Trawlers are good well-defined powerboats and a symbol of seaworthy vessels that have survived the cold hazardous waters from far North in places like Newfoundland to Alaska to far South ports. They have the capabilities and sturdy features to survive the cold of the Arctic, North Sea, and Southern Sea every single day. They are basically fishing boats commercially used and designed to operate fishing trawls. The trawls or fishing nets are attached to the vessel and pulled along in midwater or deep sea at a specific depth, as they move.
Trawlers are expensive because boats, in general, are expensive vehicles. The price of a trawler is driven primarily by the materials, labor, and capital required to build one. Much of the difference in price between trawlers is driven by the brand and amenities offered by each one.
Apart from being commercial fishing vessels since their origin, nowadays trawlers are also designed for long-distance cruising or even living on the sea for a long period of time. Many people spend extended vacations and move from one port to another spending months on the trawler. And you need to search high and low to get the best deal out of it as you are going to spend months with it on the sea. Anyone who had given a thought to buying one trawler must have experienced that adrenaline surge when they noticed the price tag.
There is no escaping the fact that trawlers are expensive, and many factors influence the cost, whether you buy it or you talk about maintenance. From the tangible factors that are used in the making of a trawler starting from the material used to labor cost, the research that goes into it to meeting EPA regulations, maintaining dealer network and shipping cost, to fuel charges and insurance cost, to the non-tangible luxury, everything is added to the trawler’s price tag or it being so expensive. But is the cost justified? Is it value for money at all?
Let’s delve into the points one by one to answer our query about why trawlers are so expensive.
ARE TRAWLERS GOOD BOATS?
If you want to set out for an extraordinarily unforgettable boating adventure, then do not look further ahead and settle for recreational trawlers which act as the perfect family boat that can match up closely with a yacht without the heavy price tags.. These boating vessels have a large fuel holding capacity and thus are designed for long-distance cruising and overnight vacations. Because of its livability and practicality, these are the top choices for people who want spacious accommodation as well as versatility in its performance.
They usually have wide beams and displacement hulls with twin or single engines. Usually stout and fitted with powerful engines, a skeg, and a displacement hull designed to position smoothly on water, they are meticulously maintained and well equipped. Below the deck, there is an engine room, a room for the pilot for easy maneuvering, a galley, and room for accommodating the crew.
It is also the best choice for fishing as it is accurately designed for fishing in the deep seas. Most of the trawlers have attached fishing machines like trawl winches and net rollers. By the technique called “trawling”, these boats tow the fishing net and glide through the water to herd and capture fish.
So, if the purpose of buying the trawler is solely for fishing, then luxury can take a backseat and the focus should be more on the fishing facilities embedded on the boat. But if you want to buy for recreational purposes, the interior set-up should be spacious offering plenty of comfort and convenient amenities that make you feel pleasantly at home, but on the water.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A TRAWLER?
The first look might be deceptive but this robust-looking boat comes with many advantages.
- For fishing trawlers, the biggest advantage is , it can discard non-target bycatch species because of its fishing devices thus putting the fish at low risk.
- If we talk about the advantages of recreational trawlers , it’s plenty. Its main feature is, it has a wider hull which means a more spacious interior, bigger kitchen, more airy sleeping rooms and additional places to arrange your luggage , gears and gadgets. Wider side-decks provide easy accessibility to move around without bumping into each other.
- Accessibility in and out of the boat is quite easy for trawlers.
- Even headroom below the deck and lots of space on the deck makes it a perfect boat without any hindrance to movement.
- It’s an ideal cruising boat as it can be easily manoeuvred, even any family member can handle it efficiently. Unlike sailboats, the risks are less of climbing the mast or securing the sail, etc.
- The structure of the displacement hull is made such that it gives perfect stability to the trawler even during difficult conditions. Though this kind of hull structure does not allow the trawler to increase speed beyond 10 knots, the safety and regularity that comes with it is incomparable. You will feel pleasantly at home on the water.
- Trawlers are designed to have huge storage fuel tanks and with additional solar panels and wind power systems in many, trawlers can travel any distance and reach varied shores for you to catch up with some memorable moments. Its limit is endless so are your possibilities to explore different lands. You don’t have to stop at shores now and then for refueling.
HOW MUCH DOES A TRAWLER BOAT COST?
The wide features that we get in trawler boats are incomparable and hence its price, though on the higher side, is quite justified. It is seaworthy enough to travel long-distance land. The solar-paneled installed trawlers are pricier but it comes with its own added advantage if you want to set sail to explore lands for a long time.
On average, a fully equipped trawler (fishing or recreational) can cost anywhere between 24,000$ to 8,400,000$ and even more depending on the make and model. Yes, it’s huge but a one-time investment. The fishing trawlers cost less than the recreational ones whose price increases based on their interior decors and safety measures. Additional expenses will add up to it like fuel price, insurance coverage, and maintenance costs.
You have to be clear on your expectations and then choose according to your needs, without compromising on your freedom and safety.
IS A TRAWLER SEAWORTHY?
The wide range of physical conditions of a trawler plays a major role to determine whether its seaworthy or not which includes its stability, capability to handle rough choppy waters with ease, ability to shed water quickly, its buoyancy even when it is carrying a heavy load, speed and agility which in case of trawlers are considerably good, and sufficient safety equipment provisions for tough times.
Trawlers with full displacement hulls are by far the most accepted and widely used seaworthy shape for a trawler thus providing good fuel economy and perfect stability on the sea for long-distance cruising. Its huge water and fuel storage tanks allow for a comfortable living off the shore who plans for longer vacations. Though this kind of hull shape makes it very slow but with all its advantages, and for leisure cruising, this can be bypassed. A better option than sailboats, trawlers are definitely seaworthy. The comfort, freedom, and space that we get from trawlers make it the ideal choice however expensive it is.
CONCLUSION
Finally, when we sit to calculate the price of a trawler, fishing or recreational, the cost of having a high price tag is largely based on the manufacturing cost, undoubtedly. Vast shipyards are required where only a handful of trawlers can be built which again takes months.
Mostly manufactured manually, unlike other conveyance, the skilled labor involved in intensive, enormous facilities and machinery are required to build these trawlers which have to meet all the stringent safety and environmental regulations, and the research and development that goes into its making with innovative inclusions in its manufacturing also play a big part in increasing its cost.
But as we asked, what are we getting out of the money we invest in buying one? For fishing trawlers, it’s undeniably the catch. With advanced technology going into the making of mechanized trawlers, the focus is more on the catch in a sustainable manner and less on the fishing effort and lesser fuel consumption.
And well, for recreational trawlers, without any doubt, luxury speaks which has its price and moments for sure. It’s difficult to put a price tag on enjoyment, adventure, relaxation, or simply when you want to churn out memories with loved ones. What is the value of spending quality time with your family members?
In this fast-paced world, it helps you escape with your family and build stronger bonding with your friends. The added bonus is you get to experience a spirit of adventure with it and all these become your treasure house of memories. It creates an everlasting impression that cannot be tagged with any value of cash. For the price you are paying, you get immeasurable, boundless joy and quality time in return.
