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geobill · 26-04-2012, 12:09

Hello All,
I am looking at this type of trawler to cruise/putter around the PNW. More specifically Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. I would like to use it as a base for biking and kayaking with my partner. I usually have a fair bit of time off so the trips would be in the week to three week ranges.
Are these type of trawlers too rolly, too much maintenance, are they stable enough for the weather in the area?

1984 Ash Benford Trawler Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Thanks for your replies.

senormechanico · 26-04-2012, 12:46

Most anchorages in the San Juans and Gulf Islands don't have problems with being rolly.
In the rare instance you encountered swell, you could always put a flopper stopper over the side.

http://setsail.com/wp-content/upload...topper-159.jpg

It looks like a good boat for the money, and probably pretty easy on fuel as well.

jackdale · 26-04-2012, 13:19

I would think it would be OK. There are a couple of crossings you would not want to make in bad weather on any boat.

I will second the previous speaker.

A surveyor will be able to point out any problem areas that could lead to mainteance issues.

japarker11 · 26-04-2012, 16:03

Patience. That is what you will need. You do not usually need to worry about swells and flopping at nearly all the anchorages on the inside. With the windage of a trawler and the low horsepower, you will need to plan crossings. That is where the patience comes into play. Issues with the propulsion gear will be your biggest exposure. Put a little more horsepower on the dingy for redundancy! If the engine can be started reliable, it sounds like a great plan for cruising this area for which I have had a pocket cruiser for over 25 years.

geobill · 27-04-2012, 16:44

Thanks for your replies.
I have sailed(motored/sail) up the inside passage from Victoria to Bella-Bella in a small sailboat so I developed a fair bit of patience from that experience

.

I have been looking at a number of converted fishing trawlers ( I like the look/saltiness of them) but have no experience at their maintenance/problems.

Cheers

Cheechako · 27-04-2012, 17:12

i see that the hull material is listed as "composite". Not sure what that means... could mean fiberglassed over an old wooden boat structure. If so.... run! The diesel seems a little small for a trawler, but would probably suffice at 35 HP. The 32 ft trawler I had was 85 HP.

bobconnie · 27-04-2012, 17:30

Looks like a good hull, pretty sure its a planned composite hull rather then an old wooden boat glassed over !It sure looks fair and in good shape at least in the pics shown. Its under powerd, but it would sure get ya where ya want to go with good planning, and you will be sippen fuel !!It will be a good boat for the area ! just my 2 cents

Bash · 27-04-2012, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

i see that the hull material is listed as "composite". Not sure what that means... could mean fiberglassed over an old wooden boat structure. If so.... run! The diesel seems a little small for a trawler, but would probably suffice at 35 HP. The 32 ft trawler I had was 85 HP.

Often, "composite" refers to stitch-and-glue fiberglass over plywood.

Regardless, it sure seems to be a sweet boat, and with that 35-horse BMW it ought to be fairly economical on fuel. I spent a week chartering a very similar trawler up in the Gulf Islands, and found it to be ideal for those cruising grounds. If it were me, I'd add a radar, a kayak rack, and upgrade the ground tackle, but otherwise, as long as you're planning your trip around the tides, I think it would be a sweet boat for PNW gunkholing.

geobill · 29-04-2012, 16:30

The addition of a radar,kayak rack, ground tackle, (keg of beer) were the things I was thinking about adding. Just finished the last days of skiing for the year, time to get on to the water.

alohaboat · 30-04-2012, 08:06

This boat looks like a good buy. It is a true trawler which means that 35 hp is more than adequate for maximum hull speed which is about 6.25 knots. I am not a fan of BMW marine engines because of the difficulty and expense of getting replacement parts.

Cheechako · 30-04-2012, 08:59

Yeah, the BMW's I've been exposed to were pretty rough running at low rpms.... but that's been years ago. Cool looking boat..... In the PNW, you want plenty of HP for those currents up to 12 knots! The boat just looks to good to be true at that price... know what I mean...? Wish it was closer...

SkiprJohn · 30-04-2012, 19:00

Composite could mean several things. The one I'm familiar with is strips of marine ply soaked in epoxy and bent and stapled in layers diagonally to one another. It is a very strong and light form of hull layup and should last as long as solid fiberglass. It is worth asking what type of hull layup this boat is because it looks like a really nice one.
kind regards,