Eastern Shore Bill
Member
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2009
- Messages
- 9
I've lurked for long enough, and love this site.* My wife and I would like to move up to a trawler class boat for use primarily on the East Coast and south, into the Carribean and Keys --maybe even as far south as Belize.
*
It's looking like we're going to have to make some compromises on the perfect choice.* We like the feeling of the tugs, like American and Nordic, along with the ability to get to up to 18 knots or so in a pinch.* We really like the pilothouse layouts.* The negatives on the tugs for us are general lack of quality deck space, including austere fly bridges, but understand in the northwest where these boats are popular there's probably less time spent on deck in cold weather.* The tug manufactures are*active in Annapolis, where we live, and we spent time talking with them this*month at TrawlerFest and the Annapolis Boat Show.**Are they practical in the Keys and Carribean?
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We like the classic trawlers, too, like Kadey Krogen 44, Grand Banks, and comparable full displacement boats.* We love the deck space and well-appointed fly bridges.* But, my dear wife worries about going 8 knots with no ability to step it up a little to avoid bad weather.* Me, not so much.* I'm fine at 8 knots.* My main interest is solid, seaworthy and reliable.
Draft is another issue in the Carib/Keys too, *I would think.
We're even considering power catamarans, and visited the PDQ 34 this week.* Lots of space (except in the tight staterooms), and we're told they're very stable, and fuel efficient at both the classic 8 knot speed but capable of up to 20 knots --also*relatively shallow drafts.* Lots of positives there, it seems.* But for an old traditional guy like me, it's a bit of a leap of faith --and then, what about the availability of extra wide slips?
Maybe we're just over-thinking this, but wondering if we're missing a logical alternative.
May we please have your thoughts?
Thanks,
Bill
*
It's looking like we're going to have to make some compromises on the perfect choice.* We like the feeling of the tugs, like American and Nordic, along with the ability to get to up to 18 knots or so in a pinch.* We really like the pilothouse layouts.* The negatives on the tugs for us are general lack of quality deck space, including austere fly bridges, but understand in the northwest where these boats are popular there's probably less time spent on deck in cold weather.* The tug manufactures are*active in Annapolis, where we live, and we spent time talking with them this*month at TrawlerFest and the Annapolis Boat Show.**Are they practical in the Keys and Carribean?
*
We like the classic trawlers, too, like Kadey Krogen 44, Grand Banks, and comparable full displacement boats.* We love the deck space and well-appointed fly bridges.* But, my dear wife worries about going 8 knots with no ability to step it up a little to avoid bad weather.* Me, not so much.* I'm fine at 8 knots.* My main interest is solid, seaworthy and reliable.
Draft is another issue in the Carib/Keys too, *I would think.
We're even considering power catamarans, and visited the PDQ 34 this week.* Lots of space (except in the tight staterooms), and we're told they're very stable, and fuel efficient at both the classic 8 knot speed but capable of up to 20 knots --also*relatively shallow drafts.* Lots of positives there, it seems.* But for an old traditional guy like me, it's a bit of a leap of faith --and then, what about the availability of extra wide slips?
Maybe we're just over-thinking this, but wondering if we're missing a logical alternative.
May we please have your thoughts?
Thanks,
Bill