Great Loop Trawler Videos: The Prairie Economical Trawler

http://www.treasuresites.com/modelsw.htm - extensive nautical section. One of the best pocket trawler designs to come off the drafting board of Jack Hargrave, the Mischief, a 29 foot 1978 Prairie Trawler being readied for extended cruising. Follow the cruise on the ICW from Jacksonville to our home port in 23 days through all types of weather and situations. Prairie Boat Works was bought out by Atlantic & production continued for a few more years. The Prairie 29 is a Jack Hargrave design, the 29 in particular very similar to his later Hatteras 42 Long Range Cruiser from the bow quarter. We have found our Prairie very comfortable to live on, very stable in practically all conditions presented in this series of movies. Things we like: shallow draft capability (2'9"), double shaft bearing seals, excellent fuel mileage (Yanmar 52 hp diesel), heavy construction makes it easy to heat and cool, ease of operation for 2 people. Since the recession, Prairie and Atlantic trawlers sell for a fraction of what they were and are a great boat to live on and cruise (2 people). Other models we had considered: 26 Nordic Tug Trawler (rejected due to size, cost, and lack of flybridge), Sundowner Trawler, Island Gypsy 32 Trawler, Grand Banks 32 Trawler (rejected due to maintenance of wood issues), Eagle 32 Trawler (the closest one we came to buying, but the engine time was very high), various Willard Trawlers (love the style, but to much draft for where we live to be practical). All the previous are great boats, but buying a trawler involves not only the boat, but where it will be used, and the mission it will be on. If you study the boats, try to pick the one that fits the most of your needs, and you'll be one happy boater for a long time. Best of luck! P.S.: these are very fuel efficient trawlers, throttled back to 2200 rpm, slightly over 7 mpg with a 4 blade prop.

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[mnstrbassplyer1]

Hey Matt!! I was wondering, in watching your vids you seem to fish alot. I was wondering if you knew what the procedure was if someone was to do the loop what or is there a certain license or do we need one from each state?? Thank you again for all your information and your videos. Hope to see you on the waterway soon..

[flagold]

@mnstrbassplyer1 : there was a recent discussion of this on the Great Loop Mailing List (which you should join) and there is no clear answer other than get a license for each state. Some fish under an old common law that fishing for vessel (underway) needs is legal in all states (I guess you'd just have to make sure to clean fish as caught - I really don't know how you'd prove anything). Personally, I'd just get the 2 week licenses as we pass through the states I wanted to fish in.)

[mnstrbassplyer1]

Hey Matt!! Was wondering if you used a dealer to find the Mischief or did you just look. Looks like "m going to be heading your way to try to find us a trawler. Looking to spend about 55 thousand with my father so if you see a nice one let me know. Hopefully gonna be starting the loop soon..Hope to see you on the waterways..

[flagold]

@mnstrbassplyer1 : I plugged "29' Prairie Trawler for sale" (and all kinds of ways) into the search engine (I used Google) and a couple popped out. The Mischief was rough as far as cosmetics, it had gone the predictable route: pleasure, fishing boat, commercial boat, floating office, liveaboard, and then in the process of cruiser with new engine/transmission etc., etc. I doubt you'll need 55 thou to buy a very good one of these, market low now. They are the perfect boat for a cruising couple.

[mnstrbassplyer1]

@flagold Thank you for the response Matt. I really enjoy your videos and can't wait to see you start the coastal series again. Maybe I can pick up where you left off with my own series. Learned from the best watching yours. Thinking about a 38 to 40 foot trawler for me and my father but one that also gets good mileage like yours. Not looking for speed, just good fuel mileage. Again, Thank you for the info and hope to see ya on the waterways..

[flagold]

@mnstrbassplyer1 : if that is the size you're looking for, there is a 36 Morgan West Indian Trawler in Jacksonville for $45,000. Has a new Yanmar in it and would fit the bill as they are like the Prairie line and have immense room for their size. Only negatives I see is they put in a wall A/C (but you can yank that & put in a Dometic Marine Air), and a standup fridge (change that to a Tundra ac/dc) and have money left to cruise the loop. Very best of luck to you - a big step and worthwhile!

[flagold]

@mnstrbassplyer1 : oops - that Morgan is in Daytona Beach - another in Texas for $65,000 (Yachtworld, click advanced search, plug Morgan in the make, and trawler in the description and they'll pop out)

[bartybum]

THEY SEE ME TRAWLIN', THEY HATIN'.