February, 2018

The market for used, late model trawlers has enjoyed renewed popularity in recent years as increasing numbers of baby boomers look to these boats for their retirement years. Economical to operate and easily handled, coastal trawlers under forty feet tend to be affordable and roomy enough for extended cruising by couples. Profiled below are ten of the most popular models in this category. Ranging in price from under $100,000 to well over $300,000, these best selling trawlers have earned a solid reputation for owner satisfaction and long term investment quality.

At a Glance:  A huge sales success, the Mainship 350 Trawler (called the 390 Trawler in 1999–2005) is an economical, low-maintenance coastal cruiser with classic trawler lines and a good turn of speed. Stepping inside from the covered aft deck, large wraparound windows provide lots of natural lighting in the salon and excellent visibility from the lower helm. An L-shaped galley with refrigerator/freezer and Corian counter is forward to port. The teak and holly salon sole is an attractive feature, and a sliding door at the helm provides easy deck access. The master stateroom has an island queen berth and the guest stateroom (partially tucked beneath the galley) has twin single berths. Molded steps ascend from the aft deck to the flybridge. A single 370hp Yanmar diesel will cruise at 10–12 knots. Twin 230hp Yanmar diesels cruise at 14 knots.

Price Range: From $75K up to $150–175K.

At a Glance:  An iconic boat—over 1,200 were built during her production years. (The original GB 36 was built of Philippine mahogany until mid-1973 when the transition to fiberglass was made.) A semi-displacement hull with a long keel, hard chines and a deep forefoot provide the stability that won the 36 a reputation for seaworthiness seldom matched by other boats in her class. Several twin-stateroom interiors were offered over the years, all finished with handcrafted teak woodwork and all incorporating the very best in workmanship, hardware and materials. Notable features include teak decks and functional mast and boom. Note the cockpit door in the aft stateroom. In 1987, the 36 Classic was slightly enlarged when six inches were added to the length and four inches to the beam. Most were powered by a single 120hp (or 135hp) Lehman diesel.

Price Range: From $30K (early model) to over $200K.

At a Glance:  Built in Nova Scotia after 1992, the Monk 36 gained popularity in the 1980s as a durable and affordable Taiwan import. Construction is solid fiberglass, and the hull features a skeg-protected prop as well as an upswept, well flared bow that contributes to her dry ride. Early models came with plenty of exterior teak—decks, window frames, hatches, etc.—but in later models built in Nova Scotia only the handrails are teak. The galley-up floorplan of the Monk 36 remained essentially unchanged over the years although post 1992 models eliminated the tub in the aft head and moved the bed away from the wall in the owner’s stateroom—a big improvement. A single 120hp or 135hp Lehman diesel was standard in early models (about 7 knots at cruise). Later models with a single 220hp Cummins cruise at 9–10 knots.

Price Range: From  about $100K to just over $200K.

At a Glance:   A sturdy, well-constructed family cruiser with a roomy interior and a salty, workboat profile. Built on a beamy semi-displacement hull with a full-length keel, the spacious teak interior of the 34 is ideal for the cruising couple. Both the stateroom and head are particularly large for a boat this size, and visibility from the raised pilothouse, with weathertight deck doors, is excellent. In the salon, a linear galley to starboard provides an abundance of counter and storage space—features quickly appreciated when it comes to daily food-prep activities. The side decks are wide with raised bulwarks all around for added security. A transom storage locker and bow thruster are standard. The cabintop can stow a dinghy. A single 330hp Cummins diesel will cruise at 13–14 knots. At 7–8 knots the cruising range can exceed 1,000 nautical miles.

Price Range: From about $200K to the mid 300s.

At a Glance:   The Nordic Tug 32 (called the Nordic Tug 34 since 2013) is a full-keeled, semi-displacement cruiser whose classic tugboat profile and quality construction have endeared her to yachting enthusiasts for many years. Two interior configurations were available: one with an angled double berth in the stateroom and the galley forward in the salon, and the other with V-berths forward and an L-shaped galley aft in the salon. The 32 received an extensive makeover in 2002—the result was the Nordic Tug 32+ with an island berth in the forward stateroom, a new galley layout with under-counter refrigeration, and a swim platform that extends the hull and waterline length. In 2008, the hull was revised to include a prop pocket. The Nordic Tug will cruise at 12 knots with single 220hp Cummins diesel or 14 knots with a 270hp Cummins engine. Over 300 have been built.

Price Range: From  under $100K to $300K-plus.