Slow Trawlers vs Fast trawler

I ussed to run a 51 Bertram that was hell on the hook it rocked so bad. SF are designed to go fast forward and to track well in reverse. Rocking at anchor isn't a high priority. You can however install a gyyro-stabilizer, although they're expensive and heavy. Fin stabilizers won't help on the hook. A keel does help. Also some trawler types have a stabilizer sail. Others, such as some Seatons, have outriggers that can be lowered to help stabilize.

The biggest drawbacks to SF for me is the helm. Working deck from a SF generally involves running up and down a ladder. It also seperates the helmsman from the rest of the boat, as well as leaving him out in the weather (although you can button up a bridge and even have ac/heat brought up there. The Bertram had a nice bridge setup, but just to bring food up involved lowering a basket. Ladders are inconvenitent. Another drawback to me, as a smoker, is that there's no place outside covered from the weather. And we all know that smoking inside a boat is a no-no.

Not sure what you're referring to with "sail drive", unless you're referring to a kite setup like Brian Eiland was referring to in a thread awhile back.

SF are designed for drift fishing and trolling speeds. They are usually a lot more stable than a MY both drifting and slow speeds and anchored. They're also designed typically for a larger sea state. Obviously you want one without a tower, and you also want to make sure you're under 19'2 to the top of the hardtop. Going through the locks is easy on them as you have a cockpit in the rear with easy line access, good room on the bow, and visibility 360 degrees on most of them from the helm. Visibility of the sides and aft is tough on a lot of MY's.

NYCAP Bertrams are an exception to a SF, and tend to roll a lot more than others. SF are designed for drifting and slow trolling. A cockpit shade that folds in half can help create more of a covered area.

The best way to resolve that is to retrofit a Sea Keeper unit into the boat, and while it's true that SF's tend to have a higher CG than most boats, it also allows a bit more space for things like tenders, and putting in a couple of poles in the Rod holders near the stern create a Sun shade for the entire cockpit for dining alfresco, or a nice shady spot to watch the World go by.

Sportfish tend to have a lot lower center of gravity compared to motoryachts. They are designed to have the ability to put a tuna tower on them and still be stable. One with just a hardtop will outride most motoryachts. You also don't have this great big house above the rub rail like a motoryacht does.

Talking about these get-me-home Auxiliary engines: You also find them in the small Nordhavn. After all most problems with adult diesel engines are caused by bad fuel (the same fuel you´d use for your auxiliary engine). Normally, if not caused by bad fuel diesel engines don´t die without warning and most typical reason for a dead engine is neglect. So I guess what you need most is just another engine that is ignored all the time until you find yourself in trouble.

But then if the only fuel on board is contaminated and unfit, it's not going to help you either, is it?

Perhaps the best thing is a good fuel system with adequate filters and polishing.

The position of the galley has nothing to do with where the helm is. SF close over the front windows, so no lower helm. You'll generally find most boats with lower helms up north where it extends the boating season. Down south they go for just the upper helms more. You'll find lower (and often upper and lower) helms on many trawlers, several Sport Cruisers and motor yachts.

Adding things like stabilizers and thrusters, etc. is not a big deal; just money. So if the boat you like isn't equipped as you'd like, just figure it into your offer. On almost any boat you buy you'll do a certain amount of refitting. After all, you have to make it your boat.

P.S.- Problems can come from a lot more than just fuel. An electrical problem, clogged injectors, clogged air filter, a crumpled prop and a blown transmission come immediately to mind. So don't be too fast to discount the value of a get-home on a single screw boat.

Jim, Not sure what your budget is, but Mikelson used to make a 61 Pilothouse, it's an SF with an upper and lower steering station, there's actually one currently on the market, they no longer make that model, but they do have a Nomad series that you might want to look into. Here's the 61 but it's sold, worth taking a look at the layout.

http://www.mikelsonyachts.com/brokerage/m61_Reel_Estate.htm

We have stairs to the flying bridge, no ladder. That would be a deal breaker for us, now.

We have a forward window, ditto deal breaker if without.

No lower helm, but fully enclosed (on demand) bridge... so no big loss.

We often cruise at 7-8 kts, but sometimes at 20...

-Chris

Jim, just so you know all of the Mikelson's were designed by Tom Fexas, they are semi-displacement hulls. Fast cruising speed, and fuel efficient design. The Nomad is a cross between a Trawler and a SF, or a Trawler with a cockpit. Disclosure: I am not in anyway associated with Mikelson, nor compensated in any way. I'm just a fan, the Sullivan brothers use the KISS principal, along with redundancy in their designs.

Tom's boat is a real beauty...but thanks to Owner input, ladders to the flybridge are now stairs, and the Galley on the 43 and 50 are usually located aft just inside the salon door. One of my favorite places for a galley. Think about it, one of the most stable places underway for preparing a meal. I like the concept.

No thought's on the Nomad series?

P.S. Yes I checked out both links, Thanks. Don't you kind of feel like a kid in a Candy store sometimes? So little money and so many choices? It's frustrating to say the least. Sometimes you just want to throw up your hands, and give up....but don't. You'll come across a boat that will resonate in your soul and the Mrs. and life will be grand.

That's the spirit! But going back to one of my previous posts here, You're first isn't going to be your last. You'll find one that will tug at your heart strings, and then the "what if's" will kick in. But it won't occur in any short order. In your travels, you'll meet tons of great people, who will welcome you and allow you to get aboard other boats, learn what works and doesn't work, for yourself and mate. You'll be amazed at the knowledge you'll acquire in your travels. I'm not talking about trading up...but just maybe moving sideways will open up new vista's. Please keep us updated on your progress. I look forward to your experiences.

P.S. The amazing thing is that if you get in a bind, and have internet access, you can jump on YF and tap a virtual encyclopedia of knowledge and contacts anywhere in the World, to help your voyage be a whole lot easier.