Do Trawler Folks ever Return to Sailboats?

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by rw58ph

Mark’s diesel duck trawler has sails, so he did not give it up completely. Some full displacement trawlers have sail as an option. However they do not sail well. The purpose of the sail to for stability and/or increase the range/fuel efficiency.

Although Seahorse Marine, builder of diesel ducks, built my boat, it's not one. It's a coastal cruiser with 1000+ mile range.

[Canibul]

We thought long and hard about a trawler ourselves. We like them, actually. My career was on boats with engines. Sailing is relatively new to me.

But when we realized what it would cost us to actually go anywhere, with diesel averaging about six bucks a US gallon here, it just didn't make sense.

Maybe when we retire from sailing we'll look at trawlers again. If I could find the right motorsailor, I could live with that. But they all have too much draft for our waters. Too limiting.

I guess a Catalac 12M is pretty much close to a motorsailor, in many regards. She sails better than any of the monohull motorsailers we've seen, though. We've done 7 to 8 knots all day with the main, Genoa and one 35 hp Yanmar burning a half gallon an hour.

And she's solid, with a solid rig that is not under a lot of stress, compariatively speaking. It's kinda like sailing an old English three bedroom, two bath cottage.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by markpierce

Moving from trawler to sail isn't the question. We're talking about sailboaters who have moved to trawlers and whether/why they moved back.

Not sure how you're going to go for sample size. I asked all 7 of the powerboat owners on our marina finger, and not one of them had ever owned a sailboat.

[BandB]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Not sure how you're going to go for sample size. I asked all 7 of the powerboat owners on our marina finger, and not one of them had ever owned a sailboat.

In cruising I've run across quite a few trawler owners who came from sailboats. Also, just visit a site like Trawler forums and every week or so there will be someone making that change. Of all powerboating it's most like sailing. Speeds are low. They are relatively economical to operate. It's never a point of not liking sailing, but typically one of either unable or not desiring to handle the physical aspect of sailing. With some it's a more enjoyable form of boating for their spouses. Some it's a matter of age.

Trawler boaters and sail boaters have far more in common than they have differences. In cruising they enjoy most of the same experiences other than the sails themselves and the feeling of being propelled by the wind.

Just their reasons for making that change are unlikely to reverse themselves.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Canibul

If I could find the right motorsailor, I could live with that. But they all have too much draft for our waters. Too limiting.

Shallow draft motorsailer?
1996 Brady 44 Motorsailer: Sailing Catamaran for Sale | Epoxy Composite Sail Boats | Boats Online | Queensland (Qld) - Hamilton Island, Whitsundays

[David M]

I thought sailboats are powerboats with sails? Most of them seem to have a propeller.

[gonesail]

yes when they can no longer afford to pay the fuel bill for the trawler ..

[BandB]

Originally Posted by David M

I thought sailboats are powerboats with sails? Most of them seem to have a propeller.

That would be true. Some use more sail and some use more power.

[stevensc]

I bought my Monk 36 from a couple who had been longtime sailors, they had a 40 something Shannon. They bought the trawler and had it for a year or so the wife found she didn't like powerboating. So they were going back to sailing after someone (me) bought the Monk. I guess they did but can't confirm that.
Steve W

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by StuM

Shallow draft motorsailer?
1996 Brady 44 Motorsailer: Sailing Catamaran for Sale | Epoxy Composite Sail Boats | Boats Online | Queensland (Qld) - Hamilton Island, Whitsundays

wow i like this!

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by SaltyMonkey

wow i like this!

Come on Salty.. if its got a prop your a slut.... if its got 2 your a push over..

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Come on Salty.. if its got a prop your a slut.... if its got 2 your a push over..

Got me a cold slapper a cold slapper into reality. thanks rofl!!

[markpierce]

Sailors "hanging out," seen Friday. They seemed to be a part of a small (eight or so) sailboat race.



I'm to0 old for that.

[LouVul]

As working stiffs, had 25 years of wonderful weekend, one week, two week sailing memories. Old(ish) now in our late 50s and nearing retirement, we moved to a trawler last year. Our goals have subsided with age and no longer have the desire to cross oceans - a sad fact, but true for some and a potential reason for others to go now rather than wait. That said, we are more than happy to live the micro-life rather than the macro-life and feel it has just as much to offer (a matter of focus).

Mark's topic is interesting however. There are plenty of older (than us) sailors cruising the world, but doubt many have transitioned from sail to power to sail. It's a mental transition and sometimes a physical necessity that moves sailors to power. And after a year on the trawler, I can say that the comfort and ease underway has some staying power.

That said, if someone gave us a fully found Valiant 42, you would find us happily in the French Polynesians a few years from now...

Mike

[boatman61]

This is like asking if Pedophiles are into Grandmothers... it aint gonna happen...