GL: Appropriate trawler for Caribbean cruising

[Marty Campanella]

In discussing an appropriate trawler for Caribbean cruising it was mentioned
that 8 kts was rather slow.  

Actually, from our experience 8kts is fast by Caribbean standards.  Boats
over 65' are an exception.  

The boats with the older high powered twin engines throttle down, the rest
of us run at fairly low rpms.  We have met a couple of boats that have
actually repowered to burn more efficiently at lower speeds.  

Can't tell why the speeds are slower here than back in the US and Canada,
may have something to do with the preponderance of sailboats among the
cruisers, or it just maybe the more economical lifestyle of the mostly
retired cruisers.

Anyway, would not cross off an 8kt boat.  You will see a lot of Nordhavens,
Krogens, DeFevers and Williards, all doing 6 to 7 kts day in and day out.

Marty Campanella
Bay Pelican KK42