Trawler Yachts

[britemp]

Another in my series of inane noob questions:

Motor boats described as 'trawler style' seem on the face of it to be slower and use more fuel than the more common planing type. What are the advantages then of these trawlers? I assume they might be better in rough seas, but is there any other reason to choose one over a more conventional motor cruiser?

And what the hell is a davit!


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Greg2]

Don't think they use more fuel - tend to be displacement or semi-displacement speeds so often less used.
Depends upon taste I suppose - I like boats that look like boats, don't go much for the stuff that is turned out now (jelly moulds as one erudite forumite refferred to them to me recently)

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[BrendanS]

Davits and many other nautical terms <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~morris3/LeverSALex.html>http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~morris3/LeverSALex.html</A>

Might be useful for reference

<hr width=100% size=1>There is no such thing as "fun for the whole family."

 

[truebrit]

A davit is the mini-crane you see with tenders or lifeboats hanging off,I dont need one cos my boat is only as big as most tenders!!!

<hr width=100% size=1>Mike....... V8s are sweet music

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

There are trawler yacht and there are trawler yachts. At one end of the scale you have the hard chined type hulls such as Trader and other Taiwanese makes which are semi planing and their only tenuous connection with trawlers is the fact that they look a bit more traditional than the average gin palace. But dont think that these boats are inherently more seaworthy than a planing boat 'coz they're not. They're big, heavy and because of their hull shape they use a lot more fuel at planing speeds than a full planing boat. Buy these boats because they vast inside not because you plan to cross the Channel regularly in a F8
At the other end of the trawler yacht scale, you have full displacement trawler yachts like Nordhavn and Krogen. These are genuinely seaworthy long range motorboats, a few of which have even done circumnavigations. But, they have cruising speeds in the 6-9 knot range
Somewhere in the middle between these two are Grand Banks and the like which have a more rounded hull shape but are also designed to operate at low planing speeds, say 12 - 18knots but, like Traders, they use a lot of fuel to do it. However GB's are very well constructed, also very pricey, but are well known for being good sea boats because they are heavy and deep keeled
If you want to cruise at 20knots or more, buy a proper planing boat. If you are happy at slower speeds, particularly displacement speeds, then a trawler type yacht could be a good choice, particularly if you want to carry a lot of gear and people


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[milltech]

Trawler Yachts, as opposed to trawler types, didn't used to use more fuel. At some time in the 1980's someone decided that they'd be more popular if they ditched the 120 hp Fords and started stuffing in bigger and bigger horse power.

It seems to me like trying to reconcile opposites, I'd choose one with small engines and enjoy the space on board.

Going fast on water is great fun but the universal truth is that you soon get used to the speed so they are never fast enough. All boats spend 99% of their time moored up so it has always seemed more useful to have lots of space on board rather than more horses in the basement.

Now real trawler types, that is those based on, or converted from, North Sea Trawlers, well I can write paragraphs about those and have owned a couple, but I'll spare you.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[MapisM]

Trawler - what does that really mean?

You are actually right with your statement. "Trawler STYLE" boats do have those drawbacks.
Maybe the reason for their success is just that they became fashionable, in the last years.
REAL trawlers are totally different. The following statement from Peter Sever explains that nicely:

'A trawler “look” does not a trawler make. A true trawler is a full displacement power vessel with a relatively deep ballasted hull, with low center of gravity and high weight-carrying capacity relative to its size. It is designed for cargo capability, fuel capacity (distance) and safety in bad seas. Commercial trawlers “trawl” – i.e. drag nets to catch fish. They go to sea for days and weeks, sometimes months at a time, with no turning back for gales. They need torque to drag those nets and a boat capable of handling torque. Then they have to carry the fish home, which represents a lot of weight, so they need serious cargo capability and stability under load.'



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Talon2]

We had a similar post to yours last month. This was my contribution.

Having owned a trawler yacht for a number of years they are great boats, lots of room, pretty good sea keeping, very economical on the fuel and very easy to 'park'. However on the down side is if you want them to look nice it is a bit like the Forth Bridge - you are for ever scrapping and varnishing wood. You can use wood oil but all previous traces of varnish has to be removed and the finish will never look as good as half a dozen coats of varnish. A well looked after trawler is a pleasure to see, one that does not have TLC looks a load of cr-p!!



<hr width=100% size=1>Keith

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.mobiledit.co.uk>http://www.mobiledit.co.uk</A>

 

[milltech]

Re: Trawler - what does that really mean?

....and I can tell you they're very comforting "after" a storm. I had a 63' Buckie built Herd & Mackenzie and we left Buckie in an easing force 9, however that didn't stop it being damn rough 12 hours later heading for England as the coast moved further away and we lost all shelter.

I was sick as a dog, learning for the first time that I get sea sick if at sea for more than 8 hours, but to witness her crashing into these big seas and shrugging them off like so much cotton wool was to build a confidence in that type of hull that will never leave me.

BTW she was called "Andrea Ferrara" and if anyone knows where she is now I would quite like to know.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[foxgoose]

IMHO one of the main advantages of the type is they have decks that humans can run around and do things on - like mooring, anchoring and fending off uncooperative bits of land.

I've been used to doing all of this on my way up the learning curve with my little Botnia Targa.

Now I'm looking at boats in the med where they're nearly all "jellymoulds" and I can't even stand on the foredecks safely - let alone run along the side decks.

I think I have a poor sense of balance and I need a boat I can singlehand but I fear if I buy a sportboat I'll definitely end up sleeping with the fishes!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ccscott49]

Re: Trawler - what does that really mean?

She is in Vilanova in Spain and looking grand! Bloke looks after her like a baby, he`s pulling the galvanised nails as they show signs of rust and replacing them. I saw her last year, when I was out of the water in the same yard.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[milltech]

Re: Trawler - what does that really mean?

I sold her to a German gent by the name of Grote, do you know if the owner was German when you saw her? (Not that I'm in the market, just interested).

She was cascovered from new so I assume the pulled nails were just to cure topside staining.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>

 

[milltech]

My thoughts exactly! I also like single handing and the ability to walk fast round the decks without fear of falling is essential, and so is a low freeboard for getting on an off quickly and easily, (getting on being the more important). All so-called "classic" style trawler yachts and real trawler designs share the walk-round design feature but the low freeboard seems limited to the Grand Banksie types. I'm also interested in ex. lifeboats of 1960's vintage for the same reason.

<hr width=100% size=1>John
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.allgadgets.co.uk>http://www.allgadgets.co.uk</A>