I like outboards even better than trawlers.
But that dosn't make Ob's trawlers.
It does if an outboard boat is rigged with trawl gear, Eric.
I like outboards even better than trawlers.
But that dosn't make Ob's trawlers.
You can build light. When I built my 38, I paid no particular attention to minimizing weight, using plywood for bulkheads, adding extra beef to the longitudinals, and using double the glass in structurally inportant areas. Boat came out to 12500lb in light config, about 14000 typical cruising load.
If I used minimal structure, minimal glass, used foam for bkhds and interior, used a 1200lb engine instead of a 2200lb engine, skipped the 400lb gennie.... I could get the weight down to probably 9000lb. Scale wise, that would put it close to GH and their 6000.
It costs money to save weight. Both the materials are more expensive and more man hours.
Coincidentally, I signed up on Pinterest yesterday. You have to pick 5 topic areas. Trawler? Nada. Powerboat? Same. Not sure what I did but now I'm getting pontoon boats. Ugh.
Keith
The other thing to consider is that the tow ratings of even a new 1/2 ton pick up are much higher than they were even 10 years ago. You can option a F150/1500 to tow over 10k pounds. Would you want to tow it every week - probably not - hell I wouldn't want to tow a 3k boat that often not because of the towing but because of the ramp hassle and time suck. However, if we are talking about towing once in a while to move from one cruising ground to the other that it a whole different animal - and a modern F150 is more than civilized enough to act as a daily driver. You can even cheat on the beam a bit because the permit for a slightly oversized load is pretty easy and cheap to get in most states (nor are you likely to get cited if you failed to get the permit).
It does if an outboard boat is rigged with trawl gear, Eric.
There are some folks who refuse to recognize any of our boats as "trawlers". To them a trawler is a fishing boat that engages in trawling (for fish).
I don't care what folks think.
If you look it up in a dictionary, that's what it is. Somebody calling a toy recreational boat a "trawler" makes it one only their own mind.
I remember seeing a trawler with an outboard engine on eBay years ago. Speculation was that it was a "dock queen" and could probably be moved from slip to slip.
I think the difference in torque, not horse power is what is keeping inboards the favorite power for trawlers. We are typically trying to move a heavy boat at a slow speed. Outboards are better at moving lighter boats at higher speeds.
Also, a slow RPM inboard is likely to have a longer service life than a high speed outboard.
And then there's the choice of fuel. For a boat we may be living on for months at a time, many of us would feel safer sitting on top of 200 gallons of diesel than 200 gallons of gasoline. And, diesel is more economical to operate.
Can you fit a 22" prop to an outboard?
Hi to all,
Happy New Year to Everyone!
I have been shopping for a used entry level cruiser in the $50,000 range and have found several 31 to 39 foot cruisers all built between 1988 and 1996.
I really like the layout of the 31 & 34 Mainship sedan Bridge boats built between 1995 & 1999. In fact I have a 1996 Mainship 31 under contract. As soon as it's rebuilt gas engines are installed and checked out I will take ownership.
I have also run across a Mainship 34 for $10,000 more. I like the extra size particularly in the cabin. The benefits of the slightly older 31 are that it will have newly rebuilt twin gas engines and as a solo captain it will be easier to cruise. The 34 is 3 years newer but it's engines have many hours on them. The 31 has gas engines and the 34 has Diesel engines. Both are well maintained and nicely appointed. The 31 comes with its own dingy and its owners say they will assist me via phone advice if and when I experience that "strange noise" that I cannot find its source.
I appreciate any advice y'all are willing to share about these boats as I make my final selection. I have read a lot of the threads regarding gas vs Diesel engines as well as single vs twins. Frankly as a gas boat owner al, my life I have no preference of one over the other. I will only buy a twin engine powered boat to go off shore. And I intend to cruise the entire Caribbean while I am physically able to do so.
BTW: I have seen several Carvers and Silvertons with the bridge to bow cut and built in steps that I find very appealing...considering I will be a solo cruiser most of the time.
Thanks
Tebeau169
Looking up "marriage" in the dictionary would indicate that it is a union between a man and a woman. You know how that goes.
Words change in meaning over time and the new meaning is accepted as the meaning. Remember what "gay" used to mean?
So is your boat a true "trawler" in the traditional sense of the word? How about the rest of the member's boats" Why is this the "Trawler Forum" if our boats are not true trawlers?
As far as being a "toy" boat", for what I paid for it and what I use it for, it's no more a "toy" than my car or truck (or my home).
The other thing to consider is that the tow ratings of even a new 1/2 ton pick up are much higher than they were even 10 years ago. You can option a F150/1500 to tow over 10k pounds. Would you want to tow it every week - probably not - hell I wouldn't want to tow a 3k boat that often not because of the towing but because of the ramp hassle and time suck. However, if we are talking about towing once in a while to move from one cruising ground to the other that it a whole different animal - and a modern F150 is more than civilized enough to act as a daily driver. You can even cheat on the beam a bit because the permit for a slightly oversized load is pretty easy and cheap to get in most states (nor are you likely to get cited if you failed to get the permit).
Be careful... If an accident can be proven to have occurred due to (or even been assisted by because of) a non permitted item's width on the road... well, think about how the the verdict could turn out on that case.
Diameter or pitch?
Band-B,
I would think a 22" prop would definitely be 22" in dia.
WesK,
I don't think torque is of much value on a trawler. At least pushing the boat. Horse power is what pushes the boat. But the concept of a heavy trawler fits the big slow turning engine. Dosn't push the boat any better but fit the concept much better. And for the OB engine it probably will last longer than most old trawler drivers have time to drive them. But Wes has a point ..... trawler props should be fairly large both to align w the concept of a trawler and to drive it well. And if it's fast of course it isn't a trawler.
WK - Do you need your boat such as you may need a car, truck, or house? Well, you may need the boat because you use it for income via net or line fishing; then it is not a toy and it is a trawler! If you use the boat for enjoyment only... then it is a Pleasure Boat, not a trawler... and you do not need it in the same way as car, truck, house!
This whole argy bargy about what is a trawler or not goes away if you just stick the word 'style' in there. (Most of) our boats are just 'trawler style' coastal cruisers...period.
I'll go with that!
But...
Trawler Style Forum.... might not float. And, "Trawler Style" could be one too many words for Madison Av. type marketers.
I'd like to weigh in, if I may RE: lack of affordable small boats. Three years ago, I followed this advice in a boating forum: "Don't buy the biggest boat you can afford. Buy the smallest boat you can live aboard".
This concept serves a number of us in the smaller boat class, I'd say Trawler, but- - - - - -
When we sold our 30 foot tug, we thought about moving up in size to gain additional comfort associating that with increased room. However a driving consideration was the known time frame for being on stall rental in the 32-38 foot range and not wanting to be moved around on a temporary basis till a stall was available and reasonably placed within the harbors, I chose to retain our 30 foot stall and find a boat that would serve. We did. As we are a couple and not known to gather a crowd when we boat, a sleeping accomadations with the normal bow bunks worked well, Yes, we have a fold out settee for those rare needed times. So we DOWN Sized to a 27 foot rig and think we did well.
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And folks, you see that I am coming along on learning to post photos!!
Al-Ketchikan
Congratulations Al, have been waiting for a photo of your boat when it wasn't so camera shy. Looks roughly comparable to the Prairie 29.
I'd like to weigh in, if I may RE: lack of affordable small boats. Three years ago, I followed this advice in a boating forum: "Don't buy the biggest boat you can afford. Buy the smallest boat you can live aboard".
This concept serves a number of us in the smaller boat class, I'd say Trawler, but- - - - - -
When we sold our 30 foot tug, we thought about moving up in size to gain additional comfort associating that with increased room. However a driving consideration was the known time frame for being on stall rental in the 32-38 foot range and not wanting to be moved around on a temporary basis till a stall was available and reasonably placed within the harbors, I chose to retain our 30 foot stall and find a boat that would serve. We did. As we are a couple and not known to gather a crowd when we boat, a sleeping accomadations with the normal bow bunks worked well, Yes, we have a fold out settee for those rare needed times. So we DOWN Sized to a 27 foot rig and think we did well.
[/URL][/IMG]
And folks, you see that I am coming along on learning to post photos!!
Al-Ketchikan
Looks like a cousin to Tollycraft. Monk have anything to do with design?
Wifey B: Plus it won't p.... off you know who....:lol: