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Old 06-29-2015, 10:04 PM   #1
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I see a wide variety of boats here, so what exactly makes a boat a trawler?

Looking at the boats discussed here and peoples avatars, I see a wide range of boats from pure displacement boats to sport fishers.

By some definitions my boat is a trawler (full displacement hull, top speed not much over nominal hull speed, etc.). hat said, my boat is more of a classic day cruiser despite having overnight accommodations. It is 79 years old after all, so it predates the trawler period by about 35 years.

So what makes a boat a trawler?
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Old 06-29-2015, 10:08 PM   #2
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Originally Posted by TDunn View Post
Looking at the boats discussed here and peoples avatars, I see a wide range of boats from pure displacement boats to sport fishers.

By some definitions my boat is a trawler (full displacement hull, top speed not much over nominal hull speed, etc.). hat said, my boat is more of a classic day cruiser despite having overnight accommodations. It is 79 years old after all, so it predates the trawler period by about 35 years.

So what makes a boat a trawler?
Before all the technical answers show up, if you want to call it one, then it is one. In spite of all the arguments you'll hear, there's no universal definition except the most basic which no boat here is. So just enjoy.
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Old 06-29-2015, 10:12 PM   #3
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So what makes a boat a trawler?
A trawler is a commercial fishing vessel designed to operate fishing trawls. Trawling is a method of fishing that involves actively dragging or pulling a trawl through the water behind one or more trawlers. Trawls are fishing nets that are pulled along the bottom of the sea or in midwater at a specified depth. A trawler may also operate two or more trawl nets simultaneously (double-rig and multi-rig). The nets are spread apart at the bottom by a pair of "doors," large, heavy plates angled outward to keep the mouth of the net open.

Now if you're talking about recreational boats that the marketing folks stuck the name "trawler" on in a (successful) attempt to fool gullible buyers into believing that their boats had the rugged attributes of a commercial fishing boat, the proper name for these boats is "cabin cruiser." Or as Eric Henning prefers, given the weight of these recreational, waterborne slugs, "heavy cruisers" which I feel is an equally appropriate name.

Recreational cruisers are about as similar to a trawler as my Ford pickup is to a Cat D10. My truck and the Cat both drive around on the ground. That's about it.

Over time, the marketing name for the slow displacement or semi-planing recreational cruiser has become applied to pretty much anything floating on the surface of the water as the owners strive to project, at least in their minds, the attributes of a true trawler onto their (mostly) plastic recreational vessels. So the name trawler is now applied to everything from Bayliner sport cruisers to express cruisers to pontoon boats.

I predict that the next phase of the marketing name game will be to apply the term "mini-trawler" to jetskis and other personal watercraft. I heard a fellow in Bellingham the other day refer to his kayak as a "paddle trawler," so you can see where this thing is going.

We own three boats, a small one and two big ones. The small one is an outboard sportfishing boat. The two larger ones, while each very different from each other in configuration and propulsion, are both cabin cruisers.

We have fairly close acquaintances in the UK who have a trawler. They use it to fish for langoustines off the west coast of Scotland.
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Old 06-29-2015, 10:52 PM   #4
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A trawler is a heavy cruiser.

They are all cruisers.

The thing that makes trawlers is mass, displacement … weight.

Weight is the most identifying element of trawler.
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Old 06-29-2015, 11:14 PM   #5
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Weight is the most identifying element of trawler.
I think nets are, Eric.

But I agree with your weight assessment when it comes to defining recreational cruisers.
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Old 06-29-2015, 11:57 PM   #6
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I think nets are, Eric.

But I agree with your weight assessment when it comes to defining recreational cruisers.
Now THAT was funny!
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Old 06-30-2015, 12:02 AM   #7
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I believe Marin's post is on target. I have a boat that was also designed to be a commercial troller, but my fish hold is sparkling clean and has never seen a fish under my ownership.
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Old 06-30-2015, 12:15 AM   #8
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A trawler is a heavy cruiser.

Eric, This is a Heavy Cruiser.
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Old 06-30-2015, 12:16 AM   #9
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Eric, This is a Heavy Cruiser.

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Old 06-30-2015, 12:26 AM   #10
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A trawler is a heavy cruiser.

They are all cruisers.

The thing that makes trawlers is mass, displacement … weight.

Weight is the most identifying element of trawler.
Eric,

I think your definition is one of the best I have ever heard. Your Willard and my Fales certainly fit into that category. I don't think I have ever heard of a 30' boat that displaces more than they do.
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Old 06-30-2015, 12:27 AM   #11
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At least we're not discussing Anchors on this thread,yet. And Oliver that is a mighty fine cruiser indeed!
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Old 06-30-2015, 02:47 AM   #12
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I am with Marin on this one.

A trawler is a trawler is a fishing boat.

But for the purpose of this all inclusive [ thank Providence ] forum just about any full displacment pleasure craft can be loosly considered a traler as well.

I have seen very few actual ex trawlers on this forum, full volume boats with standiong height in engine room, large commercial engines with big pitch props and large anchors of course of [ insert favorite here ].

In Oz it is not uncommon to see ex trawlers purchased and turned into great pleasure craft or exceptional live aboards.

But not everyone thinks a large ex commercial boat attractive, I do and their sea keeping and bar crossing ability is undoubted. Check out youtube for fishing boats crossing bars on the east coast of Aust. or in southern New Zealand.

This style of boat bring the crew and catch home safe but perhap a bit shaken.

For me the popular trawler types which most on here own are just too pretty.

But each to his / her own.

Regards.

David.
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Old 06-30-2015, 03:03 AM   #13
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Trawlers? Here we're talking about slower boats with full living accommodations. We can argue for weeks as to whether our boats are "true" recreational trawlers: not worth the effort unless one likes to argue.
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Old 06-30-2015, 03:17 AM   #14
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Our boat was built as a commercial fishing troller/ longliner . The reel and outriggers were removed and the hole for the reel was closed up . The fish hold is still there but the fish smell is gone .We really don't know what to call it . Maybe Eric and Marin can help . Eric I'm sure I have to much hp for the boats use now and I could use some weight in the fish hold .
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Old 06-30-2015, 04:55 AM   #15
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Well, a longliner or troller isn't a trawler, either. It's, well, a longliner or a troller.
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Old 06-30-2015, 04:59 AM   #16
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Enjoyed Marin's description. Since my Albin-25 predates the term "trawler" as applied to pleasure boats, I usually call the Du Nord a "Swedish Motor Cruiser".
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Old 06-30-2015, 05:09 AM   #17
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What makes a boat a recreational "trawler ?

The size of the Advertising budget.
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Old 06-30-2015, 06:13 AM   #18
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I guess my definition of a recreational trawler would be a non planning motor vessel capable of multiple day cruising excursions.

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Old 06-30-2015, 06:53 AM   #19
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We own three boats, a small one and two big ones. The small one is an outboard sportfishing boat.
Such a great diatribe and then, Outboard sportfishing boat.
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Old 06-30-2015, 08:37 AM   #20
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We occasionally troll lines behind our boat so would that make ours a troller or trawler?
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