Slow Trawlers vs Fast trawler

And a 25-30hp isn't going to cut it on a 16-18 Whaler, more like 35-40hp on a 13'.

Aluminum little boats in saltwater generally don't fare too well in the long term.

I think Nordic Tug can be an excellent choice for some people. Many happy owners.

As to tender, don't overlook Rib's as a possibility either. They have their advantages and disadvantages versus Whaler's and Carolina Skiff's. While we're very much in the minority here, we prefer jet rib's. But were we not to use jets we still like rib's. One problem with Whaler's is if you follow the horsepower plate, which a dealer will have to follow on a new one, then you're somewhat underpowered.

I don't have an issue with it. How many crossings are you going to make where you are going to be over 50NM from land? Generally in most instances if a diesel is running it will stay running.

Pluses and minuses to single engines. I prefer twins but not for what people often think as reliability. Many of the problems that most likely would put a boat out of commission are not significantly lessened by twins. Fuel, steering, hitting something or grounding.

Jim, I understand where you're going...you want your cake and eat it too. I suffer from the same affliction...I'm sure a lot of boaters do. But, you might want to consider Capt J's advice, and look at a SF, they typically have a longer foredeck than most boats, and you could possibly look at a 14-15 foot flats boat. Nice tender, fishable, very shallow draft, and you can haul butt with a 60-90 hp. outboard. Although you either have to carry gas with you or have a gas tank installed with a pump, to keep your tender gassed up. I sincerely believe that this won't be your "final" boat. Whatever you buy, you're going to go through the "yeah, but's" phase eventually. "This is a great boat...yeah but if we had a little more beam we could....etc.", an on, and on, and on.
After going through doing a new build, based on my situation, and what business dictates, I'm going with a Viking Enclosed Bridge, which fits all of my needs for the time being. There will come a time when I can afford to build exactly what I want, then I can go nuts and build my version of the perfect boat.

They can be punctured and require repair or even tube replacement. However, Hypalon doesn't puncture as easily as you might think. Still usage is important in choosing. Just like the boat, it's finding the right tender for you. In the 15' and under tenders, Rib's do have a heavy domination of the market.

And you start talking jets and you'll get people overwhelmingly saying no, but we love ours. Part of the negative is prior engines and technology. Price though is a big negative.

Many use tenders just to get back and forth from anchorages to shore. We use ours primarily to explore areas. We also put many more hours on ours that others.

One customer had a 50' Post SF and it had a davit and 14' RIB with plenty of room. There is no reason a 13' Whaler wouldn't fit up there or 15' Carolina skiff.......I honestly think a 50' Post would make a good Loop Boat for your needs. Fuel efficient at 10 knots (or less), and 26 knot cruise at a touch over 2 GPNM, very beamy, very roomy inside, good boat. Just leave the outriggers at home......good visibility of the entire boat from the helm. Plus you'll have 2 boats to fish from. Good range and good fuel economy.

If you're going to fish from the tender, forget about the ribs. They're not laid out to fish from, and puncturing a tube in Decater or Tennessee is going to be no fun. The Carolina skiff or whaler would work best (or similar) and they're both unsinkable and about as maintanence free as you can get......

Well, we never use ours to fish and as we aren't very avid fisherperson's can't tell you what would be best. A lot also depends on your type fishing. Our limited fishing is going to be with a guide or charter. When I was younger I did lake fishing but my cousin was the fanatic and the knowledgeable one.