Trailerable Trawler / Troller for ICW Great Loop

[ClayKorn]

Hello,
I've been reading this forum for some time now and finally decided to post a topic. I realize that this topic was discussed in "economical coastal cruiser". But the thread soon deteriorated into a discussion on the difference between compromise and optimization. Once the thread got back on track, the discussion turned to another boat than was first described.

I’m interested in a trailerable trawler / troller to build in order to cruise the ICW Great Loop. Listed below are the features / requirements I’m looking for in current order of importance.

1) Hull can be built in a 3 car garage ~ 20 x 30. ( I realize the superstructure will have to be built outside due to ceiling height).
2) Easily trailerable: 8.5' beam max, total trailer weight 8000 # max
3) economical to operate (displacement hull) ~25 hp.
4) Reasonable Accommodations:
a) double berth
b) head with shower or separate shower
c) standing headroom in galley
d) easy access to the fore deck
e) enclosed pilot house

I’m open to either inboard or outboard power. The stern drives that I have seen seem to be outside of the power requirements of “economical to operate”.

In my search for plans, I like the Coastal Cruiser and Hercules at Glen-L. They seem to meet most of my requirements. However, I wanted to see what else was out there before I purchased any plans.
https://www.boatdesigns.com/25-Coastal-Cruiser-trailerable-motoryacht/products/802/
https://www.boatdesigns.com/24-Hercules-trailerable-cruising-yacht/products/395/

Thanks for any responses
Clay

[Tad]

52525

[Tad]

Google Champlain by Phil Bolger.......

52526

[Tad]

Windermere is the larger version.......

52527

[cthippo]

Trailer Trawler 28 from Chesapeake Marine Designs
www.cmdboats.com

http://www.cmdboats.com/images/trailertrawler28.jpg
http://www.cmdboats.com/images/trailertrawler28_plan.jpg

[DCockey]

Sam Devlin has some interesting designs. http://www.devlinboat.com/
His powerboat designs are at: http://store.devlinboat.com/powerboatandtrawlerplans.aspx

He makes a good argument for outboard power for larger trailerable boats with efficient hulls given the efficiency of today's 4-stroke outboards including considerably lower intial cost than diesel inboard, more room in the boat, and easier to install. It can take many, many hours underway to make up the difference in initial cost, especially after the prop, shaft, bearing, etc are included for the inboard.

[Willallison]

Personally, I think this size is too small to have a separate pilothouse. The spaces are small enough withour dividing them up even further.
The advantage of a separate pilothouse (one that is truly separate) is that the helmsman can still operate at night whilst the rest of the crew can have the lights on elsewhere in the vessel. But the reality is that this would be very seldom - if ever - done on such a small craft with just 2 people onboard.
I also think that connection to the aft cocpkit is better on a single-space boat. Again - you don't have a great deal of space to play with, so anything that you can do to make it 'feel' bigger, the better.
It's a rare day that Tad doesn't haven't anything suitable for just about any wish list....
Also have you checked out Tom Lathrop's Blue Jacket series? The larger 28' boat might be suitable

[cthippo]

I ascribe to the theory that an important factor in designing the interior of a boat is the ability of the people on board to physically separate themselves from each other in order to prevent insanity and violence. :D

[ClayKorn]

Thanks everyone for replying.

Tad, the Mark V 28 looks very appealing to me. I plan on looking into this design further.

cthippo, I saw the Trailer Trawler 28 in my search. But, I made the assumption that the plans were not available because there wasn't a link on the site to puchase them and there was a production boat being built from the plans.

DCockey, I do like Devlin's plans. However, most of the plans that had the accomidatons that I would like were over the 8.5' max beam. But, I'll have to explore his site some more. I did read some of the discussion on the economical use of and outboard rather than an inboard and am leaning toward this. A question that sill remais for is the ability for the outboard motor the keep up with the electrical load requirements or if a generator would be needed?

Willallison, your comments make sense. I may have mis-stated my requiremtns. I was really looking for a sheltered helm station more that an totally enclosed pilot house.

Thanks again for the great responses. I am interested in learning more about how an outboard is set up to keep up with the electrical loads. I do like the idea of being able to eliminate the below water line thru hull fitting too with using an outboard. Also, are there concerns when using an outboard for extended times (months) without being able to flush salt water out of it's raw water cooling?

Clay

[BrianPearson]

The Mundoo cruisers from Duckflat look ideal for your needs. I particularly like the idea of the solar electric.

http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mainpages/mundoo.php

Beam is 7'8"

http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mundoo/pics/large/Mundoo3Nomad3starBowCruise.jpg

and this one just launched in Canada

http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/pics/whatsowners/large/ElectricMundooLaunch1.jpg
Brian

[ClayKorn]

Brian, the Mundoo Cruiser is a good looking boat. However, I would be concerned about the pounding of the flat bottom in any chop on the more open bays along the way.

Clay

[BrianPearson]

that's fair enough, I thought a tad more seaworthy might be needed.

the bottom is a Bolger type, how do users find such a shape behaves in waves

http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/mundoo/pics/large/ElectricHull.jpg

Selway Fisher have a large range of plans

http://www.selway-fisher.com/Rufus_22d1.gif

http://www.selway-fisher.com/Mc2130.htm

Brian

[cthippo]

cthippo, I saw the Trailer Trawler 28 in my search. But, I made the assumption that the plans were not available because there wasn't a link on the site to puchase them and there was a production boat being built from the plans.

Might just be a glitch in the site. You can contact Karl directly at kstamba103 {at} aol.com

[ClayKorn]

Might just be a glitch in the site. You can contact Karl directly at kstamba103 {at} aol.com

Received an email back today and Karl stated "No plans are available while North Pacific Yachts is building them, sorry." if anyone was interested.

Clay

[cthippo]

OK, good to know.