Boat Guys- Tell Me About Trawler Style Boats

[MT930]

I was in Seattle last fall kicking around Lake Union went aboard a Nordic tug 49 that was for sale.

Nordic Tug 49 - Nordic Tugs

Wow excellent workmanship absolutely gorgeous boat. Looks very livable and just made sense in all the features. The helm very sensible and well laid out. The used ones are not much more than ocean front condos.

I could spend some time on one of these it looked like the perfect combo for Northwestern cruising & exploring

What are the pros and cons to this style of boat ? How are Nordic Tugs ranked among other boats in the 40-50 foot class.

Are there better manufactures?

I know they are slow and that's fine. I would love to hear about them from someone that knows.

[Radioactive]

I thought a Grand Banks was the go to for trawlers, don't know about Nordic Tugs, would love to hear what you find out.

[cstreit]

I could live on that

[tevake]

That looks to be a nicely crafted vessel. And comfortablely traditional in its lay out.
Probably well suited to those northwestern waters.

Does it have the conventional trawlers single engine and prop?

If you are content with slower cruising speeds, good economy at slower speeds but fairly high fuel consumption at medium to upper speeds. Some extra challenges when maneuvering at slow speeds. This configuration can be a very satisfactory type. It will have relitivaly compact living layout. It will have a rather stout construction, and a solid feel under way and at dockside.
Easy to heat inside. Well set up for operating from indoors. Well suited for a small close crew.

This type of boats are well established in the PNW and northward. And for good reasons.

You can probably sense that I have mixed feelings about the traditional trawler type.
I've become a multihull convert. And would look for an aluminum hulled well setup cruising catamaran. The reasons, way better operating qualities, better economy, way higher cruising speeds, easer handleing in close quarters, two smaller engines giving redundancy for safety, spaced out accomadations for more privacy for a larger crew. Etc. but that's me.

I had thought Nordic Tugs were built in Taiwan, but a glance at there website indicated Thay are built in the U S.

I haven't been aboard Nordic Tugs, so what do I know. I did my season of sailing in Alaska in a Lapworth 36, and helped deliver a Coronado 43 across the gulf. Both vessels not well suited to the waters at all.

I'm interested in hearing the views of those with more experience in these boats.

Cheers Richard

[MT930]

There are some compromises the single engine is a concern. The prop and rudder are semi protected.

Most of the later 37FT & up models have a bow thruster & stern thruster that would make maneuvering easier in tight spaces.

[MT930]

Flathead Lake or Yellowstone lake would be good the San Juan islands would be better.

Must be very expensive to tow on the road ?

Would a 42 have a standard trailer or would you contract boat hauler?

The Nordic Tug 42 Fly Bridge is a nice size. It would be used and 5+ years old based on the prices I'm seeing.

It's the build quality for the money that get my attention. The slow speed economy and the stability.

[Cajundaddy]

Slow, stout, easy motion at sea, high build quality.

I am also a multihull type but appreciate the Tug for her many qualities. We have friends that lived aboard a Nordic Tug for 5 years in the San Juans and loved it.

[Sunroof]

Here on the east coast (southeast) you find more traditional Trawlers (Albin, Grand Banks, Marine Trader, CHB, Mainship, etc); however, in the Pacific northwest, to take on those heavy sea conditions and weather it seems the stronger boats (Krogen, Nordic, Nordhavn, Ocean Alexander, to name a few) are more prevalent. The bow or stern thruster is always a must have, but the question is always, "do I need two engines"? You can get by easily on an Intracoastal Waterway journey or "Great Loop" run with the one engine and thruster set up. On these older Trawlers the Ford Lehman (120 hp) is the most common diesel and will go for over 8,000 hours without a rebuild. They are a great value here. I would prefer two engines though on the west coast. The Nordic, in my opinion is an extremely well built boat and worth the money. Nordic will at least hold up better with re-sale.

Bob
Catalina 30 "Breezin II"
Georgia

[MT930]

Originally Posted by Sunroof

The bow or stern thruster is always a must have, but the question is always, "do I need two engines"? You can get by easily on an Intracoastal Waterway journey or "Great Loop" run with the one engine and thruster set up.

^^
Exactly what I am discovering

Burning two engines in not worth it. This boat would be used inland only.
In fact I doubt I would want to go more than 3 hours out to a weekend anchorage.
at higher RPM's it's a guzzler.


This is 2010-2011 Boat with a Cummins

"Most owners run the boat at 10 to 12 knots. At 10, the Cummins is turning 1800 rpm and burning about 6gph; at 12 knots, engine speed rises to 2200 rpm and fuel consumption to about 9.5gph, according to information developed by Cummins Northwest, Inc., an engine distributor.

The 42 will cruise faster, at a price. At 16 knots, with the engine turning 2500 rpm, the Cummins burns 1 gallon of fuel per mile traveled. "

The newer Volvo's D11-510HP are thriftier at 5.0 GPH @ 10 KTS

[Sunroof]

Agree.
The two engine set up on an inland waterway or even coastal cruising just adds more heat to the cabin, more fuel burned, extra needed parts, maintenance, etc, etc. I do not feel its worth it here on the east coast. If I were to transition into a Trawler to run the "Great Loop", I would probably go with the 36 Albin, single engine (Ford Lehman - 120 hp) and bow thruster. I could run all day at 7-8 knots. Why cruise faster when your intent is to explore and just take your time.

Bob _/)

[Sunroof]

The classic Albin 36 Trawler

[tevake]

Why go faster? You don't have to if you want to just cruise along. But with the capibility you can out run approaching weather, push thru tide flows. Expand your cruising range in a given time. Make that harbor before dark etc.
Or just putt along with greater fuel economy when not needing to push. It's nice and and can add a safety buffer to have the extra speed at hand.

I think the ability to expand the cruising area if running from a given point for many years is one of the best uses.

Also the displacement type hulls are often a bit rolly at anchor in less than smooth conditions.

None of these are totally compelling issues , just points to consider when shopping around.

Cheers Richard

[Sunroof]

I am comparing apples to oranges here when looking at cruising grounds (east and west) and am not taking anything away from the Nordic line. Even the Nordic Tug 25 is an able mighty little cruiser with great amenities for a boat so small. East coast conditions compared to the Northwest differ greatly. We have a well protected Intracoastal Waterway (the ditch) that is very easy to navigate. All these trawlers come with weather radar systems and identifying advancing storms provides enough time to set the hook, or take shelter if a marina or harbor is close by. Sure speed helps, but they can take on a storm head on with their high sheared bow. These Taiwanese built Trawlers that were massed produced in the 1980's and 1990's, like the Albin were not well known for sea kindly performance despite their robust displacement. You pick your coastal runs carefully if your going offshore. here The bigger and better built Trawlers like the Nordic or Krogen are more sea-kindly and suited for your Pacific coast cruising. That's been apparent to me by the number you read about that run up into Alaska in mostly open waters. Which ever coast, whatever Trawler, these vessels were meant to provide comfort and safety with all the creature comforts of home. In my travels (I ran the ICW in my 35 foot sailboat years ago) I came upon many Trawlers who just cruised along with me, plugging along at 7 knots. You cannot beat a Trawler for "CRUISING" along and exploring.

[tevake]

OH, well the intended use and area make up a lot of what goes into choosing the best boat for you to select.

In the PNW. I had been thinking of the Puget Sound and surrounding waters. With the likely hood of the inside passage to SE Alaska calling to you. It sure does to me.

But if inland fresh water short distance cruising is the goal, then a single engine with thruster could serve very well. A radio, or your tender lashed along side could manage most contingencies.

Sorry for going off on my own course, us old captains can tend to do that.

Enjoy your hunt and keep,us in the loop, it's fun to boat shop even vicariously.

Cheers Richard

[Sunroof]

Same to you Richard. I have been a sailor now going on 50 years! Transitioning to a Trawler always seems close, but our dream of doing the "Great Loop" might have to be put on hold as the Illinois Barge Canal might be shut down to stop the Asian Carp from further migration into the Great Lakes. What's interesting is that, more sailboats (with masts down of course) were doing the Great Loop since gas prices awhile back were high and the thrifty three cylinder diesel was more cost effective. Today, with fuel prices way low, the Trawler looks pretty inviting. Until then...................I will just sail my Catalina 30 Mark II. Lovely boat.

Sure would love that Nordic Trawler though!!!!!!

[gtc]

Originally Posted by MT930

...
This is 2010-2011 Boat with a Cummins
...

I'd buy something with a Cat, but I might be biased.
(ok, i work for the local dealer, NC)

[intakexhaust]

They are neat and seem to be the popular thing for newly retires. I've talked to a few couples and they love it.

As for Nordic, the only time I had really looked close up was at a boat show middle 1990's. Initial impression looked of higher quality, decent glass work, wire looms appeared more thought out than other production boats. Haven't looked lately at them and realize its a pleasure craft but would hope those hulls still have some thick, robust integrity.

If the choice, would go twin anytime. Maneuverability is a given but more so the insurance. No fooling around, the Great Lakes are big water. And then there's folk thinking they have all the weather charting this-that and can quickly take safe harbor. BS! Things brew fast and before you know it, you're in some wicked helluva time.

[afterburn 549]

Please remember - thanx to your goberment all the newer stuff have computerized engines.
I think that point makes them less reliable. (actually I know it)
I would not want to be pretty far from somewhere and have the whatsitsfuzzit quit!
In the older days all a diesel needed was number 2 and air.
Not anymore.

[gatotom]

Sunroof, nice sailboat. We are sailors here, we just got a Sabre 38 Mk 2 from Dartmouth, MA, had it trucked out and now in the shop for some keel work, nothing radical just buffing it out.

MT930, to my knowledge anything over 30' needs a truck transport so no trailer. Nordic tugs are beautiful, if I went that route it would be a Nordic tug. Twin screws greatly help when it comes to getting it in the slip, cross winds ad current can be brutal, bow thrusters help immensely.

tevake, that is why we moved up to a Sabre, the inside passage and the pacific is calling bigtime. The San Juans are the sailing grounds we sail in. They are OK but the winds can be fickled around the islands.

[afterburn 549]

Make sure you visit Deception Pass! (Watch the tide)