I’ve owned a 36 foot coastal cruiser for the last seven years. It’s a nice boat. Sleeps four comfortably, six in a pinch. Has most of the amenities of home in a tiny package. Here is a photo of when I first took ownership. Hereis a photo from last season after I had a new canvas enclosure installed.
Over the last two years, I’ve become less and less enamoured with it, primarily because of its limitations. Its superstructure was not designed for rough waters. Its relatively small fuel tanks provide a maximum distance of approximately 230 miles, much less at WOT. Also, the boat has simply become too small for us.
I began looking at new models with better accommodations, updated systems with more efficient and precise maneuverability controls, eg, IPS, etc…, more contemporary styling, more space to entertain, and the ability to cruise at a somewhat longer range.
For the last year, I’ve been fixated on the Prestige 550S. It’s a 55 foot cruiser with an open concept salon and a retractable roof. It also sleeps 7 comfortably. Here’s an exterior shot. Another exterior shot in a different color. Here’s a photo of the master state room.
The problem with Prestige is their cruisers are also coastal boats. You can take them down river, and a few miles off shore, but they’re not fit for the open sea.
Recently, I’ve been looking into trawlers. Trawlers are built for ocean sailing and circumnavigating the globe. They’re structured to take a pounding and, with fuel tank capacities in the range of 1500 to 3500 gallons, are able to sail very long distances between refuels. Another great thing about trawlers is the living accommodations can be configured to your tastes and give you the full comforts of home. Here are a few interior photos of the model I’m considering: Pilothouse, master stateroom, an exterior shot, and another exterior shot.
Through various forums and blogs, I’ve been communicating with other trawler owners. Hearing and reading about their experiences and adventures has awakened something in me (no, not a xenomorph), and I now have a strong desire to travel the world on my own schedule. I’ve already called one of the world renowned trawler builders, Nordhavn, and am going to see a Nordhavn trawler at Trawlerfest in Baltimore in September. If I like what I see, I may visit their offices and get the build process started. Nordhavn builds to order, so even if I do purchase one it’ll be sometime in 2015 before it’s completed, commissioned, and handed over to me.
My wife is scared because she knows when I become obsessed with something like this there’s nothing she can do to dissuade me. 
If anyone here has trawler experience and can offer any advice, want to go over pros and cons, or even if you just have questions, I’d be happy to discuss them.
