Are trawlers limited to coastal crusing?

[TooCoys]

How do trawlers like this one, without much free board, perform on open ocean waters. And by ocean I mean Gulf of Mexico - i.e. Texas to Florida or Caribbean?

It's a 44' boat, but it just doesn't seem "big" because the sides are so shallow.

[capngeo]

It depends on the boat. I drove tugs with almost no freeboard at all, but all of the openings in the deck house were watertight. the first non-watertight door was in the wheelhouse about 16' above the waterline.

[a64pilot]

In the Gulf nothing is more than maybe three days, probably less with a boat that size. You can almost always pick a two day weather window so I think it would be fine. I would have no concern.



Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Steadman Uhlich]

If you are looking at trawlers, a very good forum is a sister site to CF and is called Trawler Forum.

Lots of typical questions discussed in the archives there.
Some of the members there are also members here on CF, and several contribute to the Power Forum here on CF and in other forums too. Lots of experience with power yachts. Many friendly people and many who have transitioned from owning sailboats to trawlers, something I may do in the future too.

Trawler Forum

[barnakiel]

Everything can be done if you know what you are doing and if you have some luck.

The boat you pictured does not look like a typical open ocean toy. But longer sailings can be split into shorter, more manage'able passages.

If the structure is strong, the boat may make it all right.

b.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by TooCoys

How do trawlers like this one, without much free board, perform on open ocean waters. And by ocean I mean Gulf of Mexico - i.e. Texas to Florida or Caribbean?

It's a 44' boat, but it just doesn't seem "big" because the sides are so shallow.

Just guessing, based on looks and not much else... looks like an OK candidate, to me.

Might need to pay attention to weather windows, but otherwise seems like maybe viable.

FWIW, there's a difference between "open ocean" and coastal ocean.

-Chris

[a64pilot]

His route, Tx to Fl to Caribbean, ( I'm assuming Bahamas here, Caribbean is rather large) the longest leg is from Dog Island to Tarpon springs.
I go from Panama City to Clearwater myself, but it's essentially an overnight run as I bet that boat will run 10 kts to my 6.
I've seen many a less Sea Worthy boat leave for Clearwater myself with no problem.

On edit using my phone Dog Island to Anclote key is 131 NM, if at 10 kts, that's 13 hours.
21 hours at 6 kts, either way a one day trip.

[roverhi]

Freeboard has little to do with the seaworthiness of a design. Most sailboats of similar length That are 'bluewater' capable have equal or less freeboard as the trawler. Yes, if the boat has hatches that can't be sealed it could be an issue. I'd be more concerned about the weight and windage of the topsides which seems to be substantial.

[ranger58sb]

Originally Posted by roverhi

I'd be more concerned about the weight and windage of the topsides which seems to be substantial.

Probably no more weight above than we have. Our hardtop adds a fair bit... much more than would the soft bimini top on that boat pictured.

There'll be a pendulum effect, but the design accounts for all that.

More windage than on a low-slung express boat (or most sailboats), since you can't take a reef in a flying bridge, but that's just something to get used to.

-Chris

[firefly 2]

We have had our 44' trawler in 10 to 15 foot sea's, Green water over the bow, and 8 to 10 sea's on the mississippi sound. They take the waves good if on the bow, beam sea's are bad. You might have to tack a bit.

[Sea Life]

The boat is a thompson. You need to clarify "trawler", as they come in all shapes and designs. Some are worthy, some are not. I left Maryland a year ago, and am currently in Panama. The down side is the full displacement ones that are more ocean capable usually cost a premium over the others. Egret a 46 Nordhavn has circumnavigated. Several Krogen 42s have crossed the Atlantic, mine included, one KK42 "oogachaka" crossed the pacific. Willard os another.

Happy shopping

[Comix Bay]

Just look up Fleming Yachts and watch a couple of his videos. He has traveled the worlds oceans in 'Trawler' type vessels.

Ted VA7YQQ
Comox, BC

[mickelsen]

Looking at your boat the freeboard is one matter the superstructure is another matter and that does concern me. Between a rolling sea and a stiff breeze she is going to be a handful and not very pleasant to those on board. I have been in this business at all levels yet I cannot tell what yard may have built her and is she a cold molded?
What is her draft and are we dealing with a single or twin? She is an aft cabin vessel which is wear most will want to hang our to avoid the rolling and pitching. I harbor misgivings.
Capt. Peter Mickelsen

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by TooCoys

How do trawlers like this one, without much free board, perform on open ocean waters. And by ocean I mean Gulf of Mexico - i.e. Texas to Florida or Caribbean?

It's a 44' boat, but it just doesn't seem "big" because the sides are so shallow.

What is she a Thompson or a Nelsen who bought the molds? I see nothing wrong with the hull well made. Many were commercial shrimpers bandit boats or longliners.

I wouldn't want the flying bridge and Bimini just for windage.

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by firefly 2

We have had our 44' trawler in 10 to 15 foot sea's, Green water over the bow, and 8 to 10 sea's on the mississippi sound. They take the waves good if on the bow, beam sea's are bad. You might have to tack a bit.

What follows is written in a sincerely friendly tone of voice.

That would make a nice video to see.

Do you have any video? If so, please post or send a link.

I would like to see how typical trawler yachts respond to seas.