Where to start?

[Eric Benjamin]

My wife and I have decided to get a family trawler for cruising the northwest and beyond

*We have no clue where to start and no idea what we need.... But we have started A wish/want list... We were hoping some of you could steer us..

*

Us Early 40s, not retiring anytime soon Twins about turn two

She : schoolteacher (summers off)

Must haves: separate stateroom for mom/dad, don't need walk around berth Real shower/head No projects/repairs immediately needed Convertible sleeping are for kids Enclosed helm, no canvas "pilot house" Safety is paramount. Reliability is paramount 500nm range, weeks worth of freezer/fridge space Under 40 feet

*

Nice to have Laundry facilities Simple to maintain No flybridge No exterior woodwork Turn key (no upgrades needed) Located in pacific northwest Under 38 feet Less than 3-4gph at 6-8 knots Not a lot of interior wood Space to fit a kids friend or two High railings etc. Where should we start looking?

[MichaelPorter3]

While the shape and interior volume seem to be worked out, the question of how the boat will be marina to marina, or anchored out will be the key.

There are loads of dock queens that can stagger from marina to marina , where power and water are ready to operate your freezer and laundromat .

It would be quite rare to find a true cruising boat with the ability to not need a marina ('cept for fuel) so turnkey may be a dream.

You have a goof idea of the interior you need , its time to bone up on Your method of cruising.

A dock queen with noisemaker at least 8 hours a day would work, if that fits your desirements.

[Eric Benjamin]

Thanks-
But certainly not a dock queen. Sure we would like to use the boat as entertainment space and we do intend on the mooring it at a dock less than 20 mins away from the house, but "cruising the Puget Sound and inside passage up to Alaska in complete safety are our main goals.* Make smart decisions based on the weather, but being able to handle a misjudgement or getting caught off guard.

*

We don't have any ocean going cruising planned, other than someday I would like to cruise south in retirment and not come back....

[Andy Tanerby]

Sounds like you are describing a Nordic Tug 37.