Sababa

Trawlers Sababa

Looking for your Great Loop Boat or a beautiful well-maintained Trawler? Look no further than this 1984 Marine Trader 40 Europa (often called the 40 Sedan), Sababa is an economy cruiser class Taiwan Import with a salty profile and very practical layout. It has a 120 hp Ford Lehan engine that just sips fuel at 1.5 gals per hr. at 7 kts. Everything is well laid out and spacious with plenty of room for storage and more than ample space in the engine room

The boat has two separate heat/ac units, one for salon, the other for staterooms forward. The bow thruster has been replaced about three years ago with a stronger unit. It and the windlass operate on their own bank of batteries (4d’s, four in total) The bridge clearance is 18ft. The 36’ foot version has a hull speed 2.08 knots slower

 2 ac units heat too. Yes hot water tank about 11 gallons ( it’s plenty)

Reverse Gear

 I believe it's a Borg Warner and that it's original. No issues for me, or in my log, except for oil changes. 

There is a 1/2 Fridge to stbd. It has a small freezer mainly for ice trays. There is a separate ice-maker freezer, which is usable for foods (not sure if its working). To port is the stove, two burner, electric glass top; I long ago replaced gas as I don't feel safe with it. Should you want to revert, the plumbing is still in, and tank storage in the helm of the flybridge. There is a built in microwave and counter-top toaster oven which stays if you like. The genny handles all loads better than dock power, i.e. one of the two AC units have to be shut to run down run the microwave.

Oooh, forgot an important item. The main deck above the bilge is sound insulated with acoustic tile. You can run the genny all night, and its fine. Not silent, but very sleep-able. Too, when at the helm at power, conversation is normal. On the flybridge, the engine is virtually silent.

We have cruised mainly both coasts of LI Sound for up to 3 weeks at a time, with hardly a day at a marina. Dinghy boarding is safe; boarding doors to aft and stbd. Very comfortable for 2. Two state rooms so guests are welcome.

In the past 15 years or so, normal pain in the butt annoyances (batteries,) but otherwise she's still showing her strong build. By the way don't be scared by wood maintenance. It's easy, lasts-3-5 years. The main deck simply takes a salt-water brushing, with a sheen of oil for good measure.

Auto Pilot Yes. Handheld, moveable to both helms

This boat was built in Taiwan by the yards of Ocean Alexander. It was way overbuilt because fiberglass and labor was cheap at the time. Proof of that is time. The boat has been sound, documentedand, with no warping and only a rare leak around windows (which I extensively modified)

The plumbing is color coded (unheard of at the time)

The engine and generator run strong and reliably. The Lehman is a maintenance gift of ease, it wants to run. Allison it needs is clean fuel/no air.

Its had 3 total owners. The longest; the former owner, and myself.

The former owner was meticulously involved. The boat comes with a massive log of service and additions. He added the genset. He also spent about $30,000 (in 2010?) upgrading the electric system to comply with US standard. I modified the Lehman's obsolete fuel filters to modern spin-drain. New fuel pickups, boost pump etc.

It's a fine boat. It rides beautifully in seas (Ok not so much beam seas). It's a perfectly powered single diesel with approximately 2x the power to reach hull speed it can handle a 7 knot opposite current. In cruising, we never docked. Always comfortable on the hook. Oh, It raises Striped Bass better than any battle wagon.