What is a Trawler!? Allow me to explain...trawls, trolls, and displacement hulls!

Welcome aboard my "Trawler" for a Tech Talk with Captain Butch. I discuss the origination of the term Trawler, and what justifies calling a certain type of boat a trawler. This has always been a commonly debated topic among the cruising community who has a particular affinity for "Trawler Style" vessels and the "Trawler Lifestyle" as a whole. I give you my take and opinion on the matter, which is quite timely because I was recently invited to join the infamous Jeff Merrill and Mark Pittman Jr. of JMYS Trawler Specialists to be part of one of their signature Cruising Conversations episodes down in Stuart, FL at Trawlerfest for the @JeffMerrillYachts Youtube Channel. That video will be live on May 6, 2023, so be sure to check it out and subscribe to the JMYS YT Channel if you haven't already done so.

Link to the JMYS Cruising Conversations YouTube Video with Jeff Merrill and Mark Pittman Jr.:

JMYS Trawler Specialists:
Instagram: @jmystrawlers

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[guachingman]

Thank you for your explabation, i like your house boat, keep it up :D

[lips]

Dear old George Buehler made the distinction between a troller yacht and a trawler yacht based on the way the originators fished. The troller yacht towing a long line was necessarily very lean and took little power to move through the water at displacement hull speed. By contrast the trawler yacht has to tow a large net, so the boat has a surfeit of power to overcome the drag of the net, so the trawler becomes more beamy to accommodate the engines and stored fish and has sufficient power to move faster than hull speed and push the boat through the water.

George designed the diesel duck and was at pains to note it was based on a troller boat, which is why they are so lean and have such small engines by comparison.

[williamwebberjr]

Great video - thank you for the education.

[johnbuschman]

Good video, love watching your projects. Looking forward to the Keys. Bye for now

[cousinjack]

The earliest trawlers were undoubtedly inshore trawlers and being pre all the mod cons, would return to harbour on a daily basis to unload, this practice is ongoing. I remember reading years ago about light trawls, (probably developed from seine netting) that were used back in history and were pulled behind rowing or sailing boats in shallow water fishing for plaice and flounders, so the point that a trawler has to be long voyage capable etc etc doesn't really hold water. I really don't care what a person likes to call their boat, that's up to them but, as with the boats that I spent years working on, when we were trawling, we were a trawler, when we were long lining, we were a long liner etc. For me, a trawler is a boat that is engaged in or rigged for trawling and has nothing to do with the hull design, capabilities etc. Nice programme; thanks.

[dougfaulkner]

Very interesting subject for sure. Ive been looking at so many trawlers lately that can become mind numbing lol. Great take on a great type of vessel.

[MeltingFire]

Butch,

Love your youtube content. Very meat and potatoes kind of information.

I would very much enjoy a video, or series of videos, of general trip planning, navigation, channel and marine markers and navigation aids, radio procedures, bridge calling, marina hailing, ICW and Caribbean cruising, Etc. Also, general electronic navigation equipment and the broad spectrum of systems on the modern electronic navigation systems. Just some suggestions for some content that I would be interested in.
Thanks, and keep floating!!

Jim

[RobSwan-jo]

Enjoying your posts. After all you have our unti your boat, would you describe your boat as Bristol? Where would you put it in a scale of 1-10 with 10 Bristol? After all of your significant additions and attention how much do you think your defer is worth? I am asking to get a benchmark on fair value. Also how has your gel coat held up? 80k+ for full repaint. Seems hard to even get close to break even after that eventual spend. Thanks

[donholden]

As a kid the family had a Dyer 29, been a fan of displacement hulls ever since

[OrlandoPla]

I lived some time in a classical wooden Grand Banks 42 and I find your engine space so much bigger!

[atlanty]

Thanks for the videos.... I have a question, I have a 1985 PT Trawler and I need to replace the RPM, Oil Pressure and temperature gauges.... cant seem to find them. Any suggestions? I would appreciate it.

[nomaddict]

Thanks for this video! I like how you’re straight to the point in all your videos and tell it like it is. We’re new to boats in general and we like the idea of a trawler, so your content is spot on for us. Appreciate it!

[carpediemwithLesli]

I got my Trawler! 2002 Mainship and i can't wait to bring her up from the Chesapeake Bay to the Hudson River, NY!

[bobcochran]

So, what might one consider when deciding whether or not speed is an issue if you aren’t in a hurry.? I can see beating the weather/tides/sunlight and emergencies but what other reasons make speed a benefit?

[GordJones-jq]

Hi. Enjoyed your video but a small correction coming from someone who’s ancestors have fished off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada for generations…..
Your description of a trawler is actually a dragger. A trawl is a long line with baited hooks that either float at the surface or near the bottom. A trawler is a boat of similar description as you describe but generally has a enclosure on the aft deck and the trawl is set from the stern and retrieved on the stbd side. A dragger generally has an open aft deck.

[thenena]

Thank you kindly for the information, I was actually research that.
I do not own a boat yet, It is my goal to do so to live aboard and travel
At this time, I'm learning about the different vessels and which would be best for me as a single woman with no experience in boating.
Love sailboats but would very much appreciate thoughts on what would be best.

Best regards

[tomhenry]

Great video. Love the biology nomenclature reference!

[barelyafloatwithsteve]

You mentioned in a video that you had a Californian 48' CPMY. What is your opinion? It's on my short list, along with the Gulfstar 44' or 49' and the Chris Craft Constellation 500-501 as a first boat to live on full-time. I'd Appreciate any information as I'm always trying to learn.
Have a Great Day and Stay Safe ‼️🙂

[jamesziegenbalg]

I think this guy just accidentally sold me a grand banks.

[Sirena_Edonismo]

Hi Butch,
Looking forward to seeing your content with Jeff. He’s an awesome guy. I actually took one of his Boater University Courses on line. Very knowledgeable guy. Maybe for your next video you could answer the question I get all the time, What makes a boat a yacht?
In my case it’s any boat that you spend more money than you have on. So mine is definitely a yacht. 😂😂😂
Stop by sometime and say hello.