Trailer Trawler

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Wattsup

Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2013
Messages
6
Location
USA
Vessel Name
Somewhere
Vessel Make
1975 Fales Navigator 32
Is there such a thing as a trailerable trawler? 27-30' range.
 
Yes, but trailering will require overwidth permits. And it will take a pretty heavy truck, preferably with duallies to pull it.

David
 
Have a look at the 28’ Ranger Tugs. They have the 8’ beam needed.
 
Yes, but trailering will require overwidth permits. And it will take a pretty heavy truck, preferably with duallies to pull it.

David
Overwidth annual permits are available from some states. Just search your DOT for 'over dimensional'...a heckuva lot there so read closely....usually a sub heading for 'transport of personal boat'.
One note, it will require $2mil liability insurance...so if needed explore an umbrella to bump you up.
 
Look at Rosborough "Pocket Trawlers." They are now making "RHIB Trawlers" instead, but I haven't seen any of those in person so I can't comment. The pocket trawlers seemed like a pretty good compromise.
 
I just checked out the Rosborough RHIB. Neat boat.

David
 
Here are some good articles and links, although these really are more like powerboats. When I think of Trawler I think of displacement speeds? But I guess the word Trawler has been expanded over the years.

Here's a link to a thread on TF, where I did find the Nimble Nomad. That to me is more like a Trawler.






 
BTW, I just had a trailer made for my boat, had it overbuilt. Got sick and tired of half arsed truckers brining crap trailers that did not work. Also, I have a trailer whenever I need it, can move the boat, and work on it out of the water etc.

If you need one made, there is a company in West Columbia SC that made this especially for the Fairchild Scout, I think they have made four- Mine cost around $17,500 for my 30 foot boat. You could get one lest costly and I suppose you could pay more. They could make one for just about any boat.

Here is an example of what it might look like (pre-Hinckley refurbishment). It is a chore for me moving a boat like this, so I normally hire a company to do the moving, but it cost far less. An example is from Savannah to Lake Keowee, roughly $800.00. So, if the boat you find does not have one, don't hesitate to have one built.

BTW if anyone is looking for a true project boat, that Scout on the other side of the camper can probably be practically picked up for nothing. It is a total project, owner has ill health, and has been sitting for years, Hinckley Savannah.
 

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Yes, but trailering will require overwidth permits. And it will take a pretty heavy truck, preferably with duallies to pull it.

David
Au contraire shipmate! Most trailer trawlers have less than a 9' beam. That is why they are called "trailer trawlers". I own one at 28' 8'beam. I am looking at it now, as I type, sitting on its trailer. There is a group on facebook named Trailer Trawlers. The OP should have a look at it. Outstanding resource. I pull mine with a Ford F-250 diesel. The boat and trailer weigh around 6500 lbs. I bought it in Michigan and pulled it 1100 miles down the interstate to Florida sans permits at a steady 65 mph. The diesel purred at 11.5 mpg. Easy peasy.
 

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Au contraire shipmate! Most trailer trawlers have less than a 9' beam. That is why they are called "trailer trawlers". I own one at 28' 8'beam. I am looking at it now, as I type, sitting on its trailer. There is a group on facebook named Trailer Trawlers. The OP should have a look at it. Outstanding resource. I pull mine with a Ford F-250 diesel. The boat and trailer weigh around 6500 lbs. I bought it in Michigan and pulled it 1100 miles down the interstate to Florida sans permits at a steady 65 mph. The diesel purred at 11.5 mpg. Easy peasy.
100% Agree- I tow an Albin 28TE with my gasser 2500HD about 70 miles to our lake a few times per year. (otherwise, it's slipped) permit is $100/year for towing oversized load in state. (10.5' beam) Wish I had a diesel, but 97% of the year I don't need it. Also, a member of Trailer Trawlers and there are several smaller models that I would still consider a trawler.
 
I have a Camano 31 that has a 11 ft beam. Supposed to be trailerable and is a very comfortable boat for a crew of 2
 

This may be the ultimate trailerable trawler, built at the Brooklin Boat Yard in Maine. It is designed to be moved around on a trailer, with only a 7' beam, and is so fuel efficient that at 7.5 knots it only 1/4 gal. per hour, from a 36-hp diesel!
I only learned about it from someone on the Downeast forum, who suggested a visit to this builder. Don't know the cost, but I suspect it ain't cheap!
For a more affordable option, check out "eastern boats.com". They make Eastern, Seaway and Rosborough trailerable boats, in New Hampshire. More downeast style than trawler, but I have a friend who traded down last year from a large sailboat to a Seaway 24, and loves it.
 
Is there such a thing as a trailerable trawler? 27-30' range.
+1 Rosborough
Skip the RIB IMO and get the RF246. Parties six, feeds for, sleeps two; $200k new, $40-$110k used. Yachtworld has a few listings; there are occasional FS notices on their FB group; and if you're serious, there is a active subscription-only discussion group on GROUPS.IO. Good luck,

SM
m/v TIDBIT
RF246 LSV #202
 

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My Albin 27 qualifies, although at 9'6" it needs a wide load permit. My f250 10 cylinder toes it fine. I had a custom trailer built about 5 years ago for $6,500 in Ft Meyers FL. The Ranger Tugs seem like the best alternative. Under 28 feet are 8.5 feet wide. No wide load permit needed. Ranger switched from inboard diesels to outboards a few years back. New ones get up on a plane. Seems un-trawler like to me.
 
Is there such a thing as a trailerable trawler? 27-30' range.
Ranger Tugs are well made and are advertised as being trailerable without permits. The Ranger 27 and 29 are pretty good boats. The 27 comes with an outboard. I think the 29 does also. The 31 is inboard diesel. Connect with Ian Morris at Pocket Yachts in Jensen Beach FL. Good guy.
 
Look for a Nimble Wanderer, 29’, no permit needed. I happen to have a custom made trailer for that model for sale.
 
One more trailerable trawler, this one built at Trawlers Midwest, called 'Ecotrawler'. It is aluminum, made in Wisconsin, and powered by a single or dual outboards. At 30' long it is right in the range you are looking for. I have never been on one, but there is an article in 'PassageMaker' about it that you can find on-line. Once you really start looking, you find that there are a lot of folks out there building boats that are definitely not cookie-cutter.
Peter
 
Just bought a Vashon 23 trailerable trawler, no trailer though. Have a friend with an Albin 25 on a trailer.
 
I am cruising in the PNW and recently met a Ranger Tug 33. The owner is a farmer in Alberta and keeps the boat in a heated barn at his farm during the winters. He has his own trailer and a heavy pickup. I was amazed !
 
A bunch of years ago when we were hauling a trailer we met a couple from, I don't really remember but I think Alberta, heading for Florida but taking a long route through California. They were towing a bout a 27' boat, I think a Ranger.
We talked to them a bit while they were seated on the back deck.

'Twas interesting. THey were having a good trip.
 
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