# Trawler Questions
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [June 27, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481 "2016-06-27T00:17:02Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/21 "2016-06-27T05:08:11Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> 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.
Cool, again no idea of those hindering factors. Thank you so much for telling me. At least when I put this into the story now it will look a lot more factual.
So just to get things right.
It’s going by google around 5000 to 5500 miles from New York area to Easter Island your saying that will take roughly 20 days?
How many times would they need to refuel?
Any other suggestions on vessel instead of a trawler?
When they set off which way should I say they are going, though that kind of thing can easily be avoided within the story.
Yes it’s post-Apocalypse so those who originally would man the canal wouldn’t be there, it could have been left open if it’s a easier route to be taken?
If you can think of anything else to assist with these facts please do let me know, thank you for your time and input it’s greatly appreciated 🙂
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### Author:  [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/22 "2016-06-27T06:13:57Z")
In a Post-apocalyptic scenario the Panama Canal will be closed. It is an active system that cannot be “left open”. So you need to plan your journey the long way round. Which will make it much longer.
You are probably going to need a bigger boat …
Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk
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### Author:  [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/23 "2016-06-27T06:28:11Z")
> [@mumof4](#):
>
> Yes it’s post-Apocalypse so those who originally would man the canal wouldn’t be there, it could have been left open if it’s a easier route to be taken?
> If you can think of anything else to assist with these facts please do let me know, thank you for your time and input it’s greatly appreciated 🙂
You can’t just leave the Panama Canal open. From sea level there’s a series of locks that lifts ships up to Gatun Lake, they cross the lake, and more locks lower them to sea level on the other side. Someone needs to operate the locks; open doors, close doors, open valves, etc. The basic idea is pretty simple, but whether untrained people could figure out the controls to do it in practice I don’t know. And operating the locks would probably require some sort of power source, although a critical site like that might have backup generators.
As for getting from the U.S. east coast to Easter Island, would it be possible to travel across land to the west coast and then take a ship? Seems like it would save a lot of miles and time to do it that way.
Once at sea they’re gonna have to figure out a way to navigate. If GPS is still up and running, great. If not, celestial navigation is possible, but it takes some knowledge and practice.
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/24 "2016-06-27T06:43:01Z")
> [@donkeyoatey](#):
>
> 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.
That’s not true in contemporary usage. The term “trawler” in the yachting community refers to a particular style of boat having some of the characteristics of traditional fishing trawlers, typically with slow displacement hulls, small engines, and slow cruising speeds. [This is one example](http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1986/CML-by-C%26C-Yachts-Tri-Cabin-Trawler-2927486/Richmond/Canada). They’re popular in some sectors because they’re roomy and economical relative to more conventional yacht designs. They are sometimes more formally called recreational trawlers or cruising trawlers. None of them have ever seen a fish except in the galley or on the grill.
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/25 "2016-06-27T06:54:38Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#):
>
> You can’t just leave the Panama Canal open. From sea level there’s a series of locks that lifts ships up to Gatun Lake, they cross the lake, and more locks lower them to sea level on the other side. Someone needs to operate the locks; open doors, close doors, open valves, etc. The basic idea is pretty simple, but whether untrained people could figure out the controls to do it in practice I don’t know. And operating the locks would probably require some sort of power source, although a critical site like that might have backup generators.
>
> As for getting from the U.S. east coast to Easter Island, would it be possible to travel across land to the west coast and then take a ship? Seems like it would save a lot of miles and time to do it that way. Where on the West Coast? Like if I only have a google map, to go by what am I looking at?
>
> Once at sea they’re gonna have to figure out a way to navigate. If GPS is still up and running, great. If not, celestial navigation is possible, but it takes some knowledge and practice.
(Shivers I didn’t even think about this)
I think it’s quite obvious I’m not from the US. Which is making all these things that you and other posters mention rather frustrating ((Not your answers)) but the fact I didn’t research this enough.
OK so I’ve got a fair good amount of information, thanks 🙂
They have a Skipper, but not an engineer - I’ll have to turn one of the other characters into that - not an issue.
They currently have a ferry boat, one of the ones used for NY to Liberty Island etc.
So I’m not sure how far they could travel on that ferry boat? Would that even get them to Easter Island? Probably not due to the conditions of the seas right?
That leaves tweaking the story to have one of them open the canal, easy enough for me to incorporate that with a character. This has given me a good start.
Thanks for the information.
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/26 "2016-06-27T07:08:11Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#):
>
> You can’t just leave the Panama Canal open. From sea level there’s a series of locks that lifts ships up to Gatun Lake, they cross the lake, and more locks lower them to sea level on the other side. Someone needs to operate the locks; open doors, close doors, open valves, etc. The basic idea is pretty simple, but whether untrained people could figure out the controls to do it in practice I don’t know. And operating the locks would probably require some sort of power source, although a critical site like that might have backup generators.
>
> As for getting from the U.S. east coast to Easter Island, would it be possible to travel across land to the west coast and then take a ship? Seems like it would save a lot of miles and time to do it that way.
>
> Once at sea they’re gonna have to figure out a way to navigate. If GPS is still up and running, great. If not, celestial navigation is possible, but it takes some knowledge and practice.
Would the ferry boat they have get them to say: New Shoreham Rhode Island?
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/27 "2016-06-27T07:17:22Z")
> [@mumof4](#):
>
> Would the ferry boat they have get them to say: New Shoreham Rhode Island?
It was meant to read Block Island. Which I’ve since found that it could work. Given that a viking ferry travels there year round. What I need to know now is that canal that you were talking about, do they still need to switch that off to get to Block Island? Thanks
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### Author:  [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/28 "2016-06-27T08:01:51Z")
> [@donkeyoatey](#):
>
> 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 aren’t wrong but as you know trawlers tend to be a distinctive design and they are still of that design when not being used for trawling. It was pretty apparent to me from context what the OP was after. I suspect it was apparent to you also.
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### Author:  [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/29 "2016-06-27T08:12:33Z")
Thing about trawlers is that they are designed to be very seaworthy (ie capable of handling bad weather), very stable, relatively slow and powerful. This assists with pulling a big net along. They also have substantial below decks holds for fish, and good working area.
You really don’t want any of these things except seaworthiness.
Most ferries would be crap. They are designed for short term accommodation, and short range, and usually semi-sheltered waters and so on.
What you want is something highly seaworthy (especially if going 'round Cape Horn) but faster and more economical and with more accommodation. Maybe a big offshore charter fishing vessel. Or a medium small white boat (rich man’s yacht). Some of them have a long range. I think I’d be having my characters head for the nearest big marina and take their pick.
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/30 "2016-06-27T08:41:49Z")
> [@Princhester](#):
>
> Thing about trawlers is that they are designed to be very seaworthy (ie capable of handling bad weather), very stable, relatively slow and powerful. This assists with pulling a big net along. They also have substantial below decks holds for fish, and good working area.
>
> You really don’t want any of these things except seaworthiness.
>
> Most ferries would be crap. They are designed for short term accommodation, and short range, and usually semi-sheltered waters and so on.
>
> What you want is something highly seaworthy (especially if going 'round Cape Horn) but faster and more economical and with more accommodation. Maybe a big offshore charter fishing vessel. Or a medium small white boat (rich man’s yacht). Some of them have a long range. I think I’d be having my characters head for the nearest big marina and take their pick.
Thanks for the input, I’ve decided to take up Block Island instead, it’s A: Closer, B: Easier to get to. C: Even less populated than Easter Island. They won’t need to look for another boat, vessel or ship. I just need to know now if they can do it without having to cross the canal? ((Not from the US)) So I have no idea?
Thanks
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### Author:  [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/31 "2016-06-27T08:51:28Z")
Starting from New York, you don’t need to pass through the Panama Canal to reach Block Island.
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### Author:  [@mumof4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mumof4)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/32 "2016-06-27T09:03:16Z")
> [@UDS](#):
>
> Starting from New York, you don’t need to pass through the Panama Canal to reach Block Island.
Awesome, thanks so much for the answer 🙂
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/33 "2016-06-27T12:32:07Z")
From New York City you would would run up Long Island Sound before going out in the open ocean to get to Block Island. It’s barely in the open ocean. But there would be a ferries docked out toward the end of Long Island and in Rhode Island and Massachusetts that are very close by. It’s so close to shore you could make multiple trips in smaller boats. Probably not part of your story, but there’s a Zedonk that lives on Block Island.
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/34 "2016-06-27T14:06:51Z")
There are many issues with this scenario. First of all, the Ferry boats in NY harbor are not designed to be seaworthy. Any sort of storm and water would wash over the lower deck and it’s in great danger of swamping.
If you got to Orient Point on Long Island, some of the ferries there might be able to handle an ocean voyage, but I have no idea what sort of range they have. And running a ship that size requires a trained crew.
If this is for a book, you’re making needless work for yourself. Why Easter Island? Why not the Bahamas? Or Bermuda? Why not have the people start out from San Diego? Why 25 people?Why a trawler? Why not a sailboat (practically no fuel issues, and it’s pretty easy to learn how to sail one)? You’re the author; you can change things to fit.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/35 "2016-06-27T14:43:14Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> There are many issues with this scenario. First of all, the Ferry boats in NY harbor are not designed to be seaworthy. Any sort of storm and water would wash over the lower deck and it’s in great danger of swamping.
>
> If you got to Orient Point on Long Island, some of the ferries there might be able to handle an ocean voyage, but I have no idea what sort of range they have. And running a ship that size requires a trained crew.
>
> If this is for a book, you’re making needless work for yourself. Why Easter Island? Why not the Bahamas? Or Bermuda? Why not have the people start out from San Diego? Why 25 people?Why a trawler? Why not a sailboat (practically no fuel issues, and it’s pretty easy to learn how to sail one)? You’re the author; you can change things to fit.
He’s talking about taking a ferry to Block Island now, certainly doable, it’s already the major mode for getting there. But there would be plenty of boats around New York City that can make it to the Caribbean islands instead. Assuming the Skipper has some experience it’s a pretty good ride down the coast to Florida, and then not that far to hop from island to island.
**mumof4** , I don’t know what your story will be, but you seem to be focused on some minor points here. Given the need there will be plenty of boats capable of reaching plenty of islands. They’d be better off taking one or more pleasure yachts on a long trip than a commercial trawler. And for going the short distance to Block Island just use small recreational craft on as many trips as needed, it’s a short haul, I know plenty of people who have gone from Narragansett Bay to Block Island in small boats.
ETA: Is it ‘she’ - mumof4?
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### Author:  [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/36 "2016-06-27T15:05:03Z")
Any chance of your post-apocolyptic world allows the Panama Canal to remain functioning … 'cause an adventure to Easter Island sounds a lot cooler than Block Island … not to mention the transit through the canal itself, think of the drama … banks lined with headhunters … mutant Boa Constrictors … acid rain … pterodactyls … [shivers] …
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/37 "2016-06-27T15:31:14Z")
> [@donkeyoatey](#):
>
> Why don’t you pull the stick out of your ass and see if it has the definition of “pun” written on it.
**Moderator Warning**
This is an official warning for being a jerk. If you can’t be civil in General Questions then don’t post here.
If you have a problem with moderation, then open another thread in ATMB. Further discussion here may result in an additional warning.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
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### Author:  [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/38 "2016-06-27T15:55:38Z")
[quote=“mumof4, post:21, topic:758481”]
Cool, again no idea of those hindering factors. Thank you so much for telling me. At least when I put this into the story now it will look a lot more factual.
So just to get things right.
It’s going by google around 5000 to 5500 miles from New York area to Easter Island your saying that will take roughly 20 days?
How many times would they need to refuel?
Any other suggestions on vessel instead of a trawler?
When they set off which way should I say they are going, though that kind of thing can easily be avoided within the story.
Yes it’s post-Apocalypse so those who originally would man the canal wouldn’t be there, it could have been left open if it’s a easier route to be taken?
If you can think of anything else to assist with these facts please do let me know, thank you for your time and input it’s greatly appreciated :)[/QUOT
You have a lot of Depends. Depends on how fast the trawler could go.
Fuel would be diesel.
I do not know how big the tanks on an ocean going trawler would be so I could not guess how often it would refuel or how long the fresh water would last.
You can not just leave the cannel open so either the Cape of God Hope or South America. It will take an experienced sailor to make the south America route.
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/39 "2016-06-27T15:59:19Z")
> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> And for going the short distance to Block Island just use small recreational craft on as many trips as needed, it’s a short haul, I know plenty of people who have gone from Narragansett Bay to Block Island in small boats.
I’ve sailed from Connecticut to Block Island in a fairly small sailboat (although we used the motor much of the time). It’s only 13 or 14 miles from Long Island or the mainland of Rhode Island, so you could basically get there in a rowboat if you had to.
> [@watchwolf49](#):
>
> Any chance of your post-apocolyptic world allows the Panama Canal to remain functioning … 'cause an adventure to Easter Island sounds a lot cooler than Block Island … not to mention the transit through the canal itself, think of the drama … banks lined with headhunters … mutant Boa Constrictors … acid rain … pterodactyls … [shivers] …
The Panama Canal switched to electric motors to open and close the lock gates several decades ago. Although the lock gates are so finely balanced they can be opened by a single person, I don’t know whether the mechanical gears are still available for emergency use.
More importantly, excess rainfall has the possibility to wreck the lock gates if it is not allowed out through the Spillway of the Gatun Dam at the end of the rainy season. The Canal might be permanently out of operation within a few years of abandonment.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [June 27, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trawler-questions/758481/40 "2016-06-27T16:09:11Z")
> [@Colibri](#):
>
> It’s only 13 or 14 miles from Long Island or the mainland of Rhode Island, so you could basically get there in a rowboat if you had to.
I’m sure it’s been done. Before motorboats dories were used to travel all around the sound and bay.
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