GL: Appropriate trawler for Caribbean cruising

[Wade Ehlen]

Ahoy Al:

   I've read and heard many times that many ocean-going commercial vessels, fishing boats etc. have only one diesel engine and they do quite nicely.  Most diesel engine problems, if oil and filter changes are done on schedule, are caused by bad fuel (dirt, water,...).  If the fuel is bad and you have a twin engine set-up, the bad fuel goes to both engines, negating the "safety" of having a second engine.
  Let us know what you end up with.

Wade Ehlen
Albin 36 Miss Happ (single diesel)
New Bern NC, docked in Tavernier FL


--- On Fri, 2/20/09, Al Rodriguez <alrod333 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> From: Al Rodriguez <alrod333 at yahoo.com>
> Subject: GL: Appropriate trawler for Caribbean cruesing
> To: great-loop at lists.samurai.com
> Date: Friday, February 20, 2009, 10:37 AM
> Looking at different used trawlers for island hopping in the
> Caribbean down to Venezuela.  Have checked out the Alvin
> 32/35, Mirage Great Harbor 37 and Ricker 42 Performance
> Trawler. These differ by speed, interior room, windage, etc.
> 
> Some features I consider important are as follows:
> 
> - Low draft for ability to gunkhole in shallow coves and
> islands
> - Fuel economy - prefer diesel
> - Would like walk around deck
> - Strong hull and prop protection to deal with shallow
> areas and other dragons that may lurk beneath
> - Able to deal with reasonably inclement weather
> - Bow thrust
> 
> I would not live aboard full time but rather would use it
> for few months or weeks, at a time.
> 
> I like the Alvin 32 and 35 for its sturdiness, but only
> comes with one engine, which I find somewhat risky.  The
> Ricker 42 Performance Trawler design looks good, has twin
> diesels and low draft, but can't find any performance
> reviews on it.  The GH37 is very roomy, but windage is high
> and max speed is 8 knots.  Need to outrun weather and Gulf
> current, as well as keep up with other trawlers when going
> in a group.  
> 
> Anyone owns or has owned any of these trawlers that can
> offer some input.  I posed the same question in the
> Passagemaking blog, but recedid not receive much of a
> response,as these folks are more focused on bigger, ocean
> going trawlers. 
> 
> Please advise your recomendations and/or comments.
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Al Rodriguez
> Panga 22lx
> Fort Lauderdale
> _______________________________________________
> http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop
> 
> To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change
> email address,
> unsubscribe, etc.) go to:
> http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/options/great-loop