There are several boating magazine’s that go into details on trawlers. PassageMaker, Yachting, Sea, Pacific Yachting, Ocean Navigator, Soundings, Power and Motoryacht, and Power Cruising are all great resources. Pick up an issue of each, pour through the contents and get a feel for that magazines style and then subscribe to publications that speak to your interests. As you delve deeper into trawlers, articles and advertisements will help you determine which “brand” you find the most appealing and appropriate for your cruising plans.
Additionally, the internet is a great way to discover more boat specific trawler details. The two largest multiple listing services (MLS) internet directories are YachtWorld and YATCO. Here you can research the price, location, specifications, model year, etc. of just about every trawler brand trawler. You can compare models and learn the differences between brands. As you begin to narrow your search to the right size and brand(s) you can even “Google” these specific models to find out even more details.
Reading about trawlers in print or online should pique your interest and give you a knowledgeable foundation, but there is nothing more convincing than getting aboard a trawler and seeing for yourself exactly what they are all about. Every year, around the world, there are dozens of boat shows that provide this opportunity. When you get ready to board trawlers you are considering buying, here are some things to think about:
- How do you physically fit in the living and working spaces?
- Is there enough headroom and are the hallways easy to walk through?
- Can you see out the pilothouse windows? What about seating in the saloon, is it comfortable and can you look outside?
- Are the stateroom beds big enough and comfortable for getting a good night’s sleep?
- Can you easily sit down on the head and are the showers big enough?
- Do you have enough room to move about in the working spaces – engine room and lazarette – for normal inspections and service of equipment?
- Do you like the fit and finish, is the quality level appropriate with the price you will pay?
One of the last things to consider before purchasing a trawler is how it looks outside of the water. Seeing trawlers out of the water is very revealing. A good, qualified yacht broker will set aside time to visit a ship yard with you and show you trawlers hauled out of the water. There, you can learn a great deal about hull shape, thrusters, through hulls, active fins, rudders, propellers and shafts. You will also be able to better appreciate what will happen when you run aground (a reality of cruising – most times a soft landing, not a big crunch) and should be aware of the design choices you have.