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From: Steve Frankel (no email)
Date: Tue Aug 01 2006 - 04:12:01 EDT
I think that Michael Cannon comes closest to 21st century truth in claiming
trawler status for his Portsmouth Downeach '30. I agree with him and might
even go a bit further in suggesting it's time to modernize our definition of
a 21st century trawler.
I'm not in the boating business, so I have nothing to prove. Among the
dozen 35'+ boats I've owned were a Krogan Manatee and a Marine Trader 36;
both of which were great boats and clearly fit the definition of trawler for
anyone who isn't willing to insist that all trawlers must be able to tow and
stow thousands of feet of nets and the fish they catch with them.
If you can do away with that fiction (it's like saying that only Model A
Fords are true cars), why not go for a functional definition of a modern
trawler, e.g.,
"1.A trawler is a strongly-built vessel that can carry at least 4 people,
and the supplies and possessions they need, to spend 1-2 weeks in comfort on
on coastal and blue water passages in the 500-1000 mile range. It can also
serve as a comfortable live-aboard for at least 2 persons indefinatily.l
2.On off-shore voyages, a trawler should be able to handle seas that are
frequently in the 4-6' range, and winds in the 20-30 knot range, .with a
high degree of safety, regardless of course and wind direction; and with
passengers and crew able to "enjoy" the experience in relative comfort. For
additional safety under such conditions, it must have at least an inside
steeering position; as well as possibly a topside one as well.
3. In relatively calm seas, a trawler should be able to achieve at least 2
miles per gallon while travelling at hull speed, and must handle well at
this "slow cruise speed." However it is also highly desirable for it to have
sufficient power and hull characteristics to permit it to "fast cruise" in
order to be able to run from storms at 2-3 times its hull speed without it
engine rpms exceeding more than 80% of their rated maximum.
Under this definition, both my Krogan and Marine Trader proved themselves
many times to meet this minimum definition of a modern trawler; but neither
was able to run from a storm; and getting caught in a bad storm off Catalina
Island in the Krogan meant 6-8 hours of unpleasant wallowing through troughs
and rolling through a 60 degree arc; although even with the wind directly
behind.it tracked beautifully.
However, the best "trawler" I've owned -- by far -- is the 40' Albin North
Sea Cutter I presently own. This violates the traditional trawler ethic
since it's build on a deep-vee hull that's nearly indentical to a hull
Raymond Hunt designed for Albin about 15 years ago; and by the fact that
it's powered by 2 370hp diesel Yanmars. Not only is this boat roomy enough
to perfmit me to stay on it indefinatley, while providing me with spacious
office space as well, but it's also built like a beast and seems to be able
anything the coastal waters off Southern California can throw at it;
including those 4-5' seas and 20-30 mph winds.
I usually cruise it at 1500 rpm which yields 11 mph and 2.1 miles per
gallon. It handles beautifully at this speed until swells go much over 3
feet. At that pointyou bring it to 2500 rpm (75% power) where the handling
in rough seas becomes rock steady; the speed increases to about 17 mph, but
the mileage drops to about .8 miles per gallon. This can bring us back from
Catalina in less than 3 hours. In true emergencies, going to 90% power
(3000 rpm) will bring the speed up to 22 mph, make the handling a bit
rougher, and reduce fuel consumption to .73 miles per gallon. And, since it
carries 400 gallons of fuel, it range is over 700 miles at slow cruise and
about 300 miles at fast cruise.
All other things being equal, I think that vessels like my Albin, the
Sabreliners and the newer Grand Banks truly define what 21st century
trawlering is all about for most people. Again, unless you have a mile of
nets to tow and several tons of fish to stow; or unless you're bound for
Hawaii or the Azores in the near future and don't fine rolling through a 90
degree arc much of the time, the round trawler hull of the traditional
trawler makes as little sense as the fish nets. To prove it, have your wife
and kids return from a weekend trip on one of the new "fast trawlers" while
go back on yours. You'll be hearing about the experience for weeks!
Dr. Steven Frankel
8214 West 83 Street
Playa del Rey, CA 90293
(310) 430-1742
Home (310) 827-9665 - Fax (310) 827-6812
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