Various boat types offer cabins, but nothing surpasses the convenience of trailerable trawlers for coast-to-coast adventuring. They let you attach them to your tow vehicle and venture to any desired lake, river, or bay, providing a compact floating home where you can sleep, prepare meals, and relax. Eager to explore? Explore these leading pocket trawler brands.
For Towing, Best Trailerable Trawlers
While many boats can technically be towed, some demand a large towing vehicle and special permits for transportation. The most tow-friendly options, however, can be easily transported by a typical full-size pickup or a large SUV. These models are generally smaller, with compact cabins and limited amenities, ideal for those who prioritize convenience over space. If minimal hassle on the road appeals to you, these are worth considering.
Atlas Boat Works
The Atlas Pompano 21, with a length of 21 feet 3 inches, a width of 7 feet, and a dry weight of 2,400 pounds, offers a cozy cabin for overnight stays. Its 54-hp diesel engine is highly fuel-efficient, using only 1.4 gallons per hour at an 11-knot cruising speed. Despite being an inboard, it only requires two feet of water for launching, making it versatile for different boat ramps. It features a three-sided helm enclosure, a compact galley, and a V-berth with a portable marine sanitation device underneath.
For those interested in an outboard-powered model, Atlas presents the 23 Pompano. It includes a bracket for a 70-hp outboard engine, achieving speeds up to 20 mph and cruising speeds in the mid-teens. For additional space, the Acadia 25 models offer larger cabins and enclosed heads, with a beam of 8 feet 6 inches. Yet, they remain easily trailerable across the U.S.
C-Dory
Among C-Dory’s trailerable models, the 22 Cruiser stands out for its simplicity. Weighing just 2,600 pounds, smaller vehicles easily towed it, thanks to its sub-5,000 pound total towing weight. It’s powered by a modest 115 hp engine and includes a 4 foot 6 inch aft cockpit for fishing. The cabin is surprisingly spacious, featuring a dinette, helm station, mini-galley, and a 6 foot 3 inch V-berth, with a headroom of 6 feet 2 inches.
The 23’ Venture offers 6 feet 4 inches of headroom for a slight upgrade and supports up to 150 hp. The 25 Cruiser and 26 Venture provide even more cabin space while maintaining an 8-foot 6-inch beam, allowing for legal U.S. towing without a permit.
Best Trailerable Trawlers for Cruising
Creature comforts and additional space become essential for those intent on extensive cruising and spending several days onboard. The necessities include a kitchen for meal prep, ample sleeping quarters, sufficient storage for equipment, and a separate, enclosed bathroom. Is it possible to find all this in a boat that’s also trailerable? Absolutely.
Ranger Tugs
While only a few compact trawlers offer complete cruising features and remain easy to trail, Ranger Tugs stands out with models like the R-23, R-25, and R-27. These boats boast an 8-foot-6-inch beam and a collapsible mast, facilitating trailering. They come with luxuries such as diesel heating, air conditioning, high-quality stereo systems, and electric grills in the cockpit. For cruisers, the kitchen comes fully loaded with a microwave, stove, and fridge/freezer, ensuring the ability to sleep five comfortably, thanks to a forward cabin, a dinette that converts into a bed, and an additional midship sleeping area.
For those willing to navigate the permit process for wider towing, the Ranger Tugs R-29 and R-31 models provide even more spacious interiors and many features. The R-31, weighing 12,000 pounds, necessitates a robust towing vehicle. However, all structures above the hardtop can be folded to keep the height within the legal limit of 13 feet 6 inches.
Nordic Tugs
Nordic Tugs offers the trailerable Nordic Tug 26, which, with its 9-foot-6-inch beam, typically requires a wide-load permit for road transport in most states. Its 3-foot-6-inch draft also means you’ll need to select boat ramps carefully. Despite the extra logistics, this model is an exceptional cruiser, providing sleeping space for four, a stand-up enclosed bathroom, a complete kitchen, and ample storage. Weighing 8,600 pounds requires a significant towing vehicle, but many full-size trucks are up to the task.
Sporty Trailerable Trawlers
The boat market is diverse, and today’s trawlers are not limited to the slow, fuel-efficient stereotypes of the past. Some modern models are designed with planing hulls and outboard engines, stretching the traditional definition of a trawler. These boats offer both the desired amenities and the aesthetics cherished by trawler enthusiasts, wrapped in a more dynamic package.
Cutwater
Cutwater’s C-248 stands out as their sole model designed for effortless trailering, thanks to its 8-foot-6-inch beam. However, if you’re up for the challenge, the C-288 C and C-30 Sedan, with their wider 10-foot beams, can high-speed travel on a trailer with the proper permits. These vessels boast enclosed helms and cabins atop a swift, double-stepped hull, incorporating an extra sleeping area beneath the dinette.
Outfitted with a comprehensive array of standard features, Cutwater boats impress with advanced Garmin navigation systems, digital engine readouts, and versatile folding seating in the cockpit. Notably, the C-248 distinguishes itself as a compact trawler that doesn’t just excel in cruising but is also capable of towing a water skier, showcasing its versatility and power.
Solara
Solara, a new venture by Fluid Motion, positions itself in the market as a purveyor of “luxury pocket cruisers.” With their outboard engines and efficient stepped hulls, these boats frequently cruise above 30 mph and can reach speeds in the 40s. Solara presents three distinct 25-foot models, each featuring the desirable 8-foot-6-inch beam for easy trailering but offering unique configurations.
The Solara S-250 C, or “coupe,” boasts a fully enclosed living space and helm, including a kitchen, dining area, and an additional lower cabin with sleeping quarters and a private bathroom. The CW model, with its “center walkaround” design, resembles a center console boat but extends the console to the boat’s port side, enclosing a cabin with sleeping space, a small kitchen, and a restroom. Additionally, there’s a dual console variant geared towards day boating. However, it falls outside the scope of this discussion due to its lack of enclosed overnight accommodations.
Ultimately, the ideal choice depends on your specific needs and the capabilities of your towing vehicle. Regardless of your decision, one thing remains clear: the current market offers a wide range of trailerable trawlers that cater to diverse preferences, from simple and efficient designs to luxury and high performance.
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