Trawler size for Caribbean

[CanuckCouple]

Hi all,

New to the forum, and hoping for some advice from experienced mariners.

Wife and I currently have a 29’ cruiser which we use on the St. Lawrence here in Ontario Canada.

As we get closer to retirement are considering a swap to a diesel trawler in the 36 - 45 ft range and were thinking of cruising down the eastern seaboard of Canada/USA and on to Cuba, Bahamas, Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean.

As it will be just the two of us, the determining factor will be open water safety.

Some modifications would probably be necessary to make long range cruising possible.

Would prefer solar charging to maintain batteries and propane appliances.

Any advice or past experience with this type of cruising would be much appreciated

DnJ

 

[AndieMac]

Hi all,

New to the forum, and hoping for some advice from experienced mariners.

Wife and I currently have a 29’ cruiser which we use on the St. Lawrence here in Ontario Canada.

As we get closer to retirement are considering a swap to a diesel trawler in the 36 - 45 ft range and were thinking of cruising down the eastern seaboard of Canada/USA and on to Cuba, Bahamas, Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean.

As it will be just the two of us, the determining factor will be open water safety.

Some modifications would probably be necessary to make long range cruising possible.

Would prefer solar charging to maintain batteries and propane appliances.

Any advice or past experience with this type of cruising would be much appreciated

DnJ

Hi and welcome.

Besides what responses you get from this forum, ask the same question on Trawler Forum, more US and Canadian oriented and focused very much on trawler yachts.

For longer term comfort and larger capacity tankage, I would look towards the 45’er, you just need the extra space, even just for family and guests who join you enroute for open ocean voyages, and once leaving Florida towards the Bahamas and beyond, you will appreciate the size of boat around you.
There are many options available in the North American market, but if you are considering heading off into the Caribbean Sea, some form of stabilisation would be advisable, especially with a displacement style cruiser, if you are looking at fuel economy and long range. Twin engine adds a bit of redundancy when cruising remote locations and makes berthing so much easier.
There is also some good YouTube channels explaining the realities and costs of solar and the associated systems, controllers, Li-ion batteries etc., “The OKellys” is one that springs to mind, but plenty of others.

Some folks panic about propane/LPG aboard, but with the proper safety protocols in place, efficient and convenient. Even as a back-up system (barbecue) if you choose electric as your main source, either through genset or inverters if going down the big capacity solar/lithium route.

Good luck with the search and the retirement cruising

 

[CanuckCouple]

AndieMac,

Thank you very much for all the information.

We will certainly read and post a n Trawler Forum.

We are leaning towards the twin engine redundancy precisely thesame reason we have2 engines in our current boat.

We will also explore YouTube as well.

Thanks again for all the advice and suggestions, they are greatly appreciated.

All the best

Hi and welcome.

Besides what responses you get from this forum, ask the same question on Trawler Forum, more US and Canadian oriented and focused very much on trawler yachts.

For longer term comfort and larger capacity tankage, I would look towards the 45’er, you just need the extra space, even just for family and guests who join you enroute for open ocean voyages, and once leaving Florida towards the Bahamas and beyond, you will appreciate the size of boat around you.
There are many options available in the North American market, but if you are considering heading off into the Caribbean Sea, some form of stabilisation would be advisable, especially with a displacement style cruiser, if you are looking at fuel economy and long range. Twin engine adds a bit of redundancy when cruising remote locations and makes berthing so much easier.
There is also some good YouTube channels explaining the realities and costs of solar and the associated systems, controllers, Li-ion batteries etc., “The OKellys” is one that springs to mind, but plenty of others.

Some folks panic about propane/LPG aboard, but with the proper safety protocols in place, efficient and convenient. Even as a back-up system (barbecue) if you choose electric as your main source, either through genset or inverters if going down the big capacity solar/lithium route.

Good luck with the search and the retirement cruising

 

[BruceK]

To add to AndieMac there is a FB group that would suit you well also. Predominantly focused on the Great Loop and Caribbean https://www.facebook.com/groups/tra...VWoz_AUVAReQ3O9iYHiHlcMiiEOls_1qWE&__tn__=C-R

 

[longjohnsilver]

AndieMac has it about right. We have a 48’ DeFever trawler Yacht, an American boat, which has been stabilised. We wouldn’t be without them! We love the space for just the 2 of us, but it’s big enough for 4 in comfort, at either end of the boat with own heads and space, but with a large wheelhouse where we can seat 6 comfortably.
We have spent up to 4 months at a time on board with no feelings of cabin fever, and have friends with similar sized boats who do exactly the same.
Althoughwe are now marina based, having been on a mooring buoy for 10 years before, we have a couple of 100W solar panels that enables us to run our fridge freezer permanently during the summer months, whilst also keeping our batteries nicely topped up. So after the stabs, I would put solar pretty high up on the priority list.
You might also want a water maker, although with our 400 gallon water capacity we can last up to 6 weeks before filling up. That includes daily showers and general washing etc, but being very careful not to waste water. It all depends on where you plan on going and for how long. Also you really want large capacity diesel tanks for long range cruising, and to enable you to buy cheap fuel when its available.
Whatever you decide on, take your time and look at as many options as possible. Enjoy the search.

 

[CanuckCouple]

BruceK

Thank you, didn’t want to mention the great loop as I did notice that most of the forum posts were from m across the pond.

Although was unaware of the fb group.

Thank you, appreciate the input and information

DnJ

To add to AndieMac there is a FB group that would suit you well also. Predominantly focused on the Great Loop and Caribbean https://www.facebook.com/groups/tra...VWoz_AUVAReQ3O9iYHiHlcMiiEOls_1qWE&__tn__=C-R

 

[AndieMac]

AndieMac has it about right. We have a 48’ DeFever trawler Yacht, an American boat, which has been stabilised. We wouldn’t be without them! We love the space for just the 2 of us, but it’s big enough for 4 in comfort, at either end of the boat with own heads and space, but with a large wheelhouse where we can seat 6 comfortably.
We have spent up to 4 months at a time on board with no feelings of cabin fever, and have friends with similar sized boats who do exactly the same.
Althoughwe are now marina based, having been on a mooring buoy for 10 years before, we have a couple of 100W solar panels that enables us to run our fridge freezer permanently during the summer months, whilst also keeping our batteries nicely topped up. So after the stabs, I would put solar pretty high up on the priority list.
You might also want a water maker, although with our 400 gallon water capacity we can last up to 6 weeks before filling up. That includes daily showers and general washing etc, but being very careful not to waste water. It all depends on where you plan on going and for how long. Also you really want large capacity diesel tanks for long range cruising, and to enable you to buy cheap fuel when its available.
Whatever you decide on, take your time and look at as many options

Ive been trying to work out what breed of trawler you have ljs, nice choice and well respected in the trawler world.

The aft cabin is also my choice of layout, keeping accomodation areas seperate, but all boats are a compromise. We have recently bought a 46’ Sea Ranger and agree with all your comments about tankage and space, as well as looking forward to some long distance cruising.

 

[Bajansailor]

I have always had a soft spot for the older Nordhavn 46 trawlers - here are 4 for sale on Yachtworld.
Nordhavn 46 boats for sale - YachtWorld
They are well proven, and many have been crossing oceans, and even going on trips around the world.

These folk crossed the Atlantic to Barbados from the Cape Verdes 4 years ago with their 46, and they are now in New Zealand.
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ai...d:446596/mmsi:367470230/imo:0/vessel:STARLET/

And there is a long thread about Nordhavns in general on the YBW Forum here - I have posted a few links re the Nordhavns that visited Barbados on the last page.
Nordhavns - the Marmite motorboat

Nordhavn Yachts – Power That's Oceans Apart From The Rest

 

[AndieMac]

I have always had a soft spot for the older Nordhavn 46 trawlers - here are 4 for sale on Yachtworld.
Nordhavn 46 boats for sale - YachtWorld
They are well proven, and many have been crossing oceans, and even going on trips around the world.

These folk crossed the Atlantic to Barbados from the Cape Verdes 4 years ago with their 46, and they are now in New Zealand.
https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ai...d:446596/mmsi:367470230/imo:0/vessel:STARLET/

And there is a long thread about Nordhavns in general on the YBW Forum here - I have posted a few links re the Nordhavns that visited Barbados on the last page.
Nordhavns - the Marmite motorboat

Nordhavn Yachts – Power That's Oceans Apart From The Rest

An excellent choice M, although usually associated with a big price tag, these older N46’s seem well priced.
The thing is though, buying a lower priced trawler and then going through a fit out to bring it to the Nord level (if it was possible) you will end up with an over capitalised boat, worth not much more than you initially paid for it.