Top 3 list for your current trawler...good AND bad.

As mentioned in another post, we are in the preliminary stages of study regarding the purchase of a trawler within the next year, maybe 2.

Having owned the Marine Trader, I have a few things on my mental list that are must haves, as well as a few must NOT haves.

In an attempt to start to narrow the search just a wee bit, can people list the Top 3 things they consider great about their boat, and the top 3 things they'd change if they could.

This isn't about your NEXT boat...it's about the boat you currently own.* If would be very helpful to be able to look at the responses and look at the boat in the signature.

*

Thanks,

Jim

Here you are...

Like:

1) Upper & lower helm

2) Side decks

3) Covered aft cockpit

Improvements:

1) Second stateroom

2) Transom door

3) More storage (including tankage)

*


-- Edited by Conrad on Monday 11th of July 2011 12:19:04 PM

secure 360-degree deck and 360-degree view from pilothouse

pilothouse doors on both starboard and port

keel-protected propeller/shaft/rudder

*

So far, she's the "perfect" boat.

*



*


-- Edited by markpierce on Monday 11th of July 2011 01:10:12 PM

1) safe, easy access with wide sidedecks all around.
2) reliable and proven pedigree/hull and after our fairly comprehensive refit she is in great shape despite her age.
3) fuel efficient.


Dislikes:
1) Aft tub/shower could be a few inches wider but it is ok as-is.
2) Engine room access could be a little better.
3) LOTS of exterior teak trim to take care of!

We had many sort of "love/hate" relationships with Whistful, and teak was on the list. When she was done, she was gorgeous, when she NEEDED to be done, all you could think of was the amount of work to go over everything, and the seemingly endless conversations with other boaters about what finish was best that year.
We want enough teak for maintaining some nautical heritage, but not so much that it's all we ever get to do. I say that, but if we're living aboard, I think it will be different than trying to fit all maintenance and chores into a weekend.
Don't think I'd want teak decks either. Whistful had them, and they started leaking a year after we sold her, and ended up taking out both fuel tanks.

Keep 'em coming

Jim

Haves:

1. Single engine (small diesel)
2. Easy access to all systems for maintenence
3. Dual stations - or well ventilated and weather proof single station with good visibility

Have nots:

1. Teak on exterior
2. Too much boat to maintain, unless I can afford to pay to have it maintained
3. Ugly boat, although there aren't many out there

Some likes 2003 Monk 36 (these were must haves when we were shopping)
-Single engine
-Secure walk around decks (not teak)
-Walkaround bed and stall type shower
-Upper and lower helm

Dislike
Any exterior teak, there is not a lot on my boat but still too much for my taste
Had no inverter, I have added one

Steve W

Likes:*

1) Single engine (means fuel efficiency and ease of maintenance)

2) No Side decks (means interior space is enlarged)

3) No flybridge (means simplified controls/electronics)

Improvements:

1) none

Click to expand...

Wish it was a little bigger when we have guests, wish it was a lot smaller for maintainance.* A nice set of compromises.

Our Marine Trader was a single screw, good ol' Lehman, 100hp. Other boaters at the club all maintained that you needed twins for manueverability. They would often make that comment while we were watching lobstermen manuerver their boats with the greatest of ease.
Ever seen a lobster boat with twins? I don't think that boat's been built yet.

On the flip side though is performance, especially on a 40+' boat, and being able to cruise at 10knts if you're trying to make a long passage is nice. My suspicion is that we'll end up with twins on this one.

Jim

1986 Senator 35

Like:
1- Single screw (Perkins 130)
1a- Stern thruster (no hole in your boat better maneuverability)
2- Decks all recored by previous owner
3- Single head with galley down. It leaves a full width salon without built-in seating
4- Flybridge is a MUST! Who want to be stuck indoors on a beautiful day!

Like less:

1- Would prefer a full-displacement hull
2- Flybridge surround (more of a wish)
3- Auto pilot and more current electronics (also, more of a wish)
4- Poorly placed breaker panel

5- I would give up one of our side doors for a door that allowed us to get to the sundeck without going out in the rain!


-- Edited by GonzoF1 on Monday 11th of July 2011 06:08:33 PM

like (couldn't pick only three!!)

1) galley down

2) door on each side of saloon (easy access to side decks)

3) island bed in aft cabin

4) beautiful wood inside and out, but not a lot on the outside

dislike - really hard to think of any

1) that big butt that comes with #3 above.

2) stinky salt water heads (replaced those)

3) no gauges on tanks--will add

happy shopping!

Likes:

1) Single Engine With Bow Thruster* (Very maneuverable & ER has Lots Of Room)

2) Queen Size Master Birth

3) Cockpit For Outside Enjoyment* ( Easy Access From Salon TO Cockpit)

*

Dislikes:

1) Side Decks Are Too Narrow (Hard going Forward For Anchor Detail)

2) Exterior Teak...Looks Great but Needs Constant Maintenance (Every 8-10 Months)

3) Engine Too Big..330B Cummins (Not Very Fuel Efficient)


-- Edited by SeaHorse II on Monday 11th of July 2011 06:03:25 PM

Likes:
1. It's paid for.
2. It's paid for.
3. It's paid for.
Dislikes
1. It's on the hard.
2. It's on the hard.
3 It's on the hard.

Anode wrote:
Likes:
1. It's paid for.
2. It's paid for.
3. It's paid for.

Click to expand...

*

AMEN to that!! *it is very nice not having a loan on the boat and paying cash for everything and keeping it simple!

I really Like Anode's likes. Here's a list from First Mate on Skinny Dippin'

LIKES:

1. Love the wide side decks for easy line handling

2. Love the Galley down and large shower in the head

3. Love the walk around queen bed

4. Love the large sundeck and flybridge areas for entertaining.* We sleep 2 and party 12.

5. Full keel with protected prop

DISLIKES:

1. Not paid for

2. No Flybridge curtains, yet

3. Would prefer the teak sundeck was not teak

Wow my dislike list is short, and fixable.

Like:
1. Full displacement
2. Single Screw
3. No Teak Decks
4. Galley Up
5. Upper Helm Station
6. TONS of Engine Room Access
7. New Inverter and electrical panels

Dislikes:
1. 17 Thru-hulls
2. 30 yr old mechanicals - still running strong, but....
3. No holding tank monitor
4. No thruster - yup, I've handled her for years without, but it sure would be nice....

In no particular order....

Like-

1. Twin engines
2. 2 separate staterooms/ 2 heads
3. Propane galley

Bonus likes-

1. Generator
2. Teak decks
3. Lofrans Tigres anchor windlass

Would prefer-

1. Europa configuration (for this rainy climate realizing we'd have to give up the 2 separate staterooms/ 2 heads)
2. Modern engines (preferably Lugger 150 hp N/A)
5. Modern generator (preferably Northern Lights)

Bonus would prefer-

1. All hull and superstructure dings, scratches, and scrapes removed and new paint job on entire boat.
2. Aluminum mast and boom in place of current wood mast and boom.
3. Mast mount for radar antenna instead of flying bridge face mount.

Likes-

1. Twin medium sized diesel engines (130HP each and no turbo's)
2. 2 separate staterooms/ 2 heads/one with shower and one with bath
3. 14 ft beam with walk around decks, good rough water capabilities

Three more likes: (in case you don't like the first three!)*

1. 7.5 KW Generator powers everything
2. two fridges (one built into flybridge)
3. wet shaft logs (can cruise on one engine or both)

Dislikes

1. Too much exterior wood trim (maintenance issue)
2. Not enough freezer space for long trips
5. There is never enough storage*
*

Many likes..., Few dislikes

Like

1. Large PH with great 360 deg views, heat/AC, and very low eng noise

2. Bright open galley/living areas, all 6'6" ceilings

3. Single eng with bow/stern thrusters

Dislike

1. Smallish cockpit

2. Ladder (instead of stairs)*to sun deck

3. Lack of second stateroom for stuff

Likes:
1. Lines. Always been a fan of Monks boats
2. Simple Perkins Engines
3. SHOWER. This has the best shower of any boat this size. Completely seperate from head.

Challenges:
1. Cored Decks. Will have to be dealt with some day.
2. Flybridge seating not that comfortable (working on this)
3. Windows. Working on scheduled replacement.

Bonus Likes:

Paid for
Walks around deck
Centerline queen bearth
A REAL V berth. Many boats we looked at had a doube in the bow. Son and daughter want defined seperate space.
very fuel miserly
Simple systems to repair or diagnose.


-- Edited by Max Simmons on Tuesday 12th of July 2011 04:42:26 PM

Jay N wrote:
Wish it was a little bigger when we have guests, wish it was a lot smaller for maintainance.* A nice set compromises.

Click to expand...

*X2

*

And,

Likes:

1. Flybridge

2. Europa style cockpit overhang

3. Sidedecks, transom door and swim platform for upcoming geriatric accesability.

*

Dislikes:

1. Hard to make up or get in and out of queen sized bed.

2.* Cramped shower and head.

3. A bit of a pig in a following sea.

Marin

Like-

1. Twin engines
2. 2 separate staterooms/ 2 heads
3. Propane galley

Bonus likes-

1. Generator
2. Teak decks
3. Lofrans Tigres anchor windlass

Dito!

*

Dislikes

1/ Windows that leak

2/ No holding Tank

3/ Laminate style dining table(What were they thinking!)

Likes---

Sedan style, easy access to rear deck (back porch)

Single engine--Easy to maintain and feed.

Its small and paid for and runs Great!

Dislikes.--

Not much.

*

Would be nice.

Full Europa style with overhangs.

New Teak Decks.

JohnP

*





*

Nice Teak interior is a big plus!


-- Edited by JohnP on Tuesday 12th of July 2011 05:51:19 PM

Interesting that "likes" seem to be split 50/50 on the twin engine issue.

As I said before, I wouldn't mind a stern thruster for manuevering, and twins would be "nice" for long hauls...
Going to have to dig deep into that one I think.

Jim

I really DO love having the single screw set up on our Monk. It has been very satisfying to learn to handle her in various conditions. Now I enjoy having to go to the gas dock to pump out amidst all the pontoon boats and pull her in Capt. Ron style! Seriously- every boater ought to learn how to operate a single screw trawler- it has exponentially improved my boat handling skills. If I could have twins for close quarters and a single for long hauls I'd be good with that.

As requested*** ....3 and 3.

The most important positive features:

1.*** Economy

2.*** Seaworthiness.

3.*** It's important to me to have things the way I like and want them to be and to have things and systems in close to new condition. Extensive refit DONE.

Would want in my next boat:

1.*** Faster boat or bigger boat.

2.*** Standard dinette high enough to see out all the windows.

3.*** Large dinghy w easy launch.

Likes:

Economical, effortless, quiet cruise with refit Yanmar and full keel
Space & Storage everywhere (except see below)
Large separate, intimate spaces to enjoy water

Not so likes:
Gennie blocks decent access space to holding tank & head plumbing
Battery watering difficult
Location of AC (to be moved)

Ok, re Lotus - Pluses/minuses 3 of each....

1. Love the size - big enough to liveaboard, small enough to single hand if need be.
2. Economical and simple single engine.
3. Europa/sedan style, especially now we have enhanced that by adding via frame and canvas, the extended flybridge cockpit and side deck cover as in newer models. (Take note John P, it is not an expensive idea and is the best thing we have done to her.)

Not so pluses...
1. Would prefer the lower maintenance/lower water-damage potential of less timber in construction, which means newer I guess.
2. A bit bigger, say 36 ft, to allow for a true Queen-sized double in the front stateroom instead of Vee-berth. Ok, being honest, 40 ft would be perfect, so could have a second separate stateroom, (eg Clipper 40) having said that tho, must admit it would seldom be used for guests, but lovely extra storage.
3. Hmmm...can't think of a 3 really....

Pluses

1. The wife loves it. Most of the living space is on the same level. She picked it out.
2. Overhang on the cockpit.
3. Very economical even with twin engines when cruised at 8 - 9 kts.

Minuses

1. Would like a larger cockpit.
2. Island type bed. I get up earlier and have to climb over her, she won't sleep on the inside.
3. More fuel capacity.
4. I think the next boat will be full displacement. This one rolls bad in a side to or quartering sea.

2003 Mainship 390

Likes:

Stairs to the flybridge; no ladder
wide protected side decks
single engine w/ bow thruster

dislikes:

hull design causes a lot of wave slap when on the hook
generator access is poor
would like a better seating layout on the flybridge

John