TrawlerFest Anacortes 2025, was held as a featured part of a larger boat show, once again expanding the number of people coming down to the docks. This Pacific Northwest of TrawlerFest edition brought together a great crowd of trawler enthusiasts, combining a scenic setting with serious interest from buyers, owners, and marine industry professionals alike.
JMYS is proud to serve as a national sponsor of the TrawlerFest events produced by PassageMaker Magazine. Each show brings together an outstanding group of passionate boaters and seasoned experts – all gathering on the docks to talk boats.
Jeff and Pam Merrill, along with Pam’s father, Jon Ingebrigtsen, arrived early to set up the JMYS display tent in the parking lot and prepare for the week ahead.
Jeff hit the ground running with one of his most popular presentations. Wednesday started strong with Jeff’s evergreen seminar, “Dialing In Your Trawler.” This session drew a packed room full of engaged attendees. Some were current trawler owners hoping to fine-tune their systems, while others were preparing for future ownership – taking notes, jotting ideas, and asking smart questions.
Throughout the week, we met with several clients to walk boats and talk plans. In addition to the dozens of trawlers on the display docks, Jeff met with a client to tour two Kadey-Krogen 39s in the nearby area (not in the show), and Jeff also met with another client to visit a Nordhavn 50 listed for sale at Cap Sante Marina.
The docks offered plenty of action and opportunity to engage, explore, and take in the latest from various brokers and builders. We were also able to meet with several vendors we work with regularly.
One of Jeff’s favorite seminars is “Trawler Buying Tips”, where he moderates a panel of seasoned industry professionals. The team walks through the entire trawler buying process – from selecting a broker to finding a boat and writing up an offer, surveying, and navigating legal steps like taxes, titling, and tariffs.
Jeff has moderated this seminar for years and continues to enjoy sharing what he’s learned from decades in the business. The panel featured: Kieran Conaty of Sterling Associates (marine lending), John Posey of Total Dollar (marine insurance), Matt Maynard of Irwin Yacht
Sales (yacht broker), Jim Merrick of Merrick Marine (marine surveyor), Greg Singer of Lochner Law Firm (marine attorney) and Jeff Merrill of JMYS (yacht broker)
The “Trawler Transactions” article series in PassageMaker magazine penned by Jeff is available on the JMYS website offers a great companion resource to this session. Check out the one page hand out Jeff gave to attendees.
The weather cooperated beautifully – just a touch of dampness early on, followed by gorgeous, sunny skies. The energy around the tents and docks was upbeat and inviting. This was a great crowd, and the location made it easy for everyone to connect.
As part of our event coverage, Jeff filmed a new installment of our “Dock Walk and Talk” video series – capturing the sights and sounds of TrawlerFest Anacortes 2025. Shot right on location, the video takes you through the tent displays and along the docks, offering a firsthand look at the atmosphere of the show.
From casual conversations with fellow cruisers to highlights of the boats on display, this walk-through captures the essence of what makes TrawlerFest such a special gathering. Whether you attended and want to relive it, or missed the event and want to catch a glimpse, the Dock Walk and Talk gives you a great feel for the setting, layout, and enthusiasm on site.
A standout moment from the week was seeing the world premiere of the Helmsman 46. Jeff toured the new model with Scott Helker, President and Founder of Helmsman Trawlers. This boat represents a strong new addition to the Helmsman line, and we’re confident it’s going to be a very popular design for the brand.
Friday afternoon featured another TrawlerFest favorite: the “Ask the Experts” panel. Jeff served as moderator, guiding the conversation and fielding questions from a highly engaged audience. Panelists included: Eric Bescoby (JMYS), Bud LeMieux (Northern Marine), Patrick Noor (DMS Holland), Brian Calvert (Selene Philippines), Matt Maynard (Irwin Yacht Sales), Wayne Goldman (Selene Americas) and Jeff Merrill (JMYS).
This session is always different – no two panels are ever the same – and there’s always something new to learn as regulations, technologies, and best practices evolve.
JMYS broker Eric Bescoby returned to present his popular seminar, “The Big U.” Having nearly completed the Big U twice, Eric’s firsthand perspective and well-organized presentation resonated with attendees. As promised, you can download a PDF of his PowerPoint presentation.
Brian Calvert, from Selene Philippines, gave a presentation about cruising in Asia based on his wonderful cruising experiences. Unfortunately, the seminar did not make the program publishing deadline. Brian is a good friend of Jeff’s and the two were able to have fun reminiscing about long ago boat shows and mutual clients.
As always, we’re grateful to connect with so many enthusiastic trawler fans in such a beautiful setting. Special thanks to Firecrown Media – the new owners of PassageMaker Magazine and TrawlerFest – for putting on another well-organized, energetic, and educational event.
The final TrawlerFest of 2025 will be held this September in Baltimore – we hope to see you there as we wrap up the year and start planning for 2026!
