cruising the caribbean on a trawler

Many couples sailing and living a-board in the Caribbean … What we find our clients greatly appreciate is the trawler’s expansive cabin space even on the smaller models and some can offer aft cabins in the rear and some manufacturers pulled all stops out and in their larger models have been known to add multiple deck levels to these ever evolving sweet ‘floating packages’. As we get closer to retirement are considering a swap to a diesel trawler in the 36 - 45 ft range and were thinking of cruising down the eastern seaboard of Canada/USA and on to Cuba, … Go Ahead: Make a Plan. Beneteau designed the Swift Trawler for mid-range cruising. After all, there are fruit stands to visit and fresh fish to buy for lunch. Each night, I ordered a lightly charred fish with a squeeze of lime and at least one ice-cold, perfect margarita. 122' Whangarei Engineering Fitzroy Yachts NZ 1979, 88' Torpoint Steel Boats Motor Yacht 1985, 79' Custom Converted Royal Navy Fleet Tender 1972. You’ll appreciate how little fuel she’ll consume and that excellent range we continue to remind you of too. Mexico’s Isla Mujeres, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen were sleepier then than they are now, and I had never seen water so turquoise, strolled sand so soft, or quaffed beer so deliciously cold. And don’t be fearful you’ll have to give up the low fuel bills, as even the fast trawlers typically offer superior fuel economy than many different powerboat styles. Extensive and well developed fringe reefs encircle most of the islands throughout the Caribbean. But, with all the comforts of home aboard and the security of a good engine, the Caribbean is a wonderland for adventurous trawler owners. I found Trinidad fascinating. There is one spacious head with … I know almost no one, for instance, who planned to spend as much time in the natural paradise of Dominica as they did. Good friends, good food, good wine-and a large cockpit, the ingredients for a great time aboard Mary Kathryn, a Hatteras 58 LRC anchored in Leeds Creek across the Miles River from St Michaels, Maryland. Cruising the eastern Caribbean is much more expensive that our cruise of the western Caribbean. So get your calendar out and block off a stretch of time, as the trawler embraces trips like those! Invite your family and friends as the trawler yachts offer long-term living accommodations - perfect for desiring an ‘at anchor’ remote boat getaway. What a welcome surprise that is for a change. The second cabin offers an additional single berth. If you’re more of a tropical breeze cruiser, then by all means, get her ready to cruise south for the winter to extend the warm months aboard. Diving and snorkeling are fantastic here, too, so even if Dominica isn’t on your original route, stopping for a look may mean staying for a while. In our Caribbean cruising, however, we often find ourselves hanging out with what one friend affectionately refers to as “trawler trash.” Many of these people started out as sailors and can … It reduces the wear and tear on guests and crew, makes it easier to provision, and eases the timing of passages for the best weather windows. One option would be to cruise only near your home port and to employ a mechanic to keep your boat in tip-top shape. And if you have a good imagination (as I do), it’s almost like a bonus, virtual pretrip. BAHAMAS CRUISE - April 2000. Often though, many … Kim, her husband, son, and dachshund have been living aboard their 40' DeFever Passagemaker trawler … Decided you’re ready for a boat, or have one but feel a shift in your style and aren’t ready to dig too deep into your pockets for one but would like a more economical choice to escape the frenzy in? The yacht was magnificent and the company was stellar, but the real fun of it was not being in the epicenter of the St. Barths holiday madness. In Trinidad, I fell in love with the rich culture of Carnival: The highlight for me was Panorama, a multiday competition among steelpan orchestras that was sensationally exciting. Photo by Robert Calhoun Smith Jr. Al and Jane Castleman of Fine Romance. Most of all, though, if you’re doing it the right way, you will have been seduced by at least a half dozen enchanting detours and will definitely need more fuel. Dazzled by the variety of places to explore in this island chain, and lulled by the steady breeze that seemed perfectly calibrated to temper the blazing sunshine, I saw immediately why so many sailors fall madly in love with the BVI. Finding yourself slowing things down in your world due to the crazy rush of information and speed all around us? Yes, ‘trawler’ is a classic, non-Euro ‘look’. The full displacement production Krogens and Nordhavns and many custom designs add to the mix of mostly semi-displacement hull shapes, and continue to cruise … Soon, I learned that this was only one version of the many heavens the Caribbean has to offer. I’ve always found that planning a trip doesn’t just prepare you; it adds to the anticipation. John is the 2012 & 2013's Best Selling author in the nautical markets, and now you get the best and most complete Caribbean cruising information on what to expect and how to cruise the Bahamas and Caribbean… This lends itself to a specific so called, ‘trawler lifestyle’ which translates to a sailor’s cruising lifestyle with the power of a motorboat.Those who appreciate their boat to have excellent sea keeping skills coupled with the range to take you to far - off hideaways, are in for a real treat when setting out on a trawler. And, if you’re riding a solid, full-displacement hull with a single engine, a range of 2,000-plus nautical miles is common. Douglas Pohl, custom 55-foot steel trawler On the Great Loop The good: The Great Loop is a wonderful “socializing” cruiser’s route — with no worries about exotic destinations where cruising is … The Mainship 390 Trawler based in St Thomas, the Caribbean ideally sleeps 4 guest in two spacious double cabins. We hope you’ve come to see that there are numerous reasons many of our clients love trawlers of all sizes because you don’t always need a yacht-sized vessel to make your dreams of venturing to remote ports in comfort and efficiency a reality without exhausting the retirement savings account. It was the first of my many trips to the British Virgin Islands that made me realize there was one perfect way to experience all of these Caribbean paradises—no choices required. Slow and steady, you’ll be pleased to see the fuel bill is allowing you extra funds for elaborate dinners out or that new tender you’ve been eyeing. In order to help you determine the right type and size of boat you need to figure out what type of cruising you want to do, how much you can afford to spend and where you want to do your cruising. Don’t be surprised if that block of time turns into calling your realtor to put your house on the rental market as you’ve decided to set out aboard your sweet ride on the water for months on end or even decided to drop the home and move aboard! Please meet the well-known boat type - a trawler - which is simply a price conscious motorboat with a full-displacement, ballasted hull that possesses just that perfect cruising range for those long-ocean passages you’ll be heading out on to decompress from the never ending present day chaos. I liked the mix of local and European residents, the lush scenery of the mountainous island that’s necklaced by stunning beaches, the soft breezes filled with the scent of Flamboyants, and the view to Montserrat in one direction and St. Kitts in the other. Most of all, though, the Caribbean relaxes a person like nowhere else. Below are some of the well-known trawler yacht brands in the industry: As Ferrari is to sexy race cars, trawlers are to functional ‘workboat-look’ recreational boats. These ‘small packages with a punch’ will carry, launch, and retrieve your tender too - thanks to her efficient crane. From traditional music to classic cuisine, every island has a story to tell. The food, with its mixture of African, Syrian, Indian and Chinese influences, was delicious, and the people were beautiful and friendly. Modern-day Caribbean islands draw on a wide range of influences—something that few other destinations can rival—so you may want to consider spending some time soaking in the local culture and history of the islands. Each day, I baked on the beach, cooled off in the sea and read a whole book. Why should long-distance cruising be any less as it’s equally important getting to your dream destination. Getting to Nevis from the United States was a long and expensive trek, though, and I reluctantly let that particular dream go. Safety at St. Lucia marinas was rated at 9.5 (and falling), while safety at anchor scored a 7, which is pretty bad for an island that bills itself as the honeymoon capital of the Caribbean. Cruising the Caribbean unlike the Great Loop, has some amazingly surprising and unexpected expenses. Cruising on your yacht for days, weeks, or even months on board can present a variety of challenges, but is one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences in boating. Cruising from Hollywood beach to Boca Chita Key, then on to Key Largo, and next to Islamorada definitely sharpened my piloting skills. This was heaven—I was sure of it. And maybe afterward, a nap. That’s never a bad idea: It educates you on what feels most important to see, how much time you’ll need for passages between islands, where you might put in to refuel or reprovision. I was in my late 20s, working in book publishing and broker than broke, when I first dove into the Caribbean. Oil reserves have driven the economy for many years, and it was refreshing to experience a Caribbean culture that’s not dependent on tourism. That means you could fuel up in Miami and ride out hurricane season in the safety of Trinidad’s hurricane hole, Chaguaramas, on full tanks. If you've ever dreamed of cruising the Bahamas and Caribbean, this webinar is for you. They cruise in a 36-foot Albine Express trawler … Vicki lives in Annapolis, MD, where she and partner, Barry Miller, cruise the Chesapeake and the Intercoastal Waterway to the Bahamas or Florida. Then we’ll dinghy down to De Reef for a rum punch and a swim. (Click to visit Hebson's website freecruisingguides.com, which gets its name from the fact that, besides the CSI, it also offers free cruising guides to regions of the Caribbean.). You can choose from a more basic trawler or go all out with designing one that rivals a luxury yacht with all it’s out of this world comforts. If you want the speedier versions, there are a few builders who can accommodate you in making that dream come true on your trawler too. Listing some of the trawlers other features, such as anchor accommodations, reverse windows, a pilot house, and walk around decks for line handling and docking, you’ll find this type of boat is well equipped for leisure and fun! Maybe sailors can get tired of sailing, sometimes, and … Your search for a super trawler is doable as you’ll find many to be ocean-crossing water babies. In the May 2011 issue of International Living Magazine, Gary reveals what it’s like to cruise the Caribbean … By that definition, if you plan on cooking, showering and sleeping aboard a Sabre, MJM, Eastbay or similar vessel for three days at a time and you are able to do that comfortably, that vessel is just as much a trawler as a Kadey-Krogen cruising the Caribbean … Behind the numbers To give you an idea of what boat repairs we encountered, the depth … The journey up and back on the intracoastal waterway has been traveled by many with the same idea to keep that summer warmth going! By all means, make a plan. It’s the small lagoon in the big sea, and there’s plenty to like about that if you’re short on time or reluctant to make longer passages. Some, I’ve visited several times, and more often than not, aboard a boat. Of course, this is theoretical, for several reasons: You’d want the “plus” to cover your 10 percent reserve, and much depends on your cruising speed. If you’re the type of boater who craves a Great Loop experience or to travel long and slow along the coasts, then a trawler makes sense. When examining the options for cruising boats, it’s really not simply a question of one hull or two, the power vs. sail argument needs to be addressed as well. Cruising trawler. The Swift Trawler 47 Is Built For Mid-Range Cruising With Excellent Fuel Consumption — perfect for a weekend voyage. WOW! Captain Bob’s teaching skills on the chart plotter, navigating along with Irene, gave her a tremendous boost in which we ended up bonding together like a real experienced cruising … When James and Jennifer Hamilton bought their Nordhavn 52 Dirona in 2010, their initial plan was to cruise north from… Below are some of the well-known trawler yacht brands in the industry. I’ll admit that power boats, trawlers … They have taken up the cruising … https://www.passagemaker.com/destinations/the-caribbean-seduction Built for voyages such as these, the builders have kept the size of the engine areas to a minimal and chose displacement hulls to aid in cutting through the seas instead of sucking up tons of power. © 2021 Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc., an Active Interest Media company. Another would be to learn to maintain and repair your boat so that you can … The Virgin Islands have long been a popular choice for cruising sailors looking for a season of trade wind breezes, tropical sunsets, fruity drinks and stunning scenery. And line-of-sight navigation: What’s more enticing than being able to see the next adventure beckoning on the horizon? Many of these reefs can be found in shallow water, thus providing great opportunities for snorkeling and diving. At least 45+'1 with a lot of fuel tanks as there not many Marinas> A trawler is good but slow>Seem some when cruising> Made that trip> After leaving George town Bahamas there is no fuel … The Windward Islands in the southern Caribbean part of the chain start in Martinique and end in Trinidad off the coast of Venezuela, and includes the popular cruising grounds of the Grenadines and the … Owning a trawler with the ability to run long distances brings out your inner explorer, quenching your desire to discover places you've never seen while also feeding it. What’s the hurry? you will think as you stroll the main street of Port Elizabeth on sleepy Bequia and turn to see your boat happily napping at its mooring. Français I almost bought a house on Nevis. If you like fine beachfront dining, cold and dry rosé, luxury boutique shopping and rubbing elbows with a who’s who of New York, then you’ll love St. Barts. Good fuel used to be a concern, but marine infrastructure and amenities have improved markedly in the past decade (despite the setbacks of Hurricane Irma and others). Let’s stay a while…. Los Haitises national Park, Cancun Lagoon, Santiago de Cuba, Fisherman's Island - the Caribbean! Capt. We don’t see why you couldn’t if your spirit has been calling you out to a sea salt life as there’ll be no compromise in comfort with the trawler’s private staterooms for nights dreaming above the ocean, full galleys to prepare scrumptious fresh-caught fish dinners, and roomy galleys to gather in and share island stories. What got me thinking about the Bahamas was a presentation that Susan and I recently gave to the MTOA (Marine Trawler … People brought (and shared) picnics and stayed all day to cheer on their favorite bands. More than one friend has stopped to check out the place for a day and stayed a week, raving about its unexpected beauty. Island hopping is part of the great allure of the Caribbean, and jumping from landfall to landfall makes for pleasant cruising. Trawler versus sail—a comparison that is often dismissed as an old-person versus young-person, apples-to-oranges argument. The Trawler bug is a wonderful affliction and a great escape from being a dirt dweller. Schedules here are merely suggestions and will be hijacked by everything from weather to new friendships to a favorite rum shack. The open secret to cruising the Caribbean joyously is this: Be flexible and avoid straight lines. Kim is a professional graphic designer and web designer who resides in sunny Southwest Florida. Now Try Sticking to It. The following was inspired by a recent question from one of our readers. 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