enters screw holes in the subdeck. Expect wet core somewhere on an original teak deck, and have the surveyor map it with a moisture meter. See fiberglass boat problems.

Laminate

Poor resin penetration can show as spider-web cracking in the gelcoat and laminate.

Wiring

Some boats had odd wiring from new, and decades of owners have added to it. Look for tidy, labeled, fused circuits.

Build year

Quality control is reported to have improved after 1981.

The DeFever difference

Arthur DeFever was a respected naval architect, and boats built to his designs in Taiwan have a reputation among cruisers for being seaworthy, comfortable and practical, with good engine rooms. Many were built with twin diesels. They share the Taiwan-era risks above, and add twice the engine inspection: oil samples from both engines, compression and blow-by compared, and each engine run alone on the sea trial. Check stabilizers if fitted, and look up the exact model, because "DeFever" covers several designs and builders.

How to buy one well

The same Canadian guide's advice is worth repeating:¹

• Use trawler-specialist brokers and surveyors
• Check the engine room carefully, and get an oil analysis; many of these boats have Ford Lehman diesels
• Budget another 15 percent of the price for upcoming issues

Questions to ask the seller

• Have the fuel tanks been replaced? By whom, and when?
• Are the teak decks original? When were they last re-caulked, or have they been removed?
• What year was she built, and by which yard?
• How many hours on the engine(s), and when was the last overhaul?
• Can I see the wiring diagram, or who did the electrical work?

Common questions

Are Taiwan trawlers good boats?

Many are. They were built in large numbers to varying standards, and their value depends on how they've been maintained and rebuilt. Tanks, decks and records matter more than the brand.

What is the biggest problem with old Taiwan trawlers?

Leaking fuel tanks and wet decks under old teak are the most commonly reported, and both are expensive to fix.¹

How much should I budget for repairs on an old trawler?

One guide suggests budgeting an extra 15 percent of the purchase price for upcoming issues.¹ On a boat with original tanks or a wet deck, budget more.