# Contemplating a trawler to cross the Atlantic and Pacific **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 29, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848 "2013-07-29T21:19:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848/61 "2013-08-06T03:31:31Z")
28 knots? That’s over 50 km/h! A pretty respectable speed. I guess you can keep up with the traffic in the Panama Canal… 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848/62 "2013-08-06T04:38:14Z")
> [@Onomatopoeia](#): > > In a very general sense, yes. The more fuel you can carry, the farther you can go. However, the more fuel you carry, the heavier your boat. The heavier your boat, the slower you go, so carrying way too much fuel, just because you have the capacity, can affect travel time, especially if you’re on a schedule. There is always to much of a good thing. But if say you choice is 1,000 gal and 1,200 I’d go for the 1,200 ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848/63 "2013-08-06T13:53:31Z")
Fascinating thread. I have what is no doubt a very silly question and it is this - when you are travelling in the deep ocean, do you have to (or is it a good idea to) have enough crew aboard so that there is someone on watch 24 hours a day? ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848/64 "2013-08-06T14:38:09Z")
If you travel in the international shipping lanes, isn’t it very dangerous? Merchant ships carry minimal crews, and sometimes there is no officer on watch. Robin Lee Graham (ca. 1963) was almost run down by a steamship-they never saw him. I expect that maintaining a watch is one of the biggest issues in trans-ocean sailing. Yo could be run down and disappear -nothing wold ever be found. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848/65 "2013-08-06T14:41:05Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > Fascinating thread. > > I have what is no doubt a very silly question and it is this - when you are travelling in the deep ocean, do you have to (or is it a good idea to) have enough crew aboard so that there is someone on watch 24 hours a day? It’s not a silly question at all, and was cursorily addressed upthread. Modern vessels have a lot of modern tools with which to maximize the ability to traverse waterways without someone at the helm at all times. For example, there is the AIS (Automatic Identification System) which shows you all the vessels within a radius that you set. You can also set it so that whenever a vessel enters the radius, an alarm goes off throughout your vessel to alert you, even if no one is at the helm, giving you time to react, eg, get to the bridge and change course, speed, radio the other ship, etc… There are sophisticated autopilot systems that allow you to plot your course in fine increments, and when you lay it in, your ship follows the changes in course and speed precisely and automatically, negating the need for someone to be at the helm steering and throttling the vessel manually. The above stated, it is a very good idea to have someone on watch at all times while underway. Electronic systems are great, and can be 100 percent reliable…until they aren’t. The best system to pilot a seafaring vessel is still the human brain. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848/66 "2013-08-06T15:00:59Z")
> [@ralph124c](#): > > If you travel in the international shipping lanes, isn’t it very dangerous? You typically try to avoid major shipping lanes. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [August 6, 2013, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848/67 "2013-08-06T18:02:22Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Are you allowed to sail through the Panama Canal? If so, do you have to be part of a group of pleasure boats? (I can’t see them operating an entire lock of the Panama Canal for just one not-huge boat…) Here is a video of the small [trawler Venture transiting the Miraflores lock of the Panama canal](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue4xt10tF8k). ---
**Author:** ![mumof4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2016, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848/68 "2016-06-26T23:53:53Z")
I realize this thread is from 2013 and I am hoping that my question gets read 🙂 I’m writing a book and need some information regarding a trawler. How long would it take for a trawler to go from New York to Easter Island? How much fuel would it take? What is the biggest trawler to take 25 people with supplies? How much fuel would need to be stored, to get back if they needed to turn around? (I know nothing about boat’s, yachts, ships, trawlers, so my next question may sound dumb) Do they run on diesel or other kind of fuel? If this trip I want my characters to be taking takes x amount of days what/how will they get water, food what system is in place for food and water and toileting? What could go wrong engine wise? Is a person operating the boat called ‘skipper’ or captain? Yes I’ve done a google search and found nothing, this thread in this forum was the closest I managed to find, so I’m here asking what hasn’t been asked and answered. I really hope this gets read I want/need this information so my book will be factual 🙂 Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2016, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848/69 "2016-06-28T19:29:44Z")
> [@mumof4](#): > > I realize this thread is from 2013 and I am hoping that my question gets read 🙂 I’m writing a book and need some information regarding a trawler. Hi. I am the original poster. To start off, you will need answers to many more questions than you posed in order to draft a credible story told from the vantage point of travelers on a trawler. > [@mumof4](#): > > How long would it take for a trawler to go from New York to Easter Island? Many of the questions you asked require other information in order to be answered correctly. What type of trawler is it? What’s its make? How many engines? What will be the average speed (planned speed will help to determine how much fuel to carry)? How is your course plotted? What time of year will the voyage take place? > [@mumof4](#): > > How much fuel would it take? See above. > [@mumof4](#): > > What is the biggest trawler to take 25 people with supplies? For 25 passengers, you’re not talking about a standard trawler, you’re talking ship. Although there are large trawlers, is the owner of the trawler in your story wealthy enough to be able to plunk down multiple millions for a boat? For example, the Nordhavn 120, which is a 120 foot trawler that sleeps 15 costs $19,000,000 before options. > [@mumof4](#): > > How much fuel would need to be stored, to get back if they needed to turn around? This is based on many calculations, which is based on the answers to many questions you have not asked. > [@mumof4](#): > > (I know nothing about boat’s, yachts, ships, trawlers, so my next question may sound dumb) They’re not dumb; they’re just not well-researched, and are incomplete. > [@mumof4](#): > > Do they run on diesel or other kind of fuel? Depends on the engines, the boat itself, and the manufacturer. Typically, diesel engines are what you want. > [@mumof4](#): > > If this trip I want my characters to be taking takes x amount of days what/how will they get water, food what system is in place for food and water and toileting? If you’re smart, you’ll have a water maker on board, and possibly a backup, if you can afford it. I am not sure what you mean by 'what system is in place for food. As far as how waste is handled, it depends on where you are and the local laws. Out in the deep ocean human waste can be discharged. Typically, close to shore, waste must be stored and pumped out at a pumping station. > [@mumof4](#): > > What could go wrong engine wise? Anything you can imagine, and that is no exaggeration. > [@mumof4](#): > > Is a person operating the boat called ‘skipper’ or captain? The terms are interchangeable > [@mumof4](#): > > Yes I’ve done a google search and found nothing, this thread in this forum was the closest I managed to find, so I’m here asking what hasn’t been asked and answered. I really hope this gets read I want/need this information so my book will be factual 🙂 Not to sound contentious but, with a little time, all of the answers to your questions can be found online, but again, you’re really not asking the right questions, which says to me that you probably should do much more research before attempting your story. > [@mumof4](#): > > Thanks YW. Suggestion: Do a little more research, come back, and ask more questions. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2016, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848/70 "2016-06-28T19:53:11Z")
This was an interesting old thread to read – **Onomatopoeia** , what kind of boat did you end up getting, and have you crossed an ocean? ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2016, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848/71 "2016-06-28T20:08:42Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > This was an interesting old thread to read – **Onomatopoeia** , what kind of boat did you end up getting, and have you crossed an ocean? I actually still have my 36 footer and haven’t placed an order for a Nordhavn…yet. I had an opportunity to trade in my boat for a 40 footer earlier this year, which would have given us much more space, but it is a coastal cruiser, and I am really not interested in another coastal cruiser. My heart is set on Nordhavn but life has gotten in the way and caused me to delay my plans a bit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/contemplating-a-trawler-to-cross-the-atlantic-and-pacific/664848.md?page=3)