Hello from Phoenix

My father and I are looking to buy our first trawler together.
Our main goals are the great loop and the northwest passage cruise.
My biggest concern is I do NOT want a crew cabin, but would prefer a walkaround up front.
We are currently thinking about doing some four day trips to Cali and Florida so we can talk to some brokers.

Any suggestions on who I should be talking to?

Thanks y'all, and have a wonderful day.

Texas_Mike said:

My father and I are looking to buy our first trawler together.
Our main goals are the great loop and the northwest passage cruise.
My biggest concern is I do NOT want a crew cabin, but would prefer a walkaround up front.
We are currently thinking about doing some four day trips to Cali and Florida so we can talk to some brokers.

Any suggestions on who I should be talking to?

Thanks y'all, and have a wonderful day.

Click to expand...

The Portland and Seattle areas have lots to offer in the way of boat looking. What vessels and size currently look favorable? How do you define a crew cabin and a walk around up front?

Welcome aboard. Have fun with your search.

We talked this morning, and thought about doing the Washington and Oregon brokers after we try FL and CA.
As for the cabins, neither of us would be happy with a bunk. I have seen a few that have the same kind of bedroom in the from V as in the aft.

You are not ready to see brokers shopping quite yet. You need to more clearly define your needs regarding travel plans, budget, size of boat vs ability to handle it. Then you can begin to build a list of things you want vs what you need. Things like gas vs diesel, galley up or down, plaining hull or displacement, etc.

When you can answer more of these questions you can go see a broker. If you do it too soon and shop for and buy a boat merely based on cabin locations you will end up with the wrong boat.

pete

Mike, welcome aboard.
You have told us a pretty board operating area. Where do you intend to home port? How long are you prepared to stay away from shore, weeks, month?
What boating experience do you two have? A few courses will bring you two up to speed. Navigation and maintenance of the engines a assorted all encompassing system. Others' will disagree with me but, 2-3 year old paper charts a good if all your electronic navigation goes belly up.
Charter a boat with a Captain for a couple of weeks. Pick his brain clean of all information. You can charter a few different brands to see what fits the life style you and your father have chosen.
New or used?
The definition of a trawler has been discussed in this group for years without a conclusion. Basically, most boats are now being called trawlers for marketing purposes. Discuss it with your broker the definition of a trawler and be prepared to doubt his definition.
So many opportunities to spend your money on the west coast LOL
I will not mention any brand names unless provoked by others.
I can answer the easy questions first.
You and your dad, 2 staterooms. (40+ft)
Walk around front? Portuguese bridge? Wont find them on boats less than 40+ft and then only on a few boats. If you want protect walk around side decks, 40+ft. IF you get into the "big boy" boats, these bridges and protected side decks are very common.
"Dont want a crew cabin" IMO, that does limit the maximum length to 50+ max. unless both of you have years of experience in boat and line handling, good communication and trust in each other.
On a dark and stormy night you will wish you had one or two experienced people on board.
So much more to be said but dont want to bore you plus, gotta let others talk LOL
Ask specific questions and be prepared to get at least 6 different opinions.
We are here to help you spend your money!!!
Dan.

And this is why I signed up here, to find out these things.

Ok, homeport is anywhere from Kenai to New York. Ideally we are thinking of spending a year on it in Galveston area as that is close to home for us. And we can get used to the boat in that time.
In that year, I plan on some diesel mech schooling as well as all Coast Guard training and etc...
We are looking at used, and no older than an 80's. I know he likes Defever, California?, and Grand Banks.

As stated, that is why I am on here. To ask questions and learn.
I have found a one(1) week class out of Florida on Trawlers:https://trawlerschoolcharters.com/
Any other suggestions?

Welcome to TF. The only advice I would give you would be to look at boat porn (yachtworld) decide what is a go/no go and go from there. Most of all have fun with your dad in the search.

Oh and get in good with the Salt River lock Master for your run to the ocean...lol

Texas_Mike said:

As stated, that is why I am on here. To ask questions and learn.
I have found a one(1) week class out of Florida on Trawlers:https://trawlerschoolcharters.com/
Any other suggestions?

Click to expand...

Chapman's School in Stuart FL.
They have a couple of schools stressing boat handling, rules of the road, navigation, little bit on diesels.

Hi, you mentioned Kenai Alaska as a possible home port. Getting to Kenai would require crossing the Gulf of Alaska, a long haul through open ocean. If you are set on Kenai, you might want a different kind of boat. The Inside Passage is well within the capabilities of many boats, but my guess (I haven’t crossed the Gulf of Alaska) is that getting to the Kenai Peninsula might require more of a passage maker. This might be worth further consideration...

In your original post you say your goals are the great loop and the northwest passage.

If the northwest passage you are aiming for is Atlantic to Pacific over the top of Canada you'll need a boat specifically for that voyage. Ice hardened hull, protected running gear, heavy redundant systems and the ability to go extremely long distances and long periods of time with little to no support. Fuel, provisions, parts, services will be almost non existent. None of the boats you listed in later posts are suitable.

Along those lines, there are many many boats out there for sale with comfort items designed for warm weather, or cold weather, but not necessarily for both. Cruising up to Alaska you may want heat any month of the year. Doing the loop you may want cool air conditioning. Many boats have only one or the other, and reverse cycle heat that comes with many AC systems is of limited utility in the PNW.

Yes you can install one or the other later, but like many systems it is always cheaper to buy a boat with it installed.

The AT34 boats for the east coast and west coast have 2 built in resistance heaters. One in the saloon and one in the owner's stateroom
The east coast boats also have 2 reverse cycle A/C.
I am not sure if the west coast boats include an oil furnace.

Mike

I live just up the hill from you in Prescott. I am headed to Florida to look at a boat, next week. I am also planning to do the loop, starting this year, hoping Canada is open next year and will go back to cruise Canada and complete the loop next year. If you would like to talk, send me a PM, and I will send you my number, and we can talk on the phone.

I have spent most of my life at sea, cruised the PNW, and now it is time to do the Great Loop