Buyers Guide 18-20m Trawlers

The next production boat evolution was the change from full displacement like the Nordhavn, or Selene, which are recognised long-range ocean-going craft, into the semi-displacement hard chine hull form. Grand Banks was a pioneer and retains much of its reputation from its early craft. Fleming fine-tuned the styling with a beautiful sheer and forward wheelhouse profile on its renowned 55. In reality, most manufacturers, until recent times, have followed and developed that base styling.

Ask most mature (aged) male launch masters to describe a trawler, and typically you will hear ‘nuggetty, long-range, ocean-going, sunken walk-around decks (often covered), 8-10 knots cruiser’. Ask their partner, and you will probably just hear ‘covered walk-around decks’! 

Ask the more modern boatie and walk-around decks, 10 knot displacement speed or 15 knot cruise on the plane, and 20+ knots top end is the expectation. The need for speed means reductions in weight and draft are needed, and the easiest way to do this is less fuel and water capacity, and more horsepower (KW). Consequently, the first thing that drops off the cliff is range. If you are buying intending to take your new 18-20m trawler offshore or long-range coastal cruising, you will find that most of these crafts only carry 2500-4000 litres of fuel, which at 8-10 knots cruise will give between 700 and 1000nm range. Always plan on having @ 20% fuel reserve for those unforeseen moments. Fleming promotes their new 58 as carrying 5500 litres, giving a range of 1500nm at 10 knots. With 20% reserve, this is @ 1200nm range in standard trim, just enough to get you from Auckland to Fiji or Tonga, Hobart from Brisbane or 2/3rds of the way from Brisbane to Darwin.

 It seems for the modern trawler style boat owner, the range is not so important now. Of the contemporary style craft marketed as trawlers, the Azimut Magellano 66 carries 4500 litres with a stated range of @ 900nm at 9 knots. That boat is also capable of cruising at 18 knots. The Absolute Navetta 64 has only 2400 litres capacity and a range of 430nm at 10 knots. 240nm range at 18 knots is quoted for the top-end cruise.

In reality, few of these crafts will ever venture offshore or make extended coastal voyages, and bladder tanks are relatively easy to carry on those rare occasions. With today’s slightly more accurate weather forecasting, and higher cruise speeds, most trawler skippers can pick a window to minimise risk and discomfort, should they actually make a voyage.

The bulk of their cruising will be short coastal and island hopping trips, and the ability to get to a destination in a timely manner when needed, and forget the fuel costs has much merit. Walk around decks are no use to anybody when bouncing along at 15 knots, and the associated spray this hull form typically creates when on the plane can dampen the experience. Idling along at 9-10 knots however, and these same decks become a comfortable footpath for dog, cat and crew alike. The libation to the sea gods one carries does not spill or fill with sea spray as you meander forward to look at the happy dolphins riding your pressure wave. That’s when a trawler is at its’ best.