How to charter a trawler to "try out" onboard living

[abraham_hyre]

I have been into boating all my life, and have owned smaller power boats (<30ft) for 20+ years. Nearing an early retirement date, I want to explore getting my wife and I into a live-aboard trawler (42-48ft range). We would need to look for an older-but-well-maintained boat probably built in the 1985-1995 range. She is not against it but is not 100% convinced, and I would love to be able to take her for a week or more on a boat in the same class that we'd potentially purchase.
Where can I make connections with a charter service or private captain to get time on a trawler or cruiser in the class of boat we are looking for? Any suggestions on a different approach to "try it" before we buy it?

[dannc]

Originally Posted by abraham_hyre

I have been into boating all my life, and have owned smaller power boats (<30ft) for 20+ years. Nearing an early retirement date, I want to explore getting my wife and I into a live-aboard trawler (42-48ft range). We would need to look for an older-but-well-maintained boat probably built in the 1985-1995 range. She is not against it but is not 100% convinced, and I would love to be able to take her for a week or more on a boat in the same class that we'd potentially purchase.
Where can I make connections with a charter service or private captain to get time on a trawler or cruiser in the class of boat we are looking for? Any suggestions on a different approach to "try it" before we buy it?

You might want to ask/search on the Trawler Forum which is focused on power boats where as Cruising Forum is more sailing oriented.

People ask this question fairly frequently. Here is a current conversation about training that will be helpful.

https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/...ing-62097.html

There is a place you can rent trawlers in Florida, Yacht Charters Florida Trawler Charters - Sailboat Powerboat Bareboat, Grand Banks, Krogen, and Mainship Yacht Charters. We have never used the company since we are charting sailboats closer to home but figure one day we might. I have heard there is a company or companies in Anacortes WA.

Later,
Dan

[Calif.Ted]

San Juan Islands in Washington has always seemed to have a large number of trawlers available for charter. There used to be a place in Bellingham had docks full of Grand Banks. Some friends did so last fall, the area is really prime for motor cruising.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by abraham_hyre

Where can I make connections with a charter service or private captain to get time on a trawler or cruiser in the class of boat we are looking for? Any suggestions on a different approach to "try it" before we buy it?

Where are you located?

[abraham_hyre]

We live in Michigan, but would travel really anywhere in the U.S. for the right experience.

[Time2innovate]

www.trawlersgreatlakes.com

[mickand]

Southwest Florida Yachts - they have a couple of Grand Banks. Their rates drop after Easter normally.

[tuffr2]

Thinking outside the walls. Many people including me lived for awhile (6 years) in an RV. That is much easier than living on a boat. Maybe you could rent an RV just to see if that is doable. You could project that experienc to a boat.

Actually for me I not sure I could live full time on a boat. That is a hard life. Winter would be chilly at best. Getting supplies would always be an issue. No car would be a problem as well as a marina to stay in. Northern Florida gets cold

In my RV (big 5th wheel) I had cable TV, a cat, washer/dryer, plenty of room plus a truck I could drive easily to the DQ. Actually it was very comfortable. I stayed in Pennsylvania in the summer and Crystal River Florida in the winter. Even Crystal River Florida was very chilly on winter nights.

Sent from my Moto Z3 Play using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[gonesail]

I agree that Southwest Florida Yachts is a good place to consider. The Grand Banks trawlers would be an excellent choice. But if you are in Michigan then you should check out the charter outfits in the Great Lakes.

[rsn48]

I have an alternative suggested plan.

The best boating in North America is from Tacoma Washington north to Alaska, including the Southern Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, the Broughtons. But living on a boat in the off season (roughly the end of October to March) can be a chilly experience on a boat.

My suggestion is to rent a cheaper condo (or purchase) on Whidbey Island in Washington State. I have lived in Vancouver and currently Vancouver Island, but have spent many a vacation on Whidbey.

Whidbey is a downsized Vancouver Island, with the laid back living an Island has to offer. At the North end is a bridge, at the south end a short ferry ride to the mainland, literally ten or fifteen minutes. The population at the south end is mostly workers at the Boeing plant, mid Island is the most desolate and the North island the most interesting. Some suggestions for a North Island experience is Oak Harbor and Coupeville.

You would mostly live in the condo in the off season and live on your boat during the cruising season. Nordic Tugs are popular up here (note: an older Nordic Tug 32 is the same length as a new NT 34). The smaller your boat the more moorage options you have. Marinas are older up here and back in the day the most popular length for a boat was 30 feet so docks were designed for these boats.

If you are adventurist, why not fly up to Whidbey Island for a week or two vacation to check out the area. Warning: it is hard to get a boat into a marina up here, moorage might be more available around Bellingham.

Also another interesting place to live and currently you can get a moorage spot there is "Point Roberts." This is a chunk of land roughly the size of a large university campus that is really more Vancouver than it is Washington state. If you live there, you would live in Washington state, but in reality you'd do most of your shopping in the greater Vancouver area of BC.

Whidbey Island:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whidbey_Island

Point Roberts:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_Roberts,_Washington

Also ask your question in the trawler forum, you will get many more responses:

https://www.trawlerforum.com/forums/