Trawler Stability - 2nd Opinion Wanted

[Aurelia-Lang]

We completed a survey on a trawler we are looking at purchasing and our surveyor felt that the boat had a slow roll response during the sea trial and is thinking we should do a stability analysis. We have explored the stability analysis option, but we're running into many roadblocks. We felt comfortable with how the boat moved and we are thinking instead of doing the stability analysis, to have a captain who is very familiar with trawlers provide a 2nd opinion on the boats stability during another sea trial. We've realized that if the surveyor we used didn't have negative thoughts about this, then we'd be purchasing the boat right now. Does anyone happen to have any leads that could help us find this captain??? Hoping for the sea trial tomorrow (10/11) or Sunday (10/12) in Bellingham, WA.
Thanks!!!

 

[psneeld]

What make you think some off the shelf captain has any better opinion than the surveyor?

A bunch of varied opinions may help, or a really highly rated captain or second surveyor...even better a naval architect ...but by tomorrow? Good luck.

A slow roll might be a couple of things...the worst is that the boat with a slow roll has a stability that isn't very good if there is any "hang time" when the boat is at the most heeled point. The boat.... even with a slow roll should reach it's maximum roll, but start back upright immediately.

 

[DavidM]

What trawler?

My own view is that displacement trawlers roll a lot, but slowly and easily managed. Semidisplacement trawlers roll less at first but in heavier seas they sort of snap back and forth.

Beyond those two generalities, there are no bad trawlers or good trawlers in terms of rolling. Almost anll are semidisplacent hulls, btw.

David

 

[psneeld]

Unless they were grossly modified by the previous owner(s)...then any stock trawler could be light years better or light years more dangerous.

A hanging roll is a well known telltale of stability in question.

 

[Jklotz]

What boat are you looking at?

 

[mvweebles]

What is a stability analysis? Why did the surveyor recommend one?

I'm with Psneeld (#4) - finding a "captain" to render an opinion is useless. I used to do buy-side boat purchase consulting and I have no idea what this means.

I realize many buyers approach forums like TF with caution about divulging the details but frankly without details on the boat, location, and intended use, answers are useless. Asking for a timeline of one or two days is insane. You're the buyer - in this market, buyers are harder to find than sellers. Don't be pushed around by a manufactured sense of urgency.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Peter

 

[Delta Riverat]

So you liked the boat on the sea trail and the survey didn't bring up any hang points either?

Just the surveyor was concerned about "slow roll"?

Me thinks the surveyor wants to buy the boat -

Seriously, if the boat is a known "good item" and you liked the survey and the sea trial...

Yeah, what is the boat?

 

[Nick F]

What boat are you looking at?

Same for me - tell us what the boat is. Is it a known model, or a one-off?

 

[Jeff F]

Any further investigations should be done by a naval architect. That's their job. A couple of recent threads might be of interest

Coronial Inquiry-Sinking of Eliza 1

These are the Findings of the 2023 Coronial Inquest held in NSW Australia into the sinking of a vessel built in China by Polymarine in or about 2012 bearing the brand "Halvorsen 42 Coastal Cruiser",and the death of a crew member...

www.trawlerforum.com

Rolling, rolling.

Rather than try to individually correct some misconceptions in the two stability / rolling threads, I’ll offer this explanation: The period of a vessel’s roll is a function of two factors, GM and how weight is distributed out from the center of gravity. Think of a vessel with some lead...

www.trawlerforum.com

 

[Aurelia-Lang]

Thanks to all who relied. We learned today that our surveyor is writing it up such that it will require us to do a stability test (completed by anaval architect) anyway (per insurance), so we are moving on with that (we've worked out the kinks we had with this option) instead of using trawler knowledgeable captain for a 2nd opinion.
At this time we'd rather not say which boat it is. It is a one-off boat, not from a major, well-known manufacturer.
Thanks all.

 

[kapnd]

First post says you’re comfortable with the roll, is this an opinion backed by experience?
Boats roll, it’s their nature!

 

[BruceK]

Having pored my way through the Eliza 1 Coronial Inquest findings I posted (see post 9 above) I recognize the OP`s alert is reasonable. A skilled skipper could be helpful, a naval architect better but less readily available and ? cost. Seems from silence the boat make won`t be identified, but consider its age and engine hours. While usage detail would help, has it been around a while without sinking? Consider that with those observations in the Survey, what might an insurer reading it think. And if one declines, you need to tell other prospective insurers. So be wary, for several reasons.