Trawler Questions

Hi all, 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, I really hope this gets read I want/need this information so my book will be factual
Thanks

Why would a trawler go from the North Atlantic to the South Pacific?

Because it’s where my characters are going to be heading, for the book I’m writing :slight_smile: and why not? is this not doable?

Do you know what a trawler is?

Well that’s rather insulting. Of course I know what one is other wise I’d not be asking the questions. Do you know what a trawler is? Sounds like you are fishing (Get it) for God only knows what. I don’t bite, so best be on your way, if you haven’t got anything to offer in the way of answering my questions. Other wise feel free to enlighten me? Don’t waste my time by being a dick!

What route will your characters take? Through the canal, around Cape Horn, east through the Indian Ocean? Trawlers can be immense, I think you want to know what the smallest trawler is to take 25 men and supplies. Most ships use special marine grades of diesel fuel. You’ll have a captain, often called Skipper by the crew, and you’ll need an engineer because all sorts of things can go wrong with the engines and other ship systems, and a radio operator named Sparks.

Moderator Note

mumof4, insults are not permitted on this board outside of the BBQ Pit forum. Since you’re new here I’m making this a note instead of an official warning. If you have a problem with another poster, report the post and let the moderators deal with it.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator

Moderator Note

These are not particularly helpful comments. If you don’t know the answers to the questions there is no need to respond.

Colibri
General Questions Moderator

Radio operators are long gone, these days radios are easy enough to work that a specialist isn’t required. Agree re diesel. Agree with skipper. “Captain” is waay too formal for any trawler I’ve had anything to do with.

Fresh water is from fresh water tanks. Only the very largest ocean going trawlers might have fresh water making facilities. Food comes from freezers and cans. Toilets send everything over the side. I don’t have any more answers.

They weren’t comments,they were questions. A trawler is a fishing boat. It is not sailing from the North Atlantic to the South Pacific.And Google will answer all of the trawling above.

The first one was reasonable. The second was snarky.

I hope you’re not making an accusation of trolling, which is prohibited outside the Pit. And no, Google won’t answer such questions nearly as efficiently as asking them here.

Why don’t you pull the stick out of your ass and see if it has the definition of “pun” written on it.
And how do you think

this has any meaning when trawlers (aka draggers) fish pretty much every kind of fish and range in size from about 15 meters to 220 meters?

I was just throwing that in for the Sparks nickname. I think it’s usually Sparky, probably went out of use 50 years ago too.

I lowered my standards as I found the comment that person made irritating. I won’t be lower myself like that again, my apologies :slight_smile:

Gosh I never thought about the route that they would travel, it would be avoided in terms of specifications within the story itself. Thank you for the answer :slight_smile: Any idea how long it would take for a trip such as this? As in days, a week? or less? how often would they have to refuel along the way? And yes something that would take that amount of people, without boring you with the story line it’s an apologetic story, the travellers are survivors. Any ways thanks for the answers you’ve supplied :slight_smile:

As you would know if you have anything to do with the industry, fishing is broadly in decline. There are a lot of trawlers on the market being sold cheap and used for things other than trawling.

Thanks for these answers, I had completely forgotten about radio, so you answered something that should have been asked :slight_smile: you answered a lot, so many thanks to you :slight_smile:

I grew up on the island of Newfoundland. I know a little about the industry, thanks.
And if trawlers are being used for something else, they are no longer trawlers.

You’ll need to figure out the route. I assume you’d go through the canal, it’s there for a reason, but it depends on the circumstances of your story. You say they are survivors, if this is a post-apocalyptic type of thing then you don’t just sail through the canal, it’s a set of locks that have to be operated. And if it is operating normally it can take a few days to get through during busy periods. I think trawlers aren’t real fast, so your ship might travel anywhere from 200 miles to 300 miles a day in the open sea in good weather. I’m guessing around 6000 miles through the canal to Easter Island, so 20 days absolute minimum, a lot longer for an inexperienced crew.

Ops error on a type-o it’s meant to read Apocalypse (I said Apologetic) lol big mistake there lol