Why do we love trawlers?! Well really, what’s not to love? Their comfortable cabins have spacious salons and large galleys. They’re stable, dependable, and easy to operate. They’re terrific for early- and late-season cruising, and their owners are some of the friendliest and smartest boaters out there. In short, they’re ideal vessels for enjoying the pleasures of cruising the Bay and beyond. But don’t take our word for it. We went straight to the source to learn why trawler owners are always raving about their boats and their fantastic cruises.
Tom Hale and Cristina Sison, 38-foot Helmsman Pilothouse, Tadhana
It’s a lifestyle, slow and steady. We’ve logged 12,000 miles in the last six years. With our trawler we get more interior space for the same LOA, and the picture windows allow us to sit inside (out of the sun) and still enjoy the scenery of the Bay. Trawlers are simple to operate, in that there are no adjustments to the power supply as the boat changes course or the wind changes speed. They’re generally slower than motor-yachts, and consequently burn less fuel. Underway she goes seven knots straight up wind even when it’s blowing 20 knots, and yet she still goes seven knots with no wind. We can plan on being able to go 50 to 80 miles a day if we have to. And we never get a face full of Bay water.
Jim and Tally Powell, 37-foot Present, Dawn To Dusk
We’re coming to an age where we are more comfortable in our skin and not chained to a clock. Getting there first is not as important as it once was; now it’s getting there comfortably. Trawlers demand that we take our time and enjoy the trip as much as the destination. If we get there today, fine. If not, tomorrow is good, too. More than a boat, it is a home, full of the things that please us and give us comfort. Some of us have two homes. Our favorite is our floating home. The other is the one that gets junk mail delivered to it. Our ports of call have included New Bern and Oriental, NC, and all the great coastal cities along the ICW. Even some off-beat places like Turnagain Bay have been delightful. The Dismal. The Albemarle. The Pamlico. The Chesapeake. The Virginia Cut. The Virginia Inside Passage, all great, but it’s the friends and companions we meet along the way that make the cruise special. We can go into Smith Point a dozen times, but when we tie up to a friend’s dock, or meet friends at a marina, that’s extraordinary. That’s the difference between a trip and a cruise. That’s when you get the camera out.
Barbara and Randy Semper, 37-foot Great Harbor, Lazy Dolphin
Our trawler provides comfortable living quarters with household appliances and the electrical capacity to use them. There is extensive storage space and large fuel, water, and holding tanks to support extended travel between stops. The boat provides a comfortable ride and allows us to walk around safely while underway, even in rough seas. We’ve cruised over 43,000 miles on our trawler, so far. The cruises that stand out are: The Great Loop; Chesapeake Bay to Maine; the Rideau Canal to Ottawa, Montreal, and back to Lake Champlain; the western Erie Canal to the Niagara River; and our most recent, and probably our favorite, from Southwest Florida to the Ohio and Monongahela Rivers. That cruise was several months and took us to interesting small cities and large cities with easy access to outstanding museums, restaurants, and ball parks.
Lucy and Charlie Iliff, and partners Bob and Linda Burnett, Indian Summer, 44-foot 1982 DeFever
I love our trawler and feel totally relaxed as soon as I get on it. It is so comfortable, like a little house with little upkeep. We have a large salon with two very comfortable Lazy Boy chairs, good for reading, and a table settee which folds down into a double bed. The galley is separate, which I like, and there’s a large deck that’s great for entertaining. But what I like best is the layout. We have a master bedroom and head in the back of the boat and another bedroom and head forward. This is really nice when we have guests because it gives all of us privacy. I can’t think of a more perfect boat. We took a fantastic trip north a couple years ago, and soon we’ll shove off to head south down the ICW.
Ed and Elaine Henn, 27-foot Ranger Tug
We love our boat because it’s easy to handle, economical to operate, and very well equipped for its size. Our season begins in early April (since we’re “indoors” at the helm with a good heater) and ends in late October on the Bay. When we head south for the winter, we leave in late October and return in mid-April, giving us an 18-month season from April of our departure year through October of the following year. Although we like our time on the Bay and have enjoyed several ICW cruises, we especially enjoyed our summer cruise north. After transiting New York Harbor, the Hudson River, and the Erie and Oswego Canals, we went as far as Ottawa and Montreal before heading down through Lake Champlain and back home. For those interested in purchasing a trawler, our advice is to consider exactly how and where the boat will be used, and don’t buy more boat than needed.
by Beth Crabtree