1979 Dreadnought Monterey

Rare Pocket Trawler — 1979 Dreadnought Monterey, Legally Trailerable at 3,500 lbs Dry Here is a genuine piece of American small-craft heritage: a hand-built 21-foot pocket trawler from Dreadnought Boat Works of Carpinteria, California — a builder celebrated for meticulous hand-laid fiberglass construction and traditional Monterey-style naval architecture. At just 3,500 lbs dry and 21 feet, this vessel is legally trailerable, opening up cruising possibilities far beyond a single home port. The traditional Monterey hull — featuring a clipper bow and rounded stern — is a time-tested design prized for its sea-kindly motion and classic good looks. The hand-laid fiberglass construction with positive foam flotation core provides both structural integrity and peace of mind. Fresh 2025 bottom paint means she is ready to splash. Power comes from a Sabb H 8 HP diesel inboard — a Norwegian-engineered engine with a legendary reputation as a world lifeboat engine. With 779 hours logged, this little diesel has proven its reliability. A backup hand-crank start and decompression lever add an extra layer of self-sufficiency that serious cruisers appreciate. Cruising speed is 5 knots with a top of 6 knots — true trawler pace for fuel-sipping, relaxed passage-making. The dual helm arrangement — a wheelhouse pedestal helm with teak spoke wheel plus a cockpit tiller — gives the skipper flexibility for all conditions. Below, the cabin has been refreshed with new mattresses and new closed-cell cushions throughout the cabin, cockpit, and helm. LED cabin lights, a porta-potty head, and a folding teak table round out the accommodations. Two large insulated built-in cockpit ice chests (port and starboard) and a full suite of teak galley accessories complete the package. A variable bronze propeller with forward and reverse, plus full operation, service, and parts manuals, convey with the sale. Trailer is included in the asking price. KEY FEATURES: • Legally Trailerable at 3,500 lbs Dry — Trailer Included At just 3,500 lbs dry, this Dreadnought qualifies as a legally trailerable vessel, and the trailer is included in the sale price. Trailerable trawlers are among the most versatile cruising platforms available — launch on any body of water, explore new regions each season, and store at home between trips. This dramatically reduces slip fees and expands your cruising range without limits. • Sabb H Diesel Inboard — World Lifeboat Engine with Hand-Crank Backup The Sabb H is a Norwegian-built single-cylinder diesel with a storied reputation for near-indestructible reliability — it was the engine of choice for lifeboats worldwide precisely because it starts and runs under the most demanding conditions. The backup hand-crank start and decompression lever mean this boat can get underway without electrical power, a meaningful safety advantage for a solo or short-handed crew. • Hand-Laid Fiberglass Hull with Positive Foam Flotation — Traditional Monterey Design Dreadnought Boat Works built these hulls by hand, one at a time, using hand-laid fiberglass over a positive foam flotation core. This construction method — rare even in 1979 — results in a hull that is both structurally robust and inherently unsinkable. The classic Monterey clipper bow and rounded stern are not just aesthetically pleasing; they are a proven offshore hull form that handles chop and following seas with composure. POWER & DRIVE: - Engine: Sabb H, 8 HP diesel inboard - - Hours: 779 - - Fuel: Diesel | 1 × 15-gallon tank - - Propeller: Variable bronze, forward and reverse - - Cruising speed: 5 knots | Max speed: 6 knots - UPGRADES & CONDITION: - 2025 bottom paint (fresh) - New mattresses and new closed-cell cushions (cabin, cockpit, helm) - LED cabin lights - Dual helm: wheelhouse pedestal (teak spoke wheel) + cockpit tiller - (2) large insulated built-in cockpit ice chests, port and starboard - Teak joinery inside and out - Full operation, service, and parts manuals included LOCATION: Escanaba, MI 49829 Trailer included — ready to tow to your launch of choice. Bridge clearance: 10 ft.