Tow B or Not Tow B

[Clivepc]

Okay, just for the sake of discussion, and welcome all comments.

I keep being torn between a Trailer trawler (TT) or a larger more "Static" vessel..
I say static because we want to live in the PNW but want to explore the ICW
and do the loop..
A decent sized Trailer Trawler would be 31 ft max.
TT has obvious pluses of less cost for maintenance, mooring, fuel (Ish) ease of self maintenance, and mobility by road, poor storage, less stable.
larger vessel (40 ish) has better stability, more realistic live aboard, single engine could still be fairly economic but twins not so much, storage is realistic.
and many 40 ish boats can be purchased for similar price to the TT.

Understanding you, or we can't really know at this point really how many times we might actually tow a 30 ft boat (Although I do have a CDL and love a road trip)
I'd love to hear your thoughts on why you have one or the other.. (Or both..)

Cheers,
Clive C.
TBW

 

[RedRascal]

If you plan to live on it for extended periods of time do you have other experiences that indicate a 30ish footer will work for you? Some folks can live fine in under 30 feet and others not so much.

 

[Comodave]

If you do the loop you could easily spend a year doing it. 30’ would not be comfortable for a year for us. Our 41’ would be about the minimum for us to spend a year on.

I enjoy trailering large boats, did it for years out west. Keep in mind some eastern states have some stricter limits on oversize towing.

 

[rsn48]

My favourite rant, remember you are dealing with an international community. And, the people on the East coast aren't so familiar with the Best Coast, and vice versa. As to what is happening in the middle of the states, who knows.

So in your whatever its called, bio along the side - where to heck is Eagle. Usually I can Google Map and come up with the answer, but this time I get all kinds of eagle stuff.

So if you trailer, 98 % of the time the trailer is going to be sitting around doing nothing, so storage or space where it goes when you aren't using it could be an issue and a cost. If you do a commercial trailering, big expense. Everything is a big expense once you get into trailering as the trailer itself is a big expense, then prepping the boat is an expense for highway travel. So will you have the budget for it.

A few people in the PNW get a smaller boat and trailer it, this makes more sense to me, but may not to you. You can take your boat from wherever in the state of Washington and put it in somewhere in Alaska, or Vancouver Island to access the Broughtons and Desolation Sound. This option is becoming more popular. But the key here is smaller. Maybe something like a Cutwater 28 for example.

Size of boats is very similar to size in RV', it's a head thing. Can you be happier in something smaller. My experience with RV's for me and my observations of a number of marina's I've had boats at are the same. A smaller boat is a more spontaneous happening, generally folks go out more often in them. Same with smaller trailers, dragged all over the place. Very large trailers are white knuckle affairs towing through places like - say, Seattle.

Large boats don't go out as much at a marina, this having boats at Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Mosquito Creek marina, Sewell's Marina, a marina in Coal Harbour (I've blanked out on the name), French Creek Marina and now currently in Comox Marina. Big boats may go out longer but definitely not as frequently.

If you are coming to the Pacific Northwest, you have enough coastal area to keep you going for a lifetime when you throw in British Columbia and Alaska. In BC, the coast line distance as the crow flies is 600 miles from the southern border with Washington and the northern border with Alaska. But if you measure all of the coast line, with islands (the number is in the thousands), inlets, fjords, sounds, et al, you have 25,000 miles of coast to explore. And I'm not counting anything in Washington and Alaska.

This is my way of saying, you have so much to do here, and some challenging water to improve your maritime skills, with incredible dramatic geography, it might not be that important if you don't do the ICW. You could boat here a lifetime and not repeat much if you wanted to.

 

[Brisyboy]

Hey rsn48, just to clarify, are you saying that the people on the other side of your country make up the "international community". Does that mean those of us who don`t actually live in the USA are on a different planet.

I live in Brisbane and we reckon that anyone that lives in Perth is.........a long way away.......... but we still recognise them as Aussies

Sorry, couldn`t resist

 

[O C Diver]

I have often thought about cruising on the West coast. Thought my next boat would be commercially truckable without a lead or follow car and permits. Basically making the boat under $10K to move across the country. While there are trips from Alaska to the Sea of Cortez that I might not feel comfortable with, I could spend a lot of time in the PNW.

Going the other way would work quite well though. Much of the East coast has inter coastal waterways and of course there are also the inland rivers that are accessible from the coast. Having a <35' boat that could be trucked to the East coast for a few years might be your answer.

Ted

 

[Jeff F]

I ran into a couple that were doing the loop on a Ranger Tug 31. Had the boat shipped from west coast to great lakes on its own trailer. It can be done relatively easily, and I'd be happy looping on a boat like that. YYMV.

 

[PM]

IMHO, you can't have it both ways.

If you want a trailerable trawler for the PNW go for it. If you want to do the Loop, go for it. But, you really should have two boats. All boat buying is a compromise but you are asking too much of a trailerable boat. (By the way, the initials T.T. generally refer to Taiwan Trawler, your post gets a little confusing with using TT incorrectly)

Unless you are really adventurous and think you can do the Panama canal you probably need to rethink your plans.

pete

 

[DavidM]

I totally agree with Pete's comments above.

If you want the flexibility of a trailerable trawler for short trips where you trailer you boat to the starting point, then get a 25' x 8.5' trailerable outboard powered trawler.

If you want to do the loop, I would want a 40' diesel inboard trawler.

David

 

[Bacchus]

A slightly different perspective might be worth considering... I do agree with the comments that a true trailer trawler won't work for most people wanting to do the loop. I say MOST as I know a fellow that has done the majority of the loop 2X with a 21 CDory. Lives in Colorado, trailered it to the Missouri R and did the usual ICW, NY canals to Lk Erie. He did short cut the route by hiring someone to trailer him to the Ohio R for his return.
Another possibility if you are only looking at cross country transport once or twice is to look at a larger vessel that could be transported easily (no bridge removal). Purchase it anywhere on the loop or E coast, transport to PNW when you are done exploring the East / loop which could be multi years.

 

[PM]

My eventual plans call for me and the Admiral to downgrade to a trailerable boat after we have seen and done everything our 36 ft trawler has to offer.

Lots of chain lakes, inland rivers and large land bound lakes to explore.

Can't trailer my 36 foot Albin and can't be totally comfortable for a week or a month aboard a trailerable boat. Therefore, need two boats. Not necessarily at the same time.

Notice that I say trailerable BOAT, not trailerable trawler. My trailerable boat can be a plaining boat such as a cheap Bayliner, older "V" berth Chris Craft or just about any cuddy cabin boat.

pete

 

[rsn48]

Hey rsn48, just to clarify, are you saying that the people on the other side of your country make up the "international community". Does that mean those of us who don`t actually live in the USA are on a different planet.

So I re-read my post and there was something wrong with what I said, but not the "international" bit. But I didn't say what coasts I was talking about, left out the words "American Coast". Given that I am Canadian and reading what I said, technically in terms of grammar I would be talking about the Canadian coast, but given what I said, everything I said still stands....lol. Many many Canadians consider the "Left" coast to contain hippies, weirdos, communists and what have you. And all true mind you!

 

[Clivepc]

My favourite rant, remember you are dealing with an international community. And, the people on the East coast aren't so familiar with the Best Coast, and vice versa. As to what is happening in the middle of the states, who knows.

So in your whatever its called, bio along the side - where to heck is Eagle. Usually I can Google Map and come up with the answer, but this time I get all kinds of eagle stuff.

So if you trailer, 98 % of the time the trailer is going to be sitting around doing nothing, so storage or space where it goes when you aren't using it could be an issue and a cost. If you do a commercial trailering, big expense. Everything is a big expense once you get into trailering as the trailer itself is a big expense, then prepping the boat is an expense for highway travel. So will you have the budget for it.

A few people in the PNW get a smaller boat and trailer it, this makes more sense to me, but may not to you. You can take your boat from wherever in the state of Washington and put it in somewhere in Alaska, or Vancouver Island to access the Broughtons and Desolation Sound. This option is becoming more popular. But the key here is smaller. Maybe something like a Cutwater 28 for example.

Size of boats is very similar to size in RV', it's a head thing. Can you be happier in something smaller. My experience with RV's for me and my observations of a number of marina's I've had boats at are the same. A smaller boat is a more spontaneous happening, generally folks go out more often in them. Same with smaller trailers, dragged all over the place. Very large trailers are white knuckle affairs towing through places like - say, Seattle.

Large boats don't go out as much at a marina, this having boats at Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Mosquito Creek marina, Sewell's Marina, a marina in Coal Harbour (I've blanked out on the name), French Creek Marina and now currently in Comox Marina. Big boats may go out longer but definitely not as frequently.

If you are coming to the Pacific Northwest, you have enough coastal area to keep you going for a lifetime when you throw in British Columbia and Alaska. In BC, the coast line distance as the crow flies is 600 miles from the southern border with Washington and the northern border with Alaska. But if you measure all of the coast line, with islands (the number is in the thousands), inlets, fjords, sounds, et al, you have 25,000 miles of coast to explore. And I'm not counting anything in Washington and Alaska.

This is my way of saying, you have so much to do here, and some challenging water to improve your maritime skills, with incredible dramatic geography, it might not be that important if you don't do the ICW. You could boat here a lifetime and not repeat much if you wanted to.

rsn48, lots of good comments here. you are right the PNW has much to offer, but winter makes boating day less attractive while warm climes might keep us on the water more. So hauling south would help that. My wife pointed she doesn't want another second home (Currently selling our third vaca cabin) and a larger vessel a distance a way ends up being just that.. Hard to argue with her on that one. Cheers mate. TBW

 

[Clivepc]

If you do the loop you could easily spend a year doing it. 30’ would not be comfortable for a year for us. Our 41’ would be about the minimum for us to spend a year on.

I enjoy trailering large boats, did it for years out west. Keep in mind some eastern states have some stricter limits on oversize towing.

ComoDave.
Good question, and No. I just know if I was cluttered with crap in the boat it would get me down. But, my wife and I as designers are good space planners so maybe it would work. I do like the idea of moving the boat by land myself to wherever we want. maybe we just have to try it and sell it if we hate it..

 

[Clivepc]

Hey rsn48, just to clarify, are you saying that the people on the other side of your country make up the "international community". Does that mean those of us who don`t actually live in the USA are on a different planet.

I live in Brisbane and we reckon that anyone that lives in Perth is.........a long way away.......... but we still recognise them as Aussies

Sorry, couldn`t resist

Brisboy, we just got an Australian Sheppard (6 months old) I see why he's so sensitive now! LOL. Only joking also. I'm actually a "Winging Pom" myself, always wanted to get downunder, maybe I will one day if this bloody virus quits. just had to cancel my flight to Blighty. Seriously though, you know how the Americans are, come on, "The world Series"
Better get back to boats.
TBW

 

[Clivepc]

I have often thought about cruising on the West coast. Thought my next boat would be commercially truckable without a lead or follow car and permits. Basically making the boat under $10K to move across the country. While there are trips from Alaska to the Sea of Cortez that I might not feel comfortable with, I could spend a lot of time in the PNW.

Going the other way would work quite well though. Much of the East coast has inter coastal waterways and of course there are also the inland rivers that are accessible from the coast. Having a <35' boat that could be trucked to the East coast for a few years might be your answer.

Ted

O C Diver. Love the Cherubini brother. You might have a point there. I heard of a guy that bought an old 40 ft sailboat for $10K with a good motor. cut the mast off and did the loop then sold it for a profit..

 

[Clivepc]

I ran into a couple that were doing the loop on a Ranger Tug 31. Had the boat shipped from west coast to great lakes on its own trailer. It can be done relatively easily, and I'd be happy looping on a boat like that. YYMV.

Jeff F
it's about as roomy a Trailer trawler ad there is out there..
TBW

 

[Clivepc]

IMHO, you can't have it both ways.

If you want a trailerable trawler for the PNW go for it. If you want to do the Loop, go for it. But, you really should have two boats. All boat buying is a compromise but you are asking too much of a trailerable boat. (By the way, the initials T.T. generally refer to Taiwan Trawler, your post gets a little confusing with using TT incorrectly)

Unless you are really adventurous and think you can do the Panama canal you probably need to rethink your plans.

pete

Pete, I hear you, everything is a compromise in boating. unless you are stinking filthy rich.
Sorry you got confused on the TT for Trailer Trawler ref. IF you said TT to me in any other context I'd think you were saying the Tourist Trophy (Isle of Mann TT) but I'm also a biker.
TT FN.
TBW

 

[Clivepc]

My eventual plans call for me and the Admiral to downgrade to a trailerable boat after we have seen and done everything our 36 ft trawler has to offer.

Lots of chain lakes, inland rivers and large land bound lakes to explore.

Can't trailer my 36 foot Albin and can't be totally comfortable for a week or a month aboard a trailerable boat. Therefore, need two boats. Not necessarily at the same time.

Notice that I say trailerable BOAT, not trailerable trawler. My trailerable boat can be a plaining boat such as a cheap Bayliner, older "V" berth Chris Craft or just about any cuddy cabin boat.

pete

Pete, I've looked at those older bayliner type boats but they seem bloody cramped to me.
But, again, to each his or her own.
I'd really like a 45 ft salon deck sailboat (Moody or Sirius) for the ICW and Caribbean, a Nordhavn 43 for the PNW and a Ranger 31 to tow. I'm just short a couple of mil.

 

[Clivepc]

A slightly different perspective might be worth considering... I do agree with the comments that a true trailer trawler won't work for most people wanting to do the loop. I say MOST as I know a fellow that has done the majority of the loop 2X with a 21 CDory. Lives in Colorado, trailered it to the Missouri R and did the usual ICW, NY canals to Lk Erie. He did short cut the route by hiring someone to trailer him to the Ohio R for his return.
Another possibility if you are only looking at cross country transport once or twice is to look at a larger vessel that could be transported easily (no bridge removal). Purchase it anywhere on the loop or E coast, transport to PNW when you are done exploring the East / loop which could be multi years.

Bacchus, cheers.
yes I've considered that.. or even sell it. there are some bloody cool old boats out there for $50K or less..

 

[Solly]

2 different boats hands down.
Buy 1 for the loop. Use it for the year or so to do the loop.
Sell it and then buy one to do the PNW.
Find the first cheap, fix it up and hopefully not lose an arm and leg on the sale.

Also, I hauled a 28' Chris Craft around with a 3/4 ton F 250 gas truck. Lot of boat. Never too worried about pulling it, just getting it stopped if somebody stupid showed up.

 

[Clivepc]

2 different boats hands down.
Buy 1 for the loop. Use it for the year or so to do the loop.
Sell it and then buy one to do the PNW.
Find the first cheap, fix it up and hopefully not lose an arm and leg on the sale.

Also, I hauled a 28' Chris Craft around with a 3/4 ton F 250 gas truck. Lot of boat. Never too worried about pulling it, just getting it stopped if somebody stupid showed up.

Solly, I'm kinda leaning this way. I wouldn't mind towing say a Ranger to Chicago from Idaho and doing the northern part through the Trent Severn etc, That being our PNW boat also, that we can keep at home in Idaho, then maybe doing the ICW and gulf part another year in a Sail boat, then selling it as you say.

 

[OldDan1943]

Trailering a boat? That fly bridge always seems to slow or stop things. I never wanted a fly bridge and I hate to think of removing it for trailering and then reinstalling it.
Take a look at the American Tug, 34/36 foot....They are built in LaConner, Washington, call ahead and they will welcome you and show you their inventory. After looking at that the 34/36ft model, there are larger models for your consideration. The factory support fabulous. You should be able to find a used AT. IF you buy a 34/36 model, ask the factory to put hydraulic lifts on the owner's berth. That will open up lots of space for misc parts and..... I can show you where I have added other cabinets. Of course, all these additional cabinets will be expensive if you use a quality marine cabinet maker.
I gave up the big cabinet in the salon to install a washer dryer. There is no exhaust fan in the galley, I had a custom range hood installed.
Because you will be buying on the west coast, standard equipment is a gas stove and no A/C. When you transition to the east ICW, get the 2 reverse cycle heat and A/C.
The only thing that I cannot figure out to enlarge is the hanging closet.
I am impressed with the quality of the build and they seem to hold their resale value.
Ah, it's a 30amp boat, 2 legs of 30 amp each. If you go with the gas stove and oven, I doubt if you will have to do a lot of load shedding or management. There is an AT blog but they dont allow fender kickers in the blog. So after you visit the boat, feel free to contact Kurt, of AT, for questions etc.
Personally, I think the 34/36 is a good boat for the Great Loop assuming you are "2". If you have the occasional guests, they can sleep in the salon on one of those slide out berth. They may not be stay long LOL
I hope this gives you a start.

 

[psneeld]

Met a couple in Cocoa Beach that had trailered their Ranger tug from North Dakota or somewhere and was cruising the Southeast and Bahamas.


If you can live in something that small for long periods and don't mind white knuckled towing...then go for it...as he isn't the only one that's ever done it.


Nice option.... is any major issues with the boat and it can be trailered to a place of suitable repair....rather than nearest available that may not be suitable or economical.

 

[Clivepc]

Met a couple in Cocoa Beach that had trailered their Ranger tug from North Dakota or somewhere and was cruising the Southeast and Bahamas.


If you can live in something that small for long periods and don't mind white knuckled towing...then go for it...as he isn't the only one that's ever done it.


Nice option.... is any major issues with the boat and it can be trailered to a place of suitable repair....rather than nearest available that may not be suitable or economical.

Psneeld,
yes I don't want to sound blaze but the towing doesn't bother me having towed triples, with the right vehicle that is, the space is more the issue. I think we'll probably end up with a towable option, many of which seem to hold their value pretty well, then see where end up from there. If we stay in the Coeur d'Alene area I'd for sure want something we can transport elsewhere, if we move closer to the ocean, i'd want a larger boat. The loop may need to include a specific purchase/sale. time will tell, cheers.
TBW

 

[Clivepc]

Trailering a boat? That fly bridge always seems to slow or stop things. I never wanted a fly bridge and I hate to think of removing it for trailering and then reinstalling it.
Take a look at the American Tug, 34/36 foot....They are built in LaConner, Washington, call ahead and they will welcome you and show you their inventory. After looking at that the 34/36ft model, there are larger models for your consideration. The factory support fabulous. You should be able to find a used AT. IF you buy a 34/36 model, ask the factory to put hydraulic lifts on the owner's berth. That will open up lots of space for misc parts and..... I can show you where I have added other cabinets. Of course, all these additional cabinets will be expensive if you use a quality marine cabinet maker.
I gave up the big cabinet in the salon to install a washer dryer. There is no exhaust fan in the galley, I had a custom range hood installed.
Because you will be buying on the west coast, standard equipment is a gas stove and no A/C. When you transition to the east ICW, get the 2 reverse cycle heat and A/C.
The only thing that I cannot figure out to enlarge is the hanging closet.
I am impressed with the quality of the build and they seem to hold their resale value.
Ah, it's a 30amp boat, 2 legs of 30 amp each. If you go with the gas stove and oven, I doubt if you will have to do a lot of load shedding or management. There is an AT blog but they dont allow fender kickers in the blog. So after you visit the boat, feel free to contact Kurt, of AT, for questions etc.
Personally, I think the 34/36 is a good boat for the Great Loop assuming you are "2". If you have the occasional guests, they can sleep in the salon on one of those slide out berth. They may not be stay long LOL
I hope this gives you a start.

Olddan1943.
the American is a fine boat, and the 26 is even towable. I just preferred the volume of space in the Ranger for a trailer boat. I hear you on the single engine, but a few moons ago I was at the helm of my buddies 30 ft jet boat on the Snake, and after 2 good rapid passes we turned up for a third, this time not so lucky. The jet drive hit a boulder so hard it tore the single big block off its mounts. floating downstream in an incontrollable boat was no fun. it took 45 minutes to lasso a tree and until the next day to get it back to the dock. Noah had the big guy as a wing engine.
If we go none tailorable there are many choices but the American is way up there.
Cheers,
TBW,

 

[PM]

Hi Clivepc, I already own the boat of my dreams. It is a 36 foot Albin I have had for about 8 years. Roomy, slow, heavy, economical, etc. It is the perfect Loop boat and the Admiral and I regularly spend a week or more on board. Often with another couple. Never feel cramped or crowded.

My next boat will be the cuddy, trailerable variety. Good for an afternoon, maybe an overnight but not for much longer and certainly not with overnight guests.

Just like there is a boat for every boater, there is a boat for every purpose.

pete

 

[psneeld]

With a trailerable boat...any coastal voyage can be done at least several ways...including the loop.


No need to think you have to pack an immeasurable stash of supplies and spares...you don't even have to spend that long on the boat. Go a 1000 miles or so...stop for a given length of time.



Can't say how many have done it that way...but it sounds like more than a few and reported they probably saw/experienced more than the people in the big or fast boats that raced around the loop seeming more intent on the burgee than the trip.


Thinking outside the box leaves more options than following the herd.


Not to say a big comfy boat isn't a great way to cruise...it's just noyt the only way.


Met a guy at dinner the other night...spent his winter on a big, roomy sailing cat in the Bahamas for the winter and is backpacking the Pacific Crest trail this summer.


6 months in luxury, 6 months in a tent on the ground. Can't say I don't like his style.

 

[Clivepc]

With a trailerable boat...any coastal voyage can be done at least several ways...including the loop.


No need to think you have to pack an immeasurable stash of supplies and spares...you don't even have to spend that long on the boat. Go a 1000 miles or so...stop for a given length of time.



Can't say how many have done it that way...but it sounds like more than a few and reported they probably saw/experienced more than the people in the big or fast boats that raced around the loop seeming more intent on the burgee than the trip.


Thinking outside the box leaves more options than following the herd.


Not to say a big comfy boat isn't a great way to cruise...it's just noyt the only way.


Met a guy at dinner the other night...spent his winter on a big, roomy sailing cat in the Bahamas for the winter and is backpacking the Pacific Crest trail this summer.


6 months in luxury, 6 months in a tent on the ground. Can't say I don't like his style.

psneeld,
No I hear you.

Big things always come with big headaches. we live in a huge home on 2 acres with over 300 trees. It's a royal pain the arse! I am a practical man, love working on stuff, love a road trip, love boats, love different places.
I think it would be easier to sell a trailer trawler bought right, and move up than unload a large expensive boat to move down. If we settle somewhere, that might be the time for the larger boat.. maybe not.

I like his style also, would love to sail the Bahamas on a large DS or cat.
Hiking and tenting maybe more in my rear view mirror at my age though..
LOL.
TBW

 

[jeffimac]

We've looped on a Ranger 25' for 4 years and trailer it a lot. Our boat is loaded with live aboard conveniences and is currently for sale if you'd like to discuss let me know.
Jeff