T&T: T&T Seaworthy Trawlers

[Bob Austin]

What do you mean by "seaworthy"?  Coastal cruising when maybe 8 to 10 foot
seas and up to 40 knots are expected?  or full blown storm conditions?

Without getting far in depth into this subject--most coastal cruisers are just
that--and that is what a Defever 44 is.  I know of some who have gone from
Florida to the Caribbean and from Calif. to Florida (thru the Canal).  But
these type of boats are not seaworthy when you consider 40 foot seas and 70
knots of wind at any point.  The truely seaworthy boats are indeed like the
Colin Archers--for the most part double enders, ballasted significantly and
basically water tight, with small pilot houses, built of steel etc.  I have
been in conditions on Atlantic Crossings when very few of the "trawlers"
typical of this list, would have survived.  Also look at the pictures from the
NAR, in moderate conditions when one of the Nordhavn's was rolling without the
stabalizers!

A Gulf shrimper is OK in the average conditions in the Gulf--but not in a
hurricane. When there is a full blown Norther, these shrimpers scurry back
into port if at all possiable.   The Purse seiners are a similar hull form,
yet there are some lost on a fairly regular basis, when the nets and pull boat
are on deck, and there is nothing in the hold.  I saw one which went down in
moderate conditions, because she rolled on over.

I agree, not many of the "Trawlers" are "seaworthy"--But very suitable for
near coastal crusing.

Bob Austin