Trawlers

Trawlers trade speed for range and efficiency, running at 7-10 knot displacement speeds that sip fuel compared to a planing motor yacht. That efficiency, paired with heavy-displacement hulls and large fuel tanks, makes trawlers the boat of choice for owners planning extended cruises — up the coast, along the Great Loop, or across an ocean on a passagemaker like a Nordhavn.

The slower pace comes with real advantages: a smoother, more stable ride, lower running costs, and layouts built around comfortable long-term living rather than day-tripping. Builders like Grand Banks, Kadey-Krogen, and Nordhavn have each built loyal followings around this style of cruising, and used trawlers hold their value well thanks to steady demand from cruisers who know exactly what they want.