Trawlers And Semi-Displacement Boats

Nordic Tugs 26

"Back by popular demand" isn't a phrase often heard regarding boat models, but Nordic Tug's very first model, the 26, which had been out of production for 15 years, is being reintroduced. This fuel-efficient pocket cruiser can meander along at six knots with her 110-hp Yanmar burning less than a gallon an hour, or at eight knots, still getting 4 nmpg. If the need arises, the 26 will top out at around 14 knots. With a forward stateroom and a convertible dinette, the 26 can sleep four. With a beam less than 10 feet, the 26 can be trailered (with permits) on an optional EZ Loader trailer.

Nordhavn 52 Coastal Pilot

The Nordhavn brand is synonymous with full-displacement, ocean-crossing trawlers, but early on, they made a semi-displacement model for coastal cruising called the 35 Coastal Pilot that is still in demand today. Following up on that demand, the Nordhavn 52 Coastal Pilot will offer the same 1,000-plus nm range and semi-displacement speeds around 15 knots that the 35CP was capable of, and more, but in a bigger package.

With classic sedan looks, the two-stateroom, two-head boat features a galley up, a utility room with a washer/dryer, and a standup engine room where the twin Cummins QSB 480-hp diesels can be found. A clever, split-level design turns the second head into a functional day-head just a few steps down from the salon — guests will find the second stateroom down a few more stairs and underneath the salon. A 2,000-plus amp hour battery bank coupled with a 3,500-watt inverter can silently provide much of the house electrical needs, with a 20-kw Onan generator for periods of heavy power consumption. The flybridge has a fiberglass hardtop with LED lighting and room for a dinghy and a 600-pound crane. The first 52CP should be christened late summer 2013. Nordhavn.com

Ranger Tugs R-31

Ranger Tugs continues to make the go-anywhere trawler with trailerable models from 21 to 31 feet. The latest, the R-31, has a 10-foot beam and a retractable flybridge, making it possible to transport over the road, should you wish to stretch your cruising area. With both forward and midships staterooms, plus a convertible dinette, you can sleep six, and entertain your guests with handy tables both on the bow, and in the cockpit. The cockpit is also home to a neat feature, gull-wing seating, which flips outboard from the gunwales to provide more seating without taking up cockpit space, effectively expanding the cockpit beyond the boat's 10-foot beam.

Powered by a single 300-hp Volvo D4 diesel, the R-31 cruises around 15 knots. The boat comes standard with both bow and stern thrusters for easy maneuvering at the docks. Another nice touch is the stairs to the flybridge, a feature more commonly found on much larger boats. RangerTugs.com

Kadey-Krogen 48AE

The Kadey-Krogen 48 AE (the AE stands for Advanced Ergonomics) debuted in Ft. Lauderdale last fall, and took home the "People's Choice" award from Trawler Fest visitors. Unlike some of the smaller boats in this roundup, the Kadey-Krogen is a true full-displacement boat, capable of maintaining nine knots, pushed by her 201-hp John Deere diesel, for nearly 1,400 nautical miles. Slow down to seven knots, and that range doubles, to more than 3,000 nautical miles.

Taking ideas from owners of the existing 48-foot model, the North Sea, Kadey-Krogen added features to enhance the liveaboard experience in the AE, including expanding the galley, deeper and wider steps to the pilot house, and molded stairs to the flybridge. The galley also features full-sized appliances, and a floor to ceiling pantry, while the pilot house now features side-by-side helm chairs.

Kadey-Krogen is bringing similar thinking to the new 44-foot AE, just announced. It should debut in 2013. KadeyKrogen.com