Looking for your opinions and criticism

[James S]

I don’t mean to imply that these engines are bad....only that if the member is considering buying and using this boat, with this aged engine, then this is a very real scenario to consider.

[Liberty28]

Originally Posted by Ex-Calif

If you are old and rich a sailboat will make you old and poor
If you are young and poor a sailboat will make you bankrupt

If you are young and poor a powerboat will make your children bankrupt

The above quote may be a slight exaggeration, but only slightly. Think well before you buy!!!!!! Good luck, mate.

[CaptHead]

I laugh at the sailboaters here that all say "the air is free". They all use their engines to go to Catalina and most use them coming back. When we get a nice blow of 20-30 kt winds they never go out and I see powerboats out there. Also, the most laughable is when I see vessle Assist towing a sailboat into the marina and the sail cover is wrapped up neatly.

I knew a couple who had a West Sail 32 or whatever it was and they went out when we had winds over 30 every time. They wanted the experience of sailing in strong winds, but that is the only couple I have ever met in the 28 years here in this marina who would.

I own a trawler and love the space and the slow pace I have. It is remarkably quiet too. When I am on the flying bridge the only thing you can feel is the slight vibration of the engines and you can't hear a thing. I recommend this cruising style to all.

[boatpoker]

My 1971 C&C custom, 37' trawler with a single Perkins HT6-354, 165hp and 20,000 hours on it runs at 1.6US gallons per hour at 1600RPM that takes it from Toronto to Dry Tortugas and back on less than 800 gallons.

Don't get focused on a specific brand of trawler, try to find a one-off or a lesser known brand with a real displacement hull as these are much less expensive to run than the psuedo trawler Monks, Grand Banks or Marine Traders.

Try to find one with a Lehman or Perkins which were designed for lower RPM work.
Don't be afraid of a turbo, mine went 20,000 hours before rebuild. Just get a good survey and a good diesel mechanic to go over everything.

Good luck

A brand name (real) trawler hull such as a Nordhaven or Krogen is financially out of reach according to your self description.

[quidam]

My two cents worth

The wind is free but the sails, and rigging are'nt. There have been several comparisons between the cost of sail and power cruising and they are pretty close, although the recent spike in fuel prices probably has changed that some.

If you want to cruise on a trawler yacht type vessel, and you dont have deep pockets, I recommed you find one with a full displacement hull and a single engine.

I also don't like detroit diesels mainly because they are very loud.

[BadFish]

Well that's a fancy lookin boat ya got there. Holy crap, is that a washing machine? Looks nice, but before you can ride a gal that old ya got to get up in her guts and have a look around... Ya know?

Cheers

Bill