Trailerable Trawler List

Jbo_c said:

Appreciate the offer, but I’m in Gainesville, Ga, not Florida.
What boat are you hauling?
Jbo

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"73 28' Cargile Cutter Ford 302 I/O. 150 gal gas tank has good range for a gasser. There is an facebook group for this boat: Cargile Cutter Owners Information Group.

That could serve. Would love to see it if I’m ever in the area.

What kind of fuel burn do you see at 6-7 knots?

Jbo

Maybe/maybe not relevant: My long tows would be on the order of 2-4 times annually 300 miles(one way).

Normal hauls would be local - 5-25 miles.

That said, trailer launchable is a must.

Jbo

Marine Trader 34 is not trailerable. It takes a crane to remove the top bridge for transport on a tractor trailer. It will not fit under overpasses with the top bridge still attached. It is also considered a wide load with width being just almost 12 feet.

It is 11 tons dry add 300 gallons diesel(2100lbs) and 150 gallons of water (1250lbs) plus all your personal supplies you are talking 25,000lbs plus for just the boat and not the trailer( additional 5-8000 lbs)

Even a diesel f350 would not be capable or rated for those weights close to 30,000 lbs

My wife agrees the Windy 26 looks perfect and has given preliminary approval to (maybe) buy!

If anybody sees one of the (apparently) 19 or so that made it to North America for sale, please let me know. Condition is OK if price is appropriate.

Jbo

So here’s my list so far, trying to stay with the low power displacement cruisers that would be towable and ramp launchable:

Albin 25
Albin 27FC
Windy 26 SN
Coaster 23
Saga 24
Saga 27 AC
Permacraft 26
Nimble Nomad
Nimble Wanderer(really ramp launchable?)
Outer Reef 26
Allweather 8M
Sisu 22
Tresfjord 28
Aylward 25
Roughwater 29

These all seem to (generally) fit the bill with the typical trade-offs among different ones in the group. And all, I think, are well within my budget if I can find one in suitable condition.

Unfortunately, the Albins and Nimbles seem to be the only ones made/available in sufficient numbers to really expect to find one. Happily, I am not on a strict schedule, so while tomorrow would be great, a year or two is OK too. Maybe if I’m patient I’ll find a unicorn.

Feel free to add any similar makes/models you’re aware of that aren’t on my list. I certainly wouldn’t pretend it’s exhaustive - just what I found chasing bread crumbs.

Jbo

Ahem...



She's 23' of happiness. Weighs in 7,000 fully loaded (because I am woman and my Seaweed is my world)

Article: Seaweed, a Schucker mini-trawler article on janice142

Looks nice.

- although with “only three still in existence” it may be the unicorniest of unicorns.

Jbo

If you want to go hellva cheap look for a Permacraft 26

Actually looked at a Permacraft yesterday(on-line) - big gasser, not little diesel, so it’s out. Had a nice big cockpit, though.

Jbo

Jbo_c said:

Jeff: would be very interested in hearing about more Scandinavian cousins of Albin. Sisu is in the running, for sure. Just don’t see many listed. Will look into the Windy. Other names to research?

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Saga was the other, but I see you've got that.

Europe is full of small slow diesel cruisers, but few have made it to the US.

Rereading the thread, I think you've been too quick to dismiss outboards. Boats like the Rosborough would be quite happy with a modern 60-90 hp outboard. I have a friend with one that has a mid-size Honda and it's a lovely slow cruiser.

Maybe look for one that's ready for repowering and go small on the new motor?

Jeff F said:

Rereading the thread, I think you've been too quick to dismiss outboards. Boats like the Rosborough would be quite happy with a modern 60-90 hp outboard. I have a friend with one that has a mid-size Honda and it's a lovely slow cruiser.

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Agreed. For the record I do indeed love my 18hp Kubota diesel. I am grateful and like the reliability. Every problem has been resolved. She starts every time and cruising takes little fuel. I do know that fuel burn will increase with an outboard, so that can come into play.



Diesel is easy. It is also LOUD. Which is okay -- however as my hearing deteriorates, the VHF becomes almost impossible to hear when underway.

Anyway, back when shopping I turned my nose up at outboards. In retrospect, that may have been the wrong decision. Outboards are quieter.

That said, NEVER EVER an inboard/outboard. Those things can sink your boat (the boots are seldom maintained) and when those boots develop a crack and fail the boat becomes a rock.

So though diesel is indeed great, an outboard can be a viable option. Times change. Remember when tractor engines were modified for boats? Then diesel. Next turbo charged, and now... it appears to me at least around here that there are quite a few 40-plus footers with three or four outboards across the transom.

From the boat show: (admittedly flashy!) and IF I'm reading that sticker correctly 1,700,000. Could that be possible?!?


Two MUCH SMALLER outboards would work better for a slower journey, and with less fuel burn. And outboards bought new are costly... outboard experts can provide better information than I. However, if my engine finally is not repairable, i would seriously consider an outboard for the transom.

A white 9.9 Suzuki long-shaft was selling at the boat show last year for less than $3k. I have spent wayyyy more than that on my diesel. Fuel costs would I suspect balance out the "deal" that the outboard appears to offer....

Just rambling however I do agree with Jeff F. Definitely consider an outboard driven vessel. I suspect this will become more and more common in the coming years.

I’m not opposed to outboards, and, yes, cruising would definitely be quieter. However, I am opposed to getting a boat designed for speed and using it as a low power cruiser.

A boat designed specifically for low power and efficiency is what I’m after, and there just aren’t many that are outboard powered. There’s the Nimble boats, and they’re on my list.

I am especially fond of those little European cruisers, though.

Jbo

If I was looking for trailerable I like the Nimble Wanderers

https://www.curtisstokes.net/trawlers-for-sale-nimble-32-kat's-paw-2801443.html
and the motorsailer version
https://www.curtisstokes.net/trawlers-for-sale-nimble-33-back-porch-2801723.html

I wonder if the Wanderer is really trailer launchable. 32’ is a lot of boat on a ramp. I would prefer the extra space/volume versus the Nomad, but might end up being one of those things I have to compromise on.

Wanderer definitely stays on the list until I get more info.

J o

Jeff F said:

Saga was the other, but I see you've got that.

Europe is full of small slow diesel cruisers, but few have made it to the US.

Rereading the thread, I think you've been too quick to dismiss outboards. Boats like the Rosborough would be quite happy with a modern 60-90 hp outboard. I have a friend with one that has a mid-size Honda and it's a lovely slow cruiser.

Maybe look for one that's ready for repowering and go small on the new motor?

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Newer fuel injected outboard are reliable, fuel efficient, and quiet. Hands-down, outboard would be my choice in this size range.

OP has a romantic notion of a displacement boat but wants it trailerable. Displacement boats carry ballast - why anyone would want to drag around a ton (or more) of dead weight is perplexing to me.

There are a ton of boats that would fit the bill. This has been a good thread. I really like the Rosborough and wouldn't care what size OB it had - when it died, I'd replace it with whatever I felt it needed.

Good luck.

Peter

Jbo_c said:

Actually looked at a Permacraft yesterday(on-line) - big gasser, not little diesel, so it’s out. Had a nice big cockpit, though.

Jbo

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Sorry, look for a Permacraft 26 trawler, 50 hp Perkins, sailboat like hull. They made two versions. A trawler and a motorsailor.

I owned one for 20 years. My parents looped in it in 2006

I don’t know how “romantic” my notion is, but I do want something that fits my planned program and aesthetic expectations. And based on the list, the type is definitely available. The issue is my limited knowledge of the options.

I just started the thread in hopes that some might point me to other similar models/manufacturers that are out there. - and many have. I think I’ve now got a pretty good list to look for/at(and would appreciate any additions).

Rosborough boats, while pretty to my eye, are about triple my budget. That makes it an easy call. Add to that the fact that boats designed for higher speeds perform poorly underpowered or at low speed and I have no interest in that type.

I do appreciate the continued feedback and good discussion.

Jbo

Thanks, Pierre. I’ll check out that model.

Jbo

Jbo_c said:

Add to that the fact that boats designed for higher speeds perform poorly underpowered or at low speed and I have no interest in that type.

Jbo

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That is not really true. 95% of trawlers are designed for higher speeds and the newer ones have the hp to go 15+ kts. When you throttle down most diesels and all outboard 4 cycles with EFI, they perform just fine.

The hard chine low deadrise hull shape is more stable than full displacement types in a moderate seaway, and the diesel is happy running at 10-20 hp per liter displacement and so are 4 cycle OBs.

David

I’ve never been on a planing boat that performed well at idle speeds. Sure, they’ll move, but I’m my experience, it’s less than ideal.

Maybe depends a little on definition too. For me, a trawler designed for higher speeds isn’t really a trawler. I think of trawlers as boats designed for hull speed or less.

Jbo

Jbo_c said:

I’ve never been on a planing boat that performed well at idle speeds. Sure, they’ll move, but I’m my experience, it’s less than ideal.

Maybe depends a little on definition too. For me, a trawler designed for higher speeds isn’t really a trawler. I think of trawlers as boats designed for hull speed or less.

Jbo

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The Rosborough was designed in Nova Scotia as a work boat, and lots of them had 50 hp outboards. The 246 grew out of that hull.

I wouldn't call it a planing boat. It's a direct descendant of the semi-displacement lobster boats.

Good info I hadn’t run across, Jeff. Thanks.

(Still WAY out of my budget, though.)

Jbo

Jbo_c said:

Good info I hadn’t run across, Jeff. Thanks.

(Still WAY out of my budget, though.)

Jbo

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Sure, but boats mentioned earlier like the Acadia and Cape Dory are not dissimilar. If all you want to do is travel at 6 - 10 mph they'll do it happily and handily.

Jbo:

Not a low-powered boat, but this trailerable beauty just popped up on Boat Trader. It's a semi-planing boat, an Eastern 27. Well-equipped for the type of cruising you describe. It even has a bow thruster!

Eastern also builds the Seaway 24, which is easier to trailer and requires less power.

Cheers,
Mrs. Trombley

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/201...h_Dynamic+-+Control+(CTA)&utm_content=1052023

Jbo:


Here are a couple of inboards, which you seem to prefer.

The first is a 1992 Wasque 26, just a lovely boat, and priced nicely on Boat Trader at $32,500.






The second is a 1987 Coastal 27. Notice the big keel, super-advantageous to a boat's stability, but also makes it more difficult to store, trailer and launch. You'd have to get a special trailer made for this beauty, but it's very pullable with your F-250. Seems a bit high priced for her age on Boat Trader at $52,000, but I'm no expert.








However, with either of these boats I would be concerned about the integrity of the stringers and bulkheads, because of their age.


The previous owner of our 1987 Seaway 23 replaced & glassed in all new stringers and bulkheads last year. He added a new fuel tank. He did a beautiful job and exquisitely documented his work, with photos and receipts. Lucky for us, he then got a bad case of bigger-boat-itis and put his Seaway up for sale. We were able to snag it, and are putting a few finishing touches on it.

Cheers,
Mrs. Trombley


P.S. If you do a little research on "downeast" boats, you might find that these boats fit right in with your goals.

Wow. That Wasque is a beauty, isn’t she?

Thank you very much for keeping me in mind, Mrs. Trombley.

Yes. Downeast is definitely a style and function level that frequently suits. In fact, I debated building one, but decided rather on a style for flat water instead. In retrospect, I wish I’d done differently, but the die is cast. My hull is built, so no going back now. I don’t expect I have it in me(nor does my wife) to build another, thus the beginning of an unrushed search.

I do have some experience building(and rebuilding) boats, so will be comfortable buying the right one even if it’s a bit of a project. Sometimes my wife and I debate whether I more enjoy the project or the use. .

Thanks, again.

Jbo

janice142 said:

Ahem...

She's 23' of happiness. Weighs in 7,000 fully loaded (because I am woman and my Seaweed is my world)

Article: Seaweed, a Schucker mini-trawler article on janice142

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Hi Janice!
I’m Hugh, from the western mountains in NC and I’ve just bought a 1985 Schucker 23, (a Gulf Packet?!) in Sarasota that I plan to wow my grandchildren with and take to the Keys and maybe the Abacos and most of all just anchor across the river from Oriental and read a good book. Can you tell I’m excited?
Anyway there’s so much I have to learn, and frankly I just can’t wait. Except perhaps for the one small problem that “my” boat which I’ll pick up this week and trailer home has a BMW 35 hp which apparently has been showing water or possibly coolant in the oil and is consequently in pieces, I feel very fortunate to have landed such a rare and distinguished vessel. I have owned a number of boats in the past, but the fact that I bought this one sight unseen and without a survey of any kind tells me that either I’ve finally found my true boat cathexis, or maybe I should finally let that dream go. What the heck, it’s only money.
I’ve seen your boat information, in fact I’m sure I know more about yours, and one other pocket yacht now or formally for sale in Canada than I do my own. But I’ve been familiar with the Schucker name for a long time, and am strangely confident that this won’t turn out badly (as boat purchases go). I expect that I’ll end up with a Beta 35, a lot of new paint and a budget hole vastly bigger than what I’ve promised my wife - but a bargain nonetheless.
So I just had to reach out to say that I’m around, I’ve enjoyed your posts, and will likely be seeking sage advice as along with my wife and my kids and their kids, I embark on this truly generational journey. Thanks for listening!
-H

This boat was just listed on Boats-For-Sale forum. Looks interesting. $42k with trailer.


Peter

jbo, I have a very nice Albin 27FC here in Vonore, TN if you'd like to look and take a ride in one. She runs a hull speed of 6.5 and burns about 1/2 gal per hour. Give me a PM and I'll give you my phone #. Ben