Marine Trader 38 Double Cabin
Built 1980–2000
About the Marine Trader 38 Double Cabin
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1980–2000
- Length
- 38 ft
- Waterline
- 34.67 ft
- Beam
- 12.83 ft
- Draft
- 4 ft
- Displacement
- 22,000 lb
- Hull
- fiberglass
- Hull / keel
- semi-displacement
- Propulsion
- inboard
- Fuel
- 300 gal
- Water
- 250 gal
- Holding
- 50 gal
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel 300 gal
“Fuel 300 gals.” — broker listing (1983), essexboatsales.com · “Fuel Tank: 200 Gallons (757.08 Liters)” — broker listing (1989), curtisstokes.netThe 1983 listing copies a powerboat guide's specifications; a 1989 boat lists 200. No builder figure was found.
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Water 250 gal
“Water 250 gals.” — broker listing (1983), essexboatsales.com · “Fresh Water: 250 Gallons (946.35 Liters)” — broker listing (1989), curtisstokes.netListings agree.
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Holding 50 gal
“Waste 50 gals.” — broker listing (1983), essexboatsales.com · “Holding Tank: 45 Gallons (170.34 Liters)” — broker listing (1989), curtisstokes.net
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Water heater unknown
No builder, importer or review information found; the listings read give no heater size.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster unknown
Only one boat for sale was confirmed (a 1989 hull with a Vetus bow thruster, in broker and Great Loop listings); one boat isn't enough to call it a common retrofit, and no builder document was found.
-
Stern thruster unknown
Nothing found.
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Steering unknown
“Hynautic hydraulic steering system” — broker listing (1989), curtisstokes.netNo builder or owners' source was found. One 1989 listing has Hynautic hydraulic steering, but a single listing isn't enough to go on.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Sources disagree on count (Cummins 210 hp) — left blank rather than guessed.
Solid fiberglass hull with hard aft chines and long keel. Galley-up and more popular galley-down layouts; aft stateroom opens to the cockpit. Nearly all have a single 120/135 hp Lehman (7-8 knots at about 3 gph); later boats with twin 210 hp Cummins cruise 12 knots. The BoatUS notes on the same page mention twin 135 Lehmans or a single 210 Cummins, so engine packages varied.
Engines fitted
-
Ford Lehman 120 — 120 hp, diesel, single
standard
HMY says nearly all were built with a single 120/135 hp Lehman; 1980 and 1983 hulls are listed with a single Lehman 120.Sources: hmy.com · essexboatsales.com · palmharboryachtsales.com
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Ford Lehman 135 — 135 hp, diesel, single or twin
standard
HMY's main text gives a single 120/135 hp Lehman; its BoatUS note also mentions twin 135 hp Lehmans.Sources: hmy.com
-
Cummins 6BT5.9 — 210 hp, diesel, single or twin
factory option
Later boats. A 1989 hull is listed with a single 210 hp 6BT5.9; HMY's main text says later models had twin 210 hp Cummins (about 12 kn cruise).Sources: curtisstokes.net · hmy.com
Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.
Generator
Listings show generators of different makes and sizes (an Onan of unstated size on a 1980 boat, a Powertech 8 kW diesel on a 1979 boat); none named by a builder document or review, and no unit repeats across boats.
Known problems for this model
-
Teak decks and handrails deck
Teak decks, handrails and a folding mast are standard; screwed teak over cored decks is the usual leak and rot risk on these Taiwan-built boats.hmy.com · pacificyachting.com
Engines & parts
Ford Lehman 120 (6D380 / 2715E) parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Ford Lehman 120”
Marinized by Lehman from the Ford of England 'Dorset' 2715E six-cylinder (380 cu in) industrial/truck diesel; Ford built the Dorset base engines 1964–1984. Base-engine internals interchange with the Ford 2715E, and marine-specific parts (raw water pumps, heat exchangers, injection elbows, gaskets, lift pumps, air filters) are widely stocked. American Diesel Corp (founded by former Lehman people) still sells parts, publishes spare-parts lists and gives technical advice. Rebuilt and used 120s are also sold by salvage yards.
Parts sources: American Diesel Corp, Go2marine (Ford Lehman parts collection), Fred Warner Marine & Outdoors
Common problems (2)
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Chronic oil leaks engine
Most 120s weep oil somewhere; owners often trace it to the rear of the engine near the heat exchanger (head/head gasket area) or to the drive seals of the gear-driven injection pump. Moderate oil use is treated as normal on these engines.trawlerforum.com · marineengine.com
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Fuel leaks at injection pump, lift pump and return lines fuel
Slow diesel drips usually come from loose bleed screws or banjo washers, perished rubber injector return hoses, a failing lift-pump diaphragm, or worn internal seals in the Simms or CAV injection pump, which needs a pump shop to overhaul.yescenters.com
Maker’s service schedule (16)
| Engine oil & filter change | 200 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 1. Change Engine Oil ... Every 200 hours running ..... 17. Change engine and transmiss” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours running ..... 18. Change all engine and fuel oil filters.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Change oil in fuel injection pump | 50 hrs | “Every 50 hours running ...... 13. Check cleanliness of intake air filter. 14. Check (exchanger) zinc pencil. 15. Change” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Transmission fluid change | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Change oil every 200 hours of operation or at least once each season under normal conditions” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Valve clearance check / adjust | 400 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 3. Adjust valve clearances. ... Every 400 hours running ..... 22. Adjust valve clearan” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Injector test / service | 400 hrs | “Every 400 hours running ..... 21. Remove and service injectors.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Engine pencil zincs | 50 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 4. Check (exchanger) zinc pencil. ... Every 50 hours running ...... 14. Check (exchang” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Drive belts inspect / replace | 200 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 5. Adjust belt tension. ... Every 200 hours running ..... 16. Adjust belt tension.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Air filter / intake silencer | 50 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 8. Check cleanliness of intake air filter. ... Every 50 hours running ...... 13. Check” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Clean fuel lift pump | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours running ..... 19. Clean fuel lift pump.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Clean injection pump cover filter | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours running ..... 20. Clean injection pump cover filter.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Remove raw water pump and check drive coupling | 400 hrs | “Every 400 hours running ..... 23. Remove raw water pump and check drive coupling. Place dab of grease on coupling halves” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Adjust idling speed (if required) | 400 hrs | “After first 15 hours running .... 10. Adjust idling speed (if required). ... Every 400 hours running ..... 24. Adjust id” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Check engine/propeller shaft alignment | 6 mo | “After first 15 hours running .... 9. Check engine/propeller shaft alignment. (twice annually, minimum).” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Replace Borg Warner transmission oil cooler | 1,200 hrs | “Suggested replacement is at 1200 hours.” — manufacturer, img1.wsimg.com |
| Inspect drive damper | 2,500 hrs | “Inspect your drive damper if you have more than 2500 hours on the engine.” — manufacturer, img1.wsimg.com |
Service part numbers (3)
| Raw-water impeller | Jabsco 1210-0001 | “6D380 5850-0001 040 3/4" NPT Flange SK33 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com · “Breakdown of 2C48 Pump ... 9 1 1210-0001 IMPELLER” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com |
| Raw-water pump kit original 2C45 pump (Jabsco 5850-0001) |
Jabsco SK33 | “6D380 5850-0001 040 3/4" NPT Flange SK33 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com |
| Raw-water pump kit Lehman 2C48 replacement pump (Jabsco 10950-2401 type) |
Jabsco SK239 | “Service Kit SK239 - Comprising Key 7/8/9/17” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Ford Lehman 135 / SP135 (2725E) parts: good
Factory standard engine — you entered “Ford Lehman 135”
Based on the later Ford 'Dover' 2725E 6.2 L naturally aspirated six (Ford built the Dover series 1982–1994, then Otosan/Dovertech to 2005). Parts are sold by the same Lehman specialists as the 120; American Diesel lists spare-parts sheets and Go2marine stocks cooling parts, heat exchangers and elbows for the 135. Do not assume 120 (2715E) and 135 (2725E) internals interchange.
Parts sources: American Diesel Corp, Go2marine (Ford Lehman parts collection)
Maker’s service schedule (14)
| Engine oil & filter change | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours of operation ..... Change Engine Oil & Filter. And Transmission Oil.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Fuel filters & water separator | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “should be replaced once each season or at least each 200 hours (which ever comes first) under normal conditions” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Raw-water pump impeller | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours of operation ..... Replace raw water pump impeller.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Coolant replacement & freeze-point test | 1,200 hrs | “Every 1200 hours of operation ..... Flush cooling system. Replace anti-freeze.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Exhaust mixing elbow inspection | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours of operation ..... Check exhaust components for leaks.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Transmission fluid change Borg Warner gearbox | 200 hrs or 1 yr | “Change oil every 200 hours of operation or at least once each season under normal conditions” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Transmission fluid change PRM/Newage gearbox | 200 hrs | “After 25 hours running: Drain all oil from the gearbox and refill with one of the recommended lubricants.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Transmission fluid change Twin Disc gearbox | 1,000 hrs or 6 mo | “The period between oil changes is 1000 hours of operation or 6 months, whichever occurs first.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Check idling speed | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours of operation ..... Check idling speed, adjust if required.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Check coolant and oil hoses | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours of operation ..... Check condition of all coolant and oil hoses.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Check engine mount bolts | 200 hrs | “Every 200 hours of operation ..... Check all engine mount bolts.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Replace thermostats | 3,600 hrs | “Every 3600 hours of operation ..... Replace thermostats.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com |
| Replace Borg Warner transmission oil cooler Borg Warner gearbox | 1,200 hrs | “Suggested replacement time is at 1200 hours.” — manufacturer, img1.wsimg.com |
| Inspect drive damper | 2,500 hrs | “Inspect your drive damper if you have more than 2500 hours on the engine.” — manufacturer, img1.wsimg.com |
Service part numbers (9)
| Oil filter engines built before the 1987 change (original filter) |
Lehman 2N50 | “11 1 2N50 FILTER (Engine Oil Cooler Assembly D196/D197, SP90 / 135)” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com |
| Oil filter 1987-on engines (larger capacity, revised fitment) |
Lehman 2N53 | “DURING 1987 A NEW OIL FILTER OF LARGER CAPACITY ... THIS IS PART No. 2N53” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com · “Oil Filter 2N53 LM - P12-R105 P11-88” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Fuel filter | Ford 6149717 × 2 | “2 ALL 2 6149717 FUEL FILTER ELEMENTS” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com |
| Raw-water impeller | Jabsco 1210-0001 | “Breakdown of 2C48 Pump ... 9 1 1210-0001 IMPELLER” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com |
| Raw-water pump kit | Jabsco SK239 | “Service Kit SK239 - Comprising Key 7/8/9/17” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com |
| Drive belt | Lehman 2B209 | “15 1 2B209 VBELT (Alternator Assembly D144, M/N)” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com · “Alternator Accessory Drive V-Belt 2B209 2B209 - P11-51” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Air filter | Lehman 1F7 | “12 1 1F7 FOAM ELEMENT (Plenum Chamber / Air Filter Assembly D1125, SP135)” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com · “Air strainer to replace 2H75 & 1F7 (PF136) (Whilst stocks last)” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Zinc / anode | Lehman EM21A | “25A 1 EM21A ZINC ANODE (Heat Exchanger Assembly D882/D883, SP135)” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com · “Anodes EM21A (Pack of 5) - - P11-18” — dealer, lancingmarine.com |
| Thermostat | Lehman 2C35 | “11 1 2C35 THERMOSTAT ... Modified / 12 1 1541317 GASKET” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Cummins 6BT / 6BTA 5.9 parts: good
Factory optional engine — you entered “Cummins 6BT5.9”
Mechanically injected 5.9 L inline six from the Cummins B-series truck/industrial family, so base-engine parts are everywhere. Cummins still sells factory ReCon (remanufactured) marine 6BT/6BTA engines (152–210 hp ratings) with a 2-year/2000-hour warranty. Seaboard Marine is the best-known marine specialist, selling aftercooler/heat-exchanger service kits, upgraded raw water pumps and technical guidance; TAD also sells Cummins packages.
Parts sources: Seaboard Marine, Cummins (ReCon 6BT/6BTA), Diesel Pro Power
Common problems (2)
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Aftercooler corrosion letting seawater into the intake cooling
On the turbo-aftercooled 6BTA the seawater-cooled aftercooler core has vertical tubes and an aluminum housing that corrodes from condensate; a leak can put salt water into the cylinders and wreck the engine. Owners pull, clean, grease and pressure-test the core every few years and fit new O-rings.trawlerforum.com · sbmar.com
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Heat exchanger and aftercooler service cooling
Routine seawater-side service (O-rings, gaskets, zincs) is a recurring owner job; kits are sold for it and refilling coolant without trapping air is a common question.sbmar.com · sbmar.com
Service part numbers (5)
| Oil filter | Cummins 3937743 | “| Oil Filter | 3937743 |” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Oil Filter 3937743 Spin-on type, 3.66" outside diameter, 6.95" height” — dealer, dieselpro.com |
| Fuel filter 6BT 5.9 210 hp (CPL 742) |
Fleetguard FF5052 Replaces FF42000, FS1251 |
“on-engine fuel filter with drain for all 6BT 210 B’s (CPL 742). Replaces the FF42000, FS1251.” — dealer, sbmar.com · “Cummins 6BT Fuel Filter 3931063 FF5052” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au |
| Fuel filter late 6BTA (also late 4BTA and 6CTA) |
Fleetguard FF5285 | “Fleetguard FF5285 Fuel Filter – late 4BTA 6BTA and 6CTA’s” — dealer, sbmar.com · “Cummins 6BTA Fuel Filter 3890017 FF5285 ... suits late model Cummins 6BTA's, 6CTA8.3-M” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au |
| Raw-water impeller seawater pump with 1-1/4 in hose ports (Sherwood M70/M71 type, early 4BT/6BT) |
Sherwood 10615K | “Seawater Pump Impeller | **1-1/4" PORTS** 3908220 10615K” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Marine Water Pump Impeller 10615K 2 9/16" diameter, 1 5/8" length” — dealer, dieselpro.com |
| Raw-water impeller keyway-shaft pump, 2 in inlet / 1-3/4 in outlet, 11° offset flange (e.g. P1716/P1730 on 6BTA) |
Sherwood 17000K | “**2" inlet & 1-3/4" outlet ports with 11° OFFSET flange** 17000K” — dealer, marineenergy.com.au · “Cummins Impeller for Key Shaft 17000K” — dealer, dieselpro.com |
From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.
Model sources (7)
hmy.com · pacificyachting.com · essexboatsales.com · palmharboryachtsales.com · curtisstokes.net · yachtr.com · curtisstokes.net
Other Marine Trader models
- Marine Trader 34 Double Cabin 1972–2001
- Marine Trader 34 Sedan 1973–2001
- Marine Trader 36 Double Cabin 1975–1993
- Marine Trader 40 Sundeck 1983–2000
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.