My prefect Trawler

[Bigpapaporsche]

I think I have finally settled on what features I want on a "Small Trawler" I would like to buy. I am thinking, 1st it must be Trailerable, 2nd probably 23-28 feet long, hopefully 28ft, 3rd.No Flybridge and looking like a Nordic Tug, 4th. prefer an inboard Yanmar Diesel, I've had two already. I will how consider an Outboard 5th. Must have, or at least one can be added, Generator/Air Cond/Bow Truster/Rear Covered Cockpit with Canvas. Models I looking at, North Pacific 28, only five in the USA, Nordic Tug 26, Cape Dory 28, Ranger Tug 23 & 25. Will consider a Fixer Upper.

 

[venajeff]

Keep in mind the beam of the vessel. Anything over 8'6" requires a wide load permit. If you only plan on trailering in a single or few states then getting annual wide load permits is not a huge deal, but if you are thinking of any multi state towing then it can become an ordeal. It is not insurmountable but definitely something to consider.

 

[Bob&Jilly]

I think I have finally settled on what features I want on a "Small Trawler" I would like to buy. I am thinking, 1st it must be Trailerable, 2nd probably 23-28 feet long, hopefully 28ft, 3rd.No Flybridge and looking like a Nordic Tug, 4th. prefer an inboard Yanmar Diesel, I've had two already. I will how consider an Outboard 5th. Must have, or at least one can be added, Generator/Air Cond/Bow Truster/Rear Covered Cockpit with Canvas. Models I looking at, North Pacific 28, only five in the USA, Nordic Tug 26, Cape Dory 28, Ranger Tug 23 & 25. Will consider a Fixer Upper.

Have you considered the R27 Ranger Tug? Now in our second season with a 2018 model outboard, no regrets at all. It is easily trailiable can run at 8 knots if we want to and if the weather change we can run at 30. We go out for a week or more at a time and have never had
a space issue for the two of us, that is probably true for the 25 as well.. Perhpas there is no such thing as the perfect boat, one reason we have three, one for the lakes, one for offshore fishing and our favorite , the tug--good luck! Had to sell that sail boat -I am too darn old for it which was my favorite.

 

[Bigpapaporsche]

Keep in mind the beam of the vessel. Anything over 8'6" requires a wide load permit. If you only plan on trailering in a single or few states then getting annual wide load permits is not a huge deal, but if you are thinking of any multi state towing then it can become an ordeal. It is not insurmountable but definitely something to consider.

Thanks for the comment, I am aware of this requirement, but have never had to use it.

 

[Bigpapaporsche]

Have you considered the R27 Ranger Tug? Now in our second season with a 2018 model outboard, no regrets at all. It is easily trailiable can run at 8 knots if we want to and if the weather change we can run at 30. We go out for a week or more at a time and have never had
a space issue for the two of us, that is probably true for the 25 as well.. Perhpas there is no such thing as the perfect boat, one reason we have three, one for the lakes, one for offshore fishing and our favorite , the tug--good luck! Had to sell that sail boat -I am too darn old for it which was my favorite.

I am aware of the R27, but they can get a little pricy. Also, I've read about some Hull Fiberglass Lamination Quality Issues on some Rangers. A friend of mine bought a 2025 R23 new last year and is experiencing this problem on his boat. He tells me that Ranger Tug is giving him the Run Around!

 

[A&Etug]

We went to trawler school with a Nordic tug and chartered one and really were interested but after us investigating further and doing research we found a Cutwater 30 LE S in Wisconsin and after being sailors for 30+ years we now have bit the bullet!
We are very pleased with the boat and support we have received, not being around power, we have a steep learning curve but we are navigating that.
We are on the Great Lakes, bought her in October, had her transported to indoor heated storage for the winter and just last week put her in the water, filled the diesel tank and have taken her out with some friends aboard!
We probably won't trail her anywhere but comfort ,build and design/layout make her what we want. My wife does all the foredeck , sorry terminology, bow work and is very comfortable with walking the decks etc.
Size depends on use, family, destinations etc.
Our boat needed work done and still does, minor items but we feel we bought her at the right price and we had a good broker, Larry Busse from Weber Yachts who still takes our calls was a good broker and we would use him again.
We have learned alot from this group, channel surfing on youtube and reading.
Good Luck on your search!

 

[gswearin]

Not trying to be an a** but sounds like you’ve decided against a Ranger. Legitimately curious why you are posting here? Are you asking if the group has had lamination issues? That’s a fair question as is our experience with ranger service.