Benson 52 Fantail Trawler

Mechanical details:
The Detroit 6-71 turbocharged main engine was overhauled in 1986. A Twin Disc MG514 hydraulic 6:1 reduction ratio transmission drives the large four foot, five blade propellor using a 3 1/2" bronze shaft.
Engine hours are not recorded.
Steering is hydraulic except for chain to flybridge wheel with autopilot.

Electrical details:
Westerbeke 7.6 BTB (2004) 7.6 KW generator with 3200 hours;
Lewco Marine FS-3240 battery charger 32v battery charger;
Battery Bank 1 - six 2 volt 1000 AH deep cycle locomotive batteries (house) (12V);
Battery Bank 2 - one 12 volt deep cycle (generator starting) (12V);
Battery Bank 3 - four 8 volt deep cycle (new, 2020) (32V);
Magnum 2000 watt modified sine wave inverter/charger (new, 2018)

Other rigged Wood spars () with Stainless Steel standing rigging ()

The vessel has two wooden masts (5"diameter) and a boom (3 1/2" diameter) used for shore boat hoisting and navigation equipment including radar and searchlight. There are no steadying sails. There is an electric hoisting winch for the shore boat.

32 volt battery, 7 batteries charged by: engine, shore power, generator

This is a custom-built trawler of heavy, all wood construction typical of commercial fishing and research vessels of the era. The design features straight stem, long keel, fantail stern, and round bilges.

Construction is of 1 1/2" x 5" Fir/Port Orford Cedar planking on 1 3/4" x 2 1/2" bent oak frames on 10" centers. Stringers are 3" x 7" full length fir doublers. Beams are heavy 3 1/2" x 6" fir on 16" centers. The deck is of 2 1/2" caulked cedar aft and fir forward with fiberglass overlay.

Ballast is of stacked iron ingots embedded in concrete. Fastenings are galvanzed screws. The cabin structure is plywood on frame.

Waterline Boats / Boatshed does not independently verify capacities and measures, which are reported from seller-provided information and/or literature.

This classic vessel is well laid out for reliable cruising and living aboard in comfort.

Enter through doors on either the port or starboard side of the cabin or through pilothouse doors. All doors are traditional Dutch doors that split to open for visibility and ventilation at the top. From a side door you enter the salon. Aft to port is a settee with a drop leaf table. On the aft bulkhead is a full size refrigerator, Dickinson Newport propane cabin heater, and ample storage in drawers above a classic clock and barometer. On the starboard side aft in the salon a staircase leads below deck to the master cabin and engine room.

Midships to port in the cabin is the galley with three burner propane stove and oven and ample counter space and storage. Opposite the galley is a counter with storage shelving.

The salon opens forward to the pilothouse which features a traditional curved array of windows looking out that bring lots of light to the interior. A large ship's wheel with bronze trim dominates the pilothouse. Modern engine controls are installed along with engine instrumentation and navigation instruments.

Moving aft again and down the companionway stairs you enter the master cabin. This features a queen-size berth, private marine toilet compartment with shower, a flat screen television, and access through a companionway hatch to the covered enclosed aft deck. The cabin provides access to the large engine room forward.

The engine room has standing headroom around the centrally located Detroit 6-71 turbocharged diesel engine. Access to all mechanical components, fuel valving manifold, batteries, and generator is excellent. There is a large workbench with vise in the engine room.

The forward bulkhead in the engine room provides access to a forward cabin which is also accessible from a foredeck hatch and ladder. The cabin features upper and lower twin berths and access to a marine toilet compartment in the bow. This area also provides access to the anchor chain locker.

One fine feature of this vessel is the enclosed aft deck that provides additional living space. This includes a curved built-in settee that follows the shape of the beautiful fantail transom

Espar type diesel forced-air furnace new 2020;
Dickinson Newport Diesel heater;
Norcold AC/DC refrigerator;
Force 10 propane stove with oven;
Emerson microwave oven;

3 burner Stove