Trawlers

Trawlers are fuel efficient yet rugged, seaworthy displacement hull designs designed for blue-water and long-distance operation. They are built of FRP up to around 80’ (24 m) with larger ones usually made of aluminum or steel (with aluminum superstructures). Engines are reduced horsepower as they are designed to only achieve a certain speed, thus more any further horsepower doesn’t help or conserve fuel. Full displacement hulls are for the yachters who value distance and comfort over speed. Trawlers typically have deeper drafts (with a skeg or keel deeper than the propellers so that props aren’t damaged if the hull touches the bottom). Larger luxury yachts in the 120’ (40m) plus range are considered motoryachts, yet typically share the same displacement characteristics as trawlers (more horsepower makes fuel consumption at this level ridiculous). 


Many yachters are drawn to the idea of crossing oceans and exploring the far reaches of our wonderful globe – thus the expedition style of trawler. Of note however, most ice-bound regions require a yacht with special reinforcement, especially around the bow waterline area. Asia imports small to mid-sized FRP trawlers for the US market -   Fleming and Grand Alaskan are built in Taiwan yards. Selene and Nordhavn are built in  China.   Kingship, a large (90-140’)  steel trawler style with European architectural pedigree is also built in China. The Pacific Northwest in the US has a few notable trawler manufacturers – Aleutian ( steel construction), Nordic Tug and  Fathom Yachts.  Cape Horn trawlers were built in Nova Scotia. Palmer Johnson in the Great Lakes region have produced a few big expedition yachts. Realship is building in Alabama while Newcastle is building expedition style superyachts in Florida. Europe, particularly northern Holland produces some of the finest, high-end customs trawlers in the world – builders such as Kuipers, Lowland and Heesen have produced some masterpieces in the world of trawlers and expedition yachts. Inace in Brazil has been exporting 60-95’ trawlers over the last decade. Grand Banks has been a cornerstone in the trawler market for decades and are built in Malaysia