Trawlers vs. Cruisers

Seems like every boat test you read for a 40 footer (plus or minus) puts them at 2+ mpg at displacement speeds, even if they are planing hulls. If this is true in real life and not just in boat tests, seems like any 40' sedan or convertible would be the best of both worlds. Good economy at slow speeds and the ability to get somewhere fast if you need to.
 
Scott: you got it. Just because the engines can produce a zillion HP doesent mean the boat uses that to go through the water at hull speed. Your logic is how i decided to buy my boat. Best of both worlds. It sound simple but people get all caught up in the trawler marketing hype.
 
If you want to take the next step look at some of the cats. Like a PDQ or such. Not my kinda boat but another great option IMO.
 
These are the factory specs for my 1999 sedan
according to this chart I should be able to run at idle or a little above 6.5-7.5 knots and get about 3mpg
I only travel at these speeds in no wake zones etc so I never tracked it
I typically run at 21knots at .67-.7 MPG
but i guess if I run at 'trawler' speeds I can get close to a trawlers economy - i'm just not ready for that yet :D

zf.jpg
 
Bruce
Sorry for the photo size I am sending another as a test let me know if its ok

Dolphins2.jpg
 
oldfish: diesels have died from running hard but as long as they are at proper operating temp not from running easy. That is an oldwives tale. Remember the same most popular ever 5.9L Cummins engine is rated from 150HP to 380HP, so tell me how running that engine easy is a problem??
An interesting Cat spec is time to overhaul. It is spec’ed in gallons of fuel used, 30,000 IIRC. Therein lies the clue to diesel life, use fuel slowly and live forever or quickly for a short happy life. Take your pick.
 
Thanks for the kind words about Nordhavns and their crusty old owners. The one in the picture is a 35 foot model. It's the only coastal cruiser that they make. The mast and crows nest are great for watching for coral bommies in the Carribean.

Mine is a 46. They did make a few of the Nordhavn 46s with a ketch rig sail although mine has only the steadying stail common to many types of trawlers. Emily Grace has a seperate 30 HP diesel wing engine with independant shaft and feathering prop that moves her only about 4 knots in emergencies. I understand that having a main engine failure half way across the Atlantic makes for a very bad experience.

We'll be in Narragansett Bay in late July this summer. Our hull is Stars & Stripes blue with a white bootstripe. Wave if you see us. We love all types of boats.

Tom
M/V Emily Grace
 
Rick : I will post some pics, when our guy gets back from China with a progress report. We are going in July when things are about 70% finished, for delivery in Sep07. If you do the Annapolis show, you may see it in person!
General specs can be seen on Yachtworld. and enter Seahorse for manuf. and hit enter. It is a 52 PH and the one now in Hong Kong is similar, however we have made numerous changes to that one.
 
These are some realy awsome looking boats, I've always liked looks of trawlers and am like Pasco in my perference for the older "traditional" looking boats. However I must say the spacious interiors of the "Euro" style boats are pretty impressive.
If your intended purpose is to go off-shore the full heavy displacement hull is your best choice, if inland/coastal cruising then a semi-displacement hull may be best. My choice would be keyed towards safety and sea kindlyness rather than speed for an off-shore cruiser.
 
tribble: those people who go offshore cruising often find that any boat round chine or not, except sail, needs active stabilizers
 
quote:
Originally posted by oldfishboat

I have included a link to some pics of my conversion in progress. Its a UT ( ugly Trawler ) with a DS (dry stack ) round bilge etc etc.
Click to expand...

Your UT is looking pretty good. How much work left to do?
quote:
453 DD ( 90 - 100 BHP ) burns around 2.5 gal an hour at 7.5 knots 1750 -1800 rpm. I carry about 450 IMP gal in a couple of tanks. Range safe around 1200 miles.

Very sea kindly just a nice heavy boat to run in heavy weather. I have never had a lot of success trying to outrun weather so might as well enjoy it if your in it.
Click to expand...

Sounds like you are capable of some pretty serious cruising on the IP. Time may be your only limiting factor. What are your plans for this summer?
quote:
Hope the link is OK with Les and such. Some might get a charge outa the old wood boat <grin>

http://www.vancouvermarina.com/ayc-invader.htm

Now if I had some cash a Nord or Duck , passagemaker etc would be my dream boat.

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Thanks for the pix, Willy. Be looking for you on the water. When I'm in Richmond, can I get a first hand look at your Baby? Canmar keeps their boats under cover at Van Marina and will give me access. I promise I won't touch!
OS
 
pdecat; point well taken and even though I've never been off shore in a small boat, I've read enough to realize that if you were to get rolled by a large wave the only boats I've known to survive a roll over were sail so I guess my real "extended" offshore preference would be sail boat of substantial construction.
 
I agree however mostly you dont get rolled just rolling back and forth forever. A soft chine reduces the snap of the roll but you still roll enough that most people don’t like it. Sail is still much better for crossing oceans. Slow powerboats need something preferably stabilizers though some use those klugey paravanes.
 
We have a 34' double cabin trawler and love it..Very easy on fuel with a single Lehman 120, I burn about 1.5/2 gals an hr at 1800 RPM and make around 7 knots depending on the current.This year we plan on running down to Ocracoke using the Dismal Swamp canal and returning via the Albermarle. Makes a nice loop except for the run to Norfolk from where we are on the Rappahanock. We are retired and not in a hurry.We are looking to move up soon to a 50' and do the big loop. Trawlers are the only way to go.
Dick
 
Capndick, before getting that 50'er, check on the Trent Severn Waterway from Kingston to the Georgian Bay, Ontario. It is more of a series of canals linking lakes. Seen a little of it by road. Very very pretty. Check on height restrictions & max lock size dimensions. 40' or so trawlers look to be very doable. I had a website that gave full statistics on it. Unfortunately that got lost between 2 computers.
 
My wife and I are considering a live-aboard some day.
I read about these trawlers and then I see posts where people with biger more powerful boats point out that they
can achieve the same MPG by just going slow.

So what is the advantage of trawler? Room? I would rather have the speed option when I need to outrun pirates or a storm!

Is there such thing as a marine engine that operates in 2 modes, I know they did this for cars at one point where they use 4 cylinders when less power is needed and 8 when more is needed. Or can this be accomplished by shutting down 1 engine?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Veebyes

Capndick, before getting that 50'er, check on the Trent Severn Waterway from Kingston to the Georgian Bay, Ontario. It is more of a series of canals linking lakes. Seen a little of it by road. Very very pretty. Check on height restrictions & max lock size dimensions. 40' or so trawlers look to be very doable. I had a website that gave full statistics on it. Unfortunately that got lost between 2 computers.

Click to expand...


Met a lovely couple on a Flemming 55 last summer doing the Rideau and Trent. No problem with boats that big! Definitely should be on the list of attractions for all inland cruisers.

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