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DeFever 41 Trawler

Built 1980–1995 by Bluewater Marine (Taiwan)

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About the DeFever 41 Trawler

Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.

Illustration of a DeFever 41 Trawler
Illustration, not a photo of this model. AI-generated illustration of a typical twin-engine flybridge trawler.
Built
1980–1995
Builder
Bluewater Marine (Taiwan)
Designer
Arthur DeFever
Length
40.58 ft
Waterline
34.58 ft
Beam
14.17 ft
Draft
4 ft
Displacement
23,000 lb
Hull
fiberglass
Hull / keel
semi-displacement
Propulsion
inboard
Fuel
400 gal
Water
250 gal
Holding
40 gal
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
  • Fuel 400 gal
    “Fuel Tank Capacity (gal): 400 gallons” — search excerpt (1983), marinesource.com · “400 gallons across 2 steel tanks” — search excerpt, denisonyachtsales.com · “500 gallons of fuel” — search excerpt (1982), boattrader.com
    Listings mostly agree on 400 gal in two tanks; one 1982 boat is listed with 500. No builder or owners' club figure was found for the 41.
  • Water 250 gal
    “Water Tank Capacity (gal): 250” — search excerpt (1983), marinesource.com · “250 gallons of fresh water in a stainless steel tank” — search excerpt, denisonyachtsales.com · “200 gallons of water” — search excerpt (1982), boattrader.com
    Listings mostly agree on 250 gal; one says 200.
  • Holding 40 gal
    “a 50-gallon holding tank” — search excerpt (1982), boattrader.com
    Only one listing gives a holding size, 50 gal, against our earlier 40; a single listing isn't enough to change it.
  • Water heater unknown
    No size found; one 1978 listing has a newer, larger replacement heater.

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
  • Steering unknown
    The DeFever Cruisers design page describes layout and single-engine economy only; no builder, association or review source on steering or thrusters was found.

Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.

Sources disagree on standard engine — left blank rather than guessed.

Traditional trunk-cabin trawler on a solid fiberglass hull with long keel protecting prop and rudders. Galley aft in salon; aft stateroom has cockpit door. Powered by a single 210 hp Cummins or twin 135 hp Lehmans (7-8 knots cruise). Not every boat has teak decks: a 1980 example discussed on Trawler Forum has a plain fiberglass deck.

Engines fitted

Boats of the same model can differ — check which engines yours actually has before ordering parts.

Generator

Only single broker listings: an Onan generator (size not given) on a 1983 boat, and an Onan 4 kW on a boat listed as a 1978 DeFever 41, outside the 1980-95 years we list for this model. No builder document or review was found.

Known problems for this model

Engines & parts

Perkins 6.354 / T6.354 parts: limited

Factory standard engine — you entered “Perkins 6.354 (naturally aspirated)”

Inline six of about 354 cu in, naturally aspirated or turbocharged (T6.354.4 around 240 hp). TAD still builds complete marinized 6.354 packages and sells parts; owners on the Hatteras forum report some parts for older versions getting harder to find and marine cooling parts (multi-cooler, heat exchangers) being expensive.

Parts sources: Trans Atlantic Diesels (TAD), Perkins official parts shop

Common problems (2)
  • Persistent oil leaks engine
    Owners describe the 6.354 as a habitual oil leaker because of its seals, meaning regular bilge cleanup.
    samsmarine.com
  • Multi-cooler and heat exchanger costs cooling
    Mixed metals in the raw water circuit mean frequent heat exchanger and gasket work, and the turbo model's multi-cooler is a known weak and costly part.
    samsmarine.com
Maker’s service schedule (9)
Engine oil & filter change
general periods, all applications (1970 workshop manual)
200 hrs or 4 mo
“Every 5,000 Miles (7,500 km), 200 Hours or 4 Months — Drain and renew engine lubricating oil. Renew lubricating oil filt” — manufacturer, archive.org
Turbocharger inspection
T6.354 — turbocharger oil filter (where fitted)
200 hrs or 4 mo
“Turbocharged Engines. Renew turbocharger lubricating oil filter element (where fitted).” — manufacturer, archive.org
Turbocharger inspection
T6.354 — turbocharger cleaning
800 hrs
“Every 20,000 Miles (30,000 km), 800 Hours ... Turbocharged Engines. Clean turbocharger impeller, diffuser and oil drain” — manufacturer, archive.org
Drive belts inspect / replace
general periods, all applications (1970 workshop manual)
200 hrs or 4 mo
“Every ... 200 Hours or 4 Months ... Check drive belt tension.” — manufacturer, archive.org
Clean fuel water trap
general periods, all applications (1970 workshop manual)
200 hrs or 4 mo
“Every ... 200 Hours or 4 Months ... Clean water trap.” — manufacturer, archive.org
Clean fuel lift pump gauze strainer; check hoses and clips
general periods, all applications (1970 workshop manual)
400 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 10,000 Miles (15,000 km), 400 Hours or 12 months — Clean lift pump gauze strainer. ... Check hoses and clips.” — manufacturer, archive.org
Air filter / intake silencer
dry-type air cleaner
800 hrs
“Every 20,000 Miles (30,000 km), 800 Hours ... Clean element of dry type air cleaner or renew.” — manufacturer, archive.org
Injector test / service
general periods, all applications (1970 workshop manual)
2,400 hrs
“Every 60,000 Miles (90,000 km), 2,400 Hours ... Service atomisers.” — manufacturer, archive.org
Valve clearance check / adjust
general periods, all applications (1970 workshop manual)
2,400 hrs
“Every 60,000 Miles (90,000 km), 2,400 Hours ... Check and adjust tappets.” — manufacturer, archive.org
Service part numbers (7)
Oil filter
T6.354 / HT6.354 (Lancing); go2marine fit list covers 6.354M as well
Perkins 2654403
“Oil Filter (Length 130mm) - 2654403” — dealer, lancingmarine.com · “Fits: Perkins - ... 6.354, 6.354M, A6.354, H6.354, H6.354M, HT6.354, HT6.354M, T6.354, T6.354M ... Replaces: Perkins 265” — dealer, go2marine.com
Fuel filter Perkins 4326658
Replaces 26561117
Also: Delphi (CAV) 296
“A genuine Perkins 6.354 fuel filter - OE Part No. 4326658” — dealer, parts4engines.com · “Fuel Filter (296) Was 26561117 Now 4326658” — dealer, lancingmarine.com
Raw-water impeller
Jabsco 9990-41 (or obsolete 9990-21) 3/4-inch barrel pump
Jabsco 1210-0001
“T / H / HT 6.354 M 9990-41 040 3/4" NPT Barrel SK268 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com · “Sea Water Pump - 9990-41” — dealer, lancingmarine.com
Raw-water impeller
Jabsco 9700-series 1-inch flanged pump (9700-01, -04, -141, -151)
Jabsco 17937-0001
“6.354 9700-01 080 1" Flanged Flange SK238 890 17937-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com
Raw-water pump kit
Jabsco 9990-41 pump
Jabsco SK268
“T / H / HT 6.354 M 9990-41 040 3/4" NPT Barrel SK268 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com
Raw-water pump kit
Jabsco 9700-01 pump
Jabsco SK238
“6.354 9700-01 080 1" Flanged Flange SK238 890 17937-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com
Raw-water pump kit
Jabsco 9700-151 / 9700-04 pump
Jabsco SK238-01
“6.3543 M 9700-04 080 1" Flanged Flange SK238-01 3101 17937-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.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 optional 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 change200 hrs
“Every 200 hours of operation ..... Change Engine Oil & Filter. And Transmission Oil.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com
Fuel filters & water separator200 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 impeller200 hrs
“Every 200 hours of operation ..... Replace raw water pump impeller.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test1,200 hrs
“Every 1200 hours of operation ..... Flush cooling system. Replace anti-freeze.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com
Exhaust mixing elbow inspection200 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 speed200 hrs
“Every 200 hours of operation ..... Check idling speed, adjust if required.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com
Check coolant and oil hoses200 hrs
“Every 200 hours of operation ..... Check condition of all coolant and oil hoses.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com
Check engine mount bolts200 hrs
“Every 200 hours of operation ..... Check all engine mount bolts.” — manufacturer (1987), marinedieselbasics.com
Replace thermostats3,600 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 damper2,500 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.

Volvo Penta TAMD41 (A/B/D/H/P) parts: limited

Factory optional engine — you entered “Volvo Penta TAMD40 / TAMD41”

Owner experience is mixed: some say legacy Volvo parts are slow to arrive and expensive, others find them with some searching and cite third-party replacements for coolers and other parts. Small turbo repair kits exist, but some turbo shafts are not offered by Volvo.

Parts sources: Power Products Systems (genuine Volvo Penta parts), US Boatworks (NLA Volvo parts)

Common problems (2)
  • Aftercooler, oil cooler and raw water pump work cooling
    Owners report rebuilding aftercoolers, replacing a holed oil cooler and replacing raw water pumps; overheating is often traced to raw water supply problems such as a poorly sealing strainer.
    trawlerforum.com · forums.ybw.com
  • Turbo repairs exhaust
    Turbo seals are cheap to kit, but once shaft parts are needed Volvo does not supply them and costs rise.
    marineengine.com
Maker’s service schedule (25)
Engine oil & filter change
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
100 hrs or 1 yr
“SERVICE EVERY 100 HOURS OF OPERATION OR AT LEAST ONCE PER SEASON” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Oil filter change
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“The oil filter is to be changed the first time after 20 hours of operation and then after every 200 hours of operation.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Transmission fluid change
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“SERVICE EVERY 200 HOURS OF OPERATION OR AT LEAST ONCE PER SEASON” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Air filter / intake silencer
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“The airfilter must be replaced every 200 hours of operation or once each season.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Replace crankcase-ventilation filter
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“The airfilter for the crankcase-ventilation (1) must be changed every 200 hours of operation or once per season” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Valve clearance check / adjust
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Checking and adjusting the valve clearance should be carried out by an authorized Volvo Penta Dealer.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Raw-water pump impeller
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Inspect the impeller. If the impeller is damaged, it must be replaced.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Turbocharger inspection
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“TURBOCHARGER, Check airtube and connections for leakage” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Drive belts inspect / replace
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
1 yr
“Replace belts once per year using only genuine Volvo Penta belts.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
1 yr
“Fresh water system should be drained and flushed once per year.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Clean sea-water filter (AQAD41 drive installations)
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
50 hrs
“SERVICE EVERY 50 HOURS OF OPERATION” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Grease drive primary shaft and steering-shaft journal (AQAD drive)
TMD41A / TAMD41A / AQAD41A (operator's manual 7749437)
50 hrs
“Grease the fitting with a grease-gun until grease is forced out at the journals.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Engine oil & filter change
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
100 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 100 operating hours/At least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Fuel filters & water separator
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Air filter / intake silencer
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Replace crankcase-ventilation filter
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Raw-water pump impeller
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Drive belts inspect / replace
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Check exhaust system
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series) - anti-corrosion-agent coolant
200 hrs or 1 yr
“If the freshwater system is filled with an anti-corrosion agent mixture it must be changed every year.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Coolant replacement & freeze-point test
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series) - glycol antifreeze coolant
2 yrs
“If the freshwater system is filled with an antifreeze (glycol) mixture it must be changed every other year.” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Valve clearance check / adjust
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs
“Every 200 operating hours:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Turbocharger inspection
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
200 hrs
“Every 200 operating hours:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Transmission fluid change
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series) - reverse gear
200 hrs or 1 yr
“Every 200 operating hours or at least once a year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Replace propeller-shaft seal (reverse-gear installations, workshop)
TAMD41H / TAMD41M / TAMD41P (1999 instruction book 7740088, 31-43 series)
500 hrs or 5 yrs
“Every 500 operating hours or at least every fifth year:” — manufacturer, princessklubben.se
Service part numbers (6)
Oil filter Volvo Penta 471034
“p.91 "TMD41, TAMD41, AQD41, AQAD41" block: Oil filter — 471034” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Volvo Penta part number: 471034 … TAMD41A / TAMD41B / TAMD41P-A / TMD41A” — dealer, marisolmarine.com
Raw-water impeller Volvo Penta 21951356
Replaces 3841697, 877061
“p.91 "TMD41, TAMD41, AQD41, AQAD41" block: Impeller kit — 21951356” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “Volvo Penta 21951356, 3841697, 877061 … AD41A, AQAD41A, AQD41A, D41A, TAMD41A, TMD41A” — dealer, repowermarine.com
Zinc / anode
early models
Volvo Penta 838929
“p.91 "TMD41, TAMD41, AQD41, AQAD41" block: Engine zinc anode (early models) — 838929” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta TAMD41B … [ANODE] Part Number: 838929” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com
Air filter
metal filter housing
Volvo Penta 858488
“p.91 "TMD41, TAMD41, AQD41, AQAD41" block: Air filter (metal filter housing) — 858488” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta TAMD41B … [AIR FILTER INSERT] Part Number: 858488” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com
Thermostat Volvo Penta 3831424
“# Volvo Penta TAMD41B … [THERMOSTAT KIT] Part Number: 3831424” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.com · “Volvo Penta Thermostat kit 31 41 42 43 44 Series - 3831424 … TAMD41H-A … TAMD41P-A, TMD41L-A” — dealer, marinedustrie.com
Crankcase ventilation filter
up to SN 2204141572
Volvo Penta 876069
“p.91 "TMD41, TAMD41, AQD41, AQAD41" block: Crankcase filter (SN - 2204141572) — 876069” — manufacturer, volvopenta.com · “# Volvo Penta TAMD41B … [FILTER] Part Number: 876069” — dealer, marinepartsexpress.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 (8)

hmy.com · trawlerforum.com · pacificyachting.com · murrayyachtsales.com · knot10.com · trawlerforum.com · trawlerforum.com · trawlerforum.com

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Other DeFever models

Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.