Hello,
I’m happy to have discovered your site and am happy I joined. I’ve been dreaming a long time and am officially starting my homework toward possible trawler ownership for our family of four. We love boats and love the water.
I grew up around boats in Atlantic Canada and spent my summers in Bouctouche Bay, New Brunswick in dories and runabouts and helped out on fishing boats in the Northumberland Straight during lobster season.
I’ve owned various small boats from 14’to 27’ over the years. I currently own a 22’ Walkaround sport fishing boat (although I don’t really fish much).
I live on the Saint John River in New Brunswick and moor our boat in front of our house. When on vacation, we trailer our boat to the coast 2 hours away where my wife is from and keep it in a slip at the local fishermen’s’ wharf.
I’ve never really enjoyed going fast on the water. I like cruising with family and friends and just being on the water. I prefer a displacement hull over planing.
I assume buying a trawler type boat is a big (no… huge) commitment, but here’s my thinking……
Growing up, my family owned a cottage on the coast. My father paid $800 for the land and built a nice little cottage for us there. Many families I grew up with had a cottage. It was common and affordable. Today, a small lot similar to my father’s would be in excess of $100k, without a building on it. Assuming a person can buy a small cottage, the taxes alone are over $5K per year (secondary, luxury residence property taxes here). On top of that, you have your insurance, maintenance, utilities, etc.
I’m thinking of purchasing a trawler as our “cottage” while we’re still working; we’re in our 40’s. PS: I work for the Water Survey of Canada.
I realize a boat is not an investment and would depreciate as opposed to an actual cottage on land, but I’m thinking this would be more affordable and would also keep us on the water.
Looking at prices, I’ve seen basket cases under $10k to “the sky’s the limit”. I’m still trying to determine my budget but am thinking of a purchase in 5 to 7 years from now and likely $40k to $65k as an initial price range.
As a “cottage on the water” I would like accommodations for my wife and I and our 2 children.
Here are some of the features I “think” I would like:
· Center line queen bed aft
· Dual station with fly bridge
· Full size fridge in galley
· Separate cabin for children/guests (bunks)
· Gen set
· 2 heads (hot/cold water of course)
· Fibreglass hull and superstructures
· Safe easy access on decks from stern to bow (walk around)
· Closed cooling for engine(s)
· Navigational electronics
I still don’t know if I should look for: single or twin screws; diesel or gas (I assume diesel); thrusters; Teak decks or all glass; North American vs. Asian makes; on board washer/dryers; heating/air conditioning; tenders; etc… I want to learn!!!
I may be describing a house boat but I do plan on coastal cruising in the Northumberland Straight and hope to make longer journeys in the future.
Our idea is to keep the boat at the marina on the coast where my wife is from and weekend and holiday on it.
By joining the trawler forum, I’m hoping to gain knowledge to help me make an informed decision on weather not to buy a trawler and if yes, “what” to buy.
I’ve always been a marina rat, stopping by any marina along my travels just to look at the boats and maybe talk to a fellow boater.
There aren’t many trawlers in these parts; there aren’t many people, and the season is quite short. I’m struggling with how I’ll determine what “ride” I like (the cape style lobster boats I worked were quite roly poly and I can still smell the diesel fumes) and what configuration and layout I would prefer. I quickly looked up what a charter would cost and $6500 to $25000 per week seems a little steep to try and see if I like trawlers… I’m hoping to incorporate a few visits to marinas next year on our trip to Florida just to “look around”.
Anyway, to sum up my long winded introduction, thank-you for having me on your site and I look forward to reading, learning, and hopefully sharing.
Thank-you
I’m happy to have discovered your site and am happy I joined. I’ve been dreaming a long time and am officially starting my homework toward possible trawler ownership for our family of four. We love boats and love the water.
I grew up around boats in Atlantic Canada and spent my summers in Bouctouche Bay, New Brunswick in dories and runabouts and helped out on fishing boats in the Northumberland Straight during lobster season.
I’ve owned various small boats from 14’to 27’ over the years. I currently own a 22’ Walkaround sport fishing boat (although I don’t really fish much).
I live on the Saint John River in New Brunswick and moor our boat in front of our house. When on vacation, we trailer our boat to the coast 2 hours away where my wife is from and keep it in a slip at the local fishermen’s’ wharf.
I’ve never really enjoyed going fast on the water. I like cruising with family and friends and just being on the water. I prefer a displacement hull over planing.
I assume buying a trawler type boat is a big (no… huge) commitment, but here’s my thinking……
Growing up, my family owned a cottage on the coast. My father paid $800 for the land and built a nice little cottage for us there. Many families I grew up with had a cottage. It was common and affordable. Today, a small lot similar to my father’s would be in excess of $100k, without a building on it. Assuming a person can buy a small cottage, the taxes alone are over $5K per year (secondary, luxury residence property taxes here). On top of that, you have your insurance, maintenance, utilities, etc.
I’m thinking of purchasing a trawler as our “cottage” while we’re still working; we’re in our 40’s. PS: I work for the Water Survey of Canada.
I realize a boat is not an investment and would depreciate as opposed to an actual cottage on land, but I’m thinking this would be more affordable and would also keep us on the water.
Looking at prices, I’ve seen basket cases under $10k to “the sky’s the limit”. I’m still trying to determine my budget but am thinking of a purchase in 5 to 7 years from now and likely $40k to $65k as an initial price range.
As a “cottage on the water” I would like accommodations for my wife and I and our 2 children.
Here are some of the features I “think” I would like:
· Center line queen bed aft
· Dual station with fly bridge
· Full size fridge in galley
· Separate cabin for children/guests (bunks)
· Gen set
· 2 heads (hot/cold water of course)
· Fibreglass hull and superstructures
· Safe easy access on decks from stern to bow (walk around)
· Closed cooling for engine(s)
· Navigational electronics
I still don’t know if I should look for: single or twin screws; diesel or gas (I assume diesel); thrusters; Teak decks or all glass; North American vs. Asian makes; on board washer/dryers; heating/air conditioning; tenders; etc… I want to learn!!!
I may be describing a house boat but I do plan on coastal cruising in the Northumberland Straight and hope to make longer journeys in the future.
Our idea is to keep the boat at the marina on the coast where my wife is from and weekend and holiday on it.
By joining the trawler forum, I’m hoping to gain knowledge to help me make an informed decision on weather not to buy a trawler and if yes, “what” to buy.
I’ve always been a marina rat, stopping by any marina along my travels just to look at the boats and maybe talk to a fellow boater.
There aren’t many trawlers in these parts; there aren’t many people, and the season is quite short. I’m struggling with how I’ll determine what “ride” I like (the cape style lobster boats I worked were quite roly poly and I can still smell the diesel fumes) and what configuration and layout I would prefer. I quickly looked up what a charter would cost and $6500 to $25000 per week seems a little steep to try and see if I like trawlers… I’m hoping to incorporate a few visits to marinas next year on our trip to Florida just to “look around”.
Anyway, to sum up my long winded introduction, thank-you for having me on your site and I look forward to reading, learning, and hopefully sharing.
Thank-you
