New Member & Trawler Search

[Tranquil Rick]

I’m a new member with 9 years of boating experience, all outboard or stern drive with most recent boats being Regal 42 FXO Flybridge (triple engine gas hog) and True North 34 twin outboard (most recent boats and both joystick control….love it). I’m no youngster at 76 and my wife a year younger.

Our dilemma is finding a flybridge boat (my wife’s fondest desire) that I can handle alone if she’s struggling with medical issues (Regal was too big, even with Dockmate). We live in Florida (winter) and summer in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. We’ve trucked the True North back and forth but I might cruise it in the future with an experienced captain. The True North is a great couple’s boat but we miss the flybridge and split head.

We’ve been looking at trawlers as a possible next boat (before we “age out” of boating! and sure could use advice on boats that might fit our wants and needs!…..
…Musts: flybridge that seats two, I.e. side by side buckets….a boat I can handle by myself (with side door at salon helm/pilothouse for docking)…and either joystick control or bow/stern thrusters with single/duel inboard)….
…High Wants: Side by side helm seats in salon, outboards or inboards with keel protection for prop(s) due to nasty sandy shoals in Florida (no pods)….used boat that comes in well below $1M….good stability in rough water…and separate toilet and shower (no wet head)…with good sized queen in master stateroom (2nd stateroom for storage or getaway)…and a length close to 40’ or less…..finally, easy access to all equipment for maintenance (by techs or me for standards checks )

Does a boat like this exist?…thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[Mac2]

How fast do you need to go?

 

[Tranquil Rick]

8-10 cruising but 12-14 if needed would be a “nice to have”

 

[Mac2]

Something like this. https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2009-american-tug-41-9597386/

 

[Tranquil Rick]

Beautiful boat…we’d like to see a 2-5 year old Nordic 40, trying to stay away from an updating work on an older boat.

 

[Comodave]

Welcome aboard. The problem with flybridges is the ladders and a lot of steps as you get older. My wife wanted an express cruiser after our last boat. She loves the one level outside. So if I were you I would look at something with steps to the flybridge instead of a ladder. Something like a Mainship 390.

 

[Mac2]

Beautiful boat…we’d like to see a 2-5 year old Nordic 40, trying to stay away from an updating work on an older boat.

Really depends on the previous owner. A lot of times the boat will have added systems that improve a boat and/or improve the function- i.e. stabilizers, solar panels, fuel polishers, lithium batteries, etc.

 

[Helmsman]

I’m a new member with 9 years of boating experience, all outboard or stern drive with most recent boats being Regal 42 FXO Flybridge (triple engine gas hog) and True North 34 twin outboard (most recent boats and both joystick control….love it). I’m no youngster at 76 and my wife a year younger.

Our dilemma is finding a flybridge boat (my wife’s fondest desire) that I can handle alone if she’s struggling with medical issues (Regal was too big, even with Dockmate). We live in Florida (winter) and summer in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. We’ve trucked the True North back and forth but I might cruise it in the future with an experienced captain. The True North is a great couple’s boat but we miss the flybridge and split head.

We’ve been looking at trawlers as a possible next boat (before we “age out” of boating! and sure could use advice on boats that might fit our wants and needs!…..
…Musts: flybridge that seats two, I.e. side by side buckets….a boat I can handle by myself (with side door at salon helm/pilothouse for docking)…and either joystick control or bow/stern thrusters with single/duel inboard)….
…High Wants: Side by side helm seats in salon, outboards or inboards with keel protection for prop(s) due to nasty sandy shoals in Florida (no pods)….used boat that comes in well below $1M….good stability in rough water…and separate toilet and shower (no wet head)…with good sized queen in master stateroom (2nd stateroom for storage or getaway)…and a length close to 40’ or less…..finally, easy access to all equipment for maintenance (by techs or me for standards checks )

Does a boat like this exist?…thanks in advance for your thoughts!

This fits everything you want. I have been on this boat several times and it is pristine. It is 45 feet long with oversized shower and bath. Second bedroom is the salon settee which makes a very comfortable double bed, with the day head servicing as the bathroom for it. A lot of storage. I have the 38E and it is crazy how much more room is on the 43e. Also a very easy boat to single hand.

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2023-helmsman-trawlers-43e-pilothouse-9586159/

 

[READY]

Beautiful boat…we’d like to see a 2-5 year old Nordic 40, trying to stay away from an updating work on an older boat.

What needs updating on the NT listed? Photos can be misleading but that one appears to be bristol and seemed to check all your boxes. Price range for 2-5 years old would likely be north of your target price.

 

[Nick14]

Is this your True North 34 listed for sale?

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2023-true-north-34-outboard-express-9540773/

 

[PNK]

You could also check out the Helmsman 38 listed on this forum. It is pretty close to new, and checks most of your boxes.
But I agree with Commodave about flybridge steps rather than ladder; I have that same problem. Some Mainships offer steps, but also some aft-cabin trawlers, where you will have 2 or 3 steps up to the trunk deck, and then another 3 or so up to the flybridge.
Good luck with the search.
Peter