It’s a common dream among cruising boaters: packing up and slipping the dock lines to explore the vast waters that make up more than 70 percent of our planet. Maybe you’ll stick to coastal waters and visit intriguing ports along the way. Or possibly your goals are far-ranging, and an ocean crossing to a remote, tropical island chain is your idea of adventure.

Wherever you plot your waypoints, you’ll need the right vessel to suit your voyage. Trawlers come in versions that are slower and faster, displacement and semi-displacement, large and small, stout and sleek, with attributes that allow everything from Intracoastal cruising to globe-trotting expeditions.

The following passagemaking vessels were introduced in the past year and are 60 feet in length or smaller, able to suit many types of dreams.

Fast Trawlers

Traditional trawlers sport full-displacement hulls that are tremendously seakindly with extensive range, but limited to top speeds around 12 knots. During the past 10 to 15 years, builders have introduced semidisplacement models with top speeds of 20 knots and more. These boats have less range and are better suited to coastal environments.

For folks who cruise closer to the beach, or who can pick ideal weather windows for longer passages, these vessels provide a nice balance among performance, range and seaworthiness.

Grand Banks 60 Skylounge

Built on the Grand Banks 60 hull that was launched at the Newport International Boat Show last year, the Grand Banks 60 Skylounge has a fully enclosed, climate-controlled flybridge. Inside the protected area are a pair of Stidd captain’s chairs and an L-shaped lounge set around a teak table. Tender stowage is farther aft.

Standard on the Skylounge model is a pair of 900-hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels with conventional shafts and propellers, which Grand Banks projects will provide a top speed of 31 knots and a cruise in the mid-20-knot range. Range increases to 2,000 miles with the throttle pulled back to 10 knots.

The standard layout has three-staterooms with two head/shower compartments. Two staterooms have queen-size island berths, while a starboard guest stateroom has a single berth. The main saloon’s floorplan is open, and the galley is aft.

LOA: 65 feet, 4 inches • BEAM: 19 feet, 2 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 61,370 pounds • DRAFT: 4 feet, 7 inches • HULL TYPE: semi-displacement • POWER: twin 900-hp Volvo Penta D13 diesels • SPEED: 31 knots top, 25 knots cruise • TANKAGE: 1,530 gallons fuel, 300 gallons water, 80 gallons holding • PRICE: $3.75 million • CONTACT: Grand Banks Yachts, Holland, Michigan, (877) 291-4220. grandbanks.com

Selene 59 Ocean Clipper

Largely known for its oceangoing, full-displacement trawlers, Selene Yachts is making a bit of a departure with its 59 Ocean Clipper. Built on a semi-displacement hull with up to twin 715-hp Cummins diesels, the boat has a top speed of 20 knots and cruises in the high teens.

The 59 Ocean Clipper has a three-stateroom layout. The master is amidships beneath the main saloon sole, and the VIP stateroom is in the bow with an island berth. There are two head/shower compartments: one split arrangement in the master stateroom, and a shared compartment just off the VIP.

The flybridge runs nearly half the length of the boat and has a small galley, an L-shaped lounge/dinette and tender stowage. On the foredeck, where most trawlers have empty deck space, is a seating area with bench seat, table and chaise lounges.

LOA: 63 feet, 3 inches • BEAM: 17 feet, 7 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 99,180 pounds • DRAFT: 4 feet, 1 inch • HULL TYPE: semi-displacement • POWER: twin 715-hp Cummins QSM11 diesels • SPEED: 20 knots top, 18 knots cruise • TANKAGE: 900 gallons fuel, 300 gallons water • PRICE: $1.9 million • CONTACT: Jet Tern Marine Co., Zhuhai City, China, +86 756-772-5339. seleneoceanyachts.com

Minorca Islander 42 Flybridge

Spanish builder Minorca, (who previously built under the Menorquin name), creates curvacious semi-displacement yachts based on fishing vessels indigenous to the Mediterranean. Sculpted with softer lines and more modern styling, the Islander 42 Flybridge is the latest model to arrive in the United States.

The Island 42 Flybridge still has the rounded stern, exaggerated bow flare and distinctive bow ornament that its predecessors have sported, but the rest of the boat is new. Two- and three-stateroom configurations are available, each with a pair of enclosed head/shower compartments.

Inboard power is provided by a pair of 350-hp Cummins diesels. The setup is good for a 25-knot top end and an efficient cruise of 18 knots. The hull’s wide bow flare and exaggerated sheer provide a dry ride and copious freeboard makes the exterior spaces on the 42 feel safe and secure.

LOA: 43 feet, 5 inches • BEAM: 13 feet, 1 inch • DISPLACEMENT: 22,516 pounds • DRAFT: 3 feet, 7 inches • HULL TYPE: semi-displacement • POWER: twin 350-hp Cummins diesels • SPEED: 25 knots top, 18 knots cruise • TANKAGE: 317 gallons fuel, 132 gallons water, 60 gallons waste • PRICE: $697,040 • CONTACT: SYS International Yacht Sales, Sarasota, Florida, (941) 365-9095. minorcayachts.com

Nordhavn 59 Coastal Pilot

Anyone who follows Nordhavn knows that the company’s name was built on rugged, full displacement yachts that cross oceans and circle the globe. They’ve expanded their line a lot over the years, stretching it from a 35 Coastal Pilot to a 120 foot super-yacht. The 59 Coastal Pilot, built atop a semi-displacement hull and aimed at coastal cruising, has styling more along the lines of a salty motoryacht than a globe-trotting passagemaker. Angled edges and hard design elements are shed in favor of round portlights, curved windows and softer overall lines — but the Coastal Pilot 59 still looks as if she means business.

Below are an amidships master stateroom, a port guest stateroom and a forward VIP. There are two head/shower compartments: one ensuite for the master, the other shared. A few steps up is the open-concept main saloon, which has a large galley for a boat this size.

A pair of 715-hp Cummins QSM11 diesels are capable of pushing the 59 Coastal Pilot at speeds up to 22 knots. The boat can cruise at 18 to 20 knots, or cruise more economically at 8 to 12 knots.

LOA: 58 feet, 9 inches • BEAM: 17 feet • WEIGHT: 82,000 pounds • DRAFT: 4 feet, 2 inches • HULL TYPE: semi-displacement • POWER: twin 715-hp Cummins QSM11 diesels • SPEED: 22 knots top, 18-20 knots fast cruise, 8-12 knots slow cruise • TANKAGE: 1,100 gallons fuel, 444 gallons water, 88 gallons waste • PRICE: $1.85 million • CONTACT: Pacific Asian Enterprises, Dana Point, California, (949) 496-4848. nordhavn.com

Sirena 58

Another fresh entrant to the fast trawler crowd is the Turkish-built Sirena 58 , a stout-looking yacht with a fresh, Mediterranean vibe. The cockpit, flybridge and bow lounge are all designed to emphasize soaking up the sun and taking in your surroundings.

Inside — through the nearly full-width cockpit doors — is the main saloon, which, like the rest of the boat, is accented by light-colored wood and upholstery. Opposing L-shaped lounges are set around an expandable dining/coffee table, a port-side helm and stowage cabinetry. Below is a three-stateroom, three-head layout with an amidships master, a VIP stateroom in the bow and a port guest stateroom with twin berths.

In the engine room is a pair of 650-hp Caterpillar C8.7 diesels. A pair of 850-hp Caterpillar C12.9 diesels is optional. Top speed with base power is 27 knots. The Sirena 58 cruises around 20 knots and has a 10-knot economy cruise.

LOA: 61 feet, 3 inches • BEAM: 17 feet, 7 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 76,279 pounds (full load) • DRAFT: 4 feet, 1 inch • HULL TYPE: semi-displacement • POWER: twin 650-hp Caterpillar C8.7 diesels • SPEED: 27 knots top, 20 knots fast cruise, 10 knots economy cruise • TANKAGE: 950 gallons fuel, 210 gallons water, 120 gallons waste • PRICE: $1.5 million • CONTACT: Sirena Yachts USA, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, (954) 585-6390. sirenayachts.com

Mid-Size Trawlers

Smaller is better, so they say, and plenty of cruising couples would agree. Easier to handle than larger trawlers and tugs, and more frugal on fuel, these boats represent a “sweet spot” in length overall among passagemaking vessels.

Mid-size trawlers are particularly adept at plying coastal waters and can do offshore hops in the right weather.

Beneteau Swift Trawler 35

Brand-new from the keel up as a replacement for the popular Swift Trawler 34, the Swift Trawler 35 builds on the strengths of the previous model while improving utility and comfort.

The single 425-hp Cummins inboard diesel is a familiar friend, good for 20 knots of top end and an expedient cruise in the 10- to 15-knot range. Standard bow and stern thrusters add to the ease of handling. 
Interior accommodations are similar to those on the outgoing model. The main saloon has a sleeper sofa near a removable table. The galley is on the same level to port. The lower helm station is abaft a three-panel windshield and has a sliding door for side-deck access. Below is a two-stateroom configuration with a forward master stateroom, a guest stateroom with twin berths and a shared head/enclosed shower.

LOA: 37 feet • BEAM: 13 feet, 3 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 18,187 pounds • DRAFT: 3 feet, 10 inches • HULL TYPE: semi-displacement • POWER: 425-hp Cummins QSB6.7L diesel • SPEED: 20 knots top, 10 to 15 knots cruise • TANKAGE: 211 gallons fuel, 80 gallons water, 23 gallons waste • PRICE: $387,200 • CONTACT: Beneteau, Annapolis, Maryland, (410) 990-0270. beneteaulife.com

Great Harbour TT35

The Great Harbour TT35 has a slender hull with twin outboard power and an interior that will feel familiar to buyers who have previously owned sailboats. The TT35 is trailerable, too: We’re thinking summer in New England, then skipping the Intracoastal Waterway and adding a ride down Interstate 95 to the Florida Keys for winter.

Designed primarily for a couple intending to cruise coastal and inland waters, the TT35 is powered by a pair of 60-hp Suzuki DF60AV 4-stroke outboards. The engines propel the TT35 to a top end of 22 to 23 knots, and cruise around 7 to 13 knots.

Inside and far forward is the master stateroom, which has a queen-size berth. The rest of the boat is laid out on a single level. The helm is abaft a three-panel windshield to starboard and has side-deck access via a sliding door. Farther aft is a booth-style dinette with companion seating. An enclosed head/shower compartment is situated all the way aft, and the galley is between the head and dinette.

LOA: 35 feet, 8 inches • BEAM: 10 feet, 4 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 6,500 pounds • DRAFT: 1 foot, 3 inches • HULL TYPE: planing • POWER: twin 60-hp Suzuki DF60AV 4-strokes • SPEED: 22-23 knots top, 7 to 13 knots cruise • TANKAGE: 135 gallons fuel, 50 gallons water, 30 gallons waste • PRICE: $239,000 • CONTACT: Mirage Manufacturing, Gainesville, Florida, (352) 377-4146. greatharbourtrawlers.com

American Tug Waypoint 36

With their friendly yet robust good looks, there’s a lot to love about tug-style boats. New from American Tug is the Waypoint 36, a coastal cruiser that doesn’t forget affordability. The boat is based on the hull and deck tooling from American Tug’s 365 model, but offers fewer options for customization.

The interior uses more pre-molded fixtures than the 365 has, but still adds enough wood to create a comfortable and cozy feel. There’s a main saloon/galley space abaft an elevated bridge deck that provides excellent visibility from the helm and has companion/watch seating. Two staterooms are farther forward and down a few steps with a shared head/shower compartment.

A 260-hp Volvo Penta D4 diesel powers the Waypoint 36. The builder publishes a top speed of 15 knots and says most folks will cruise between 7 and 10 knots for best fuel efficiency. A 6-hp Side-Power bow thruster is standard for close-quarters maneuverability.

LOA: 36 feet, 6 inches • BEAM: 13 feet, 3 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 17,000 pounds • DRAFT: 3 feet, 5 inches • HULL TYPE: displacement • POWER: single 260-hp Volvo D4 diesel • SPEED: 15 knots top, 7 to 10 knots cruise • TANKAGE: 230 gallons fuel, 120 gallons water, 45 gallons waste • PRICE: $350,000 • CONTACT: American Tug, LaConner, Washington. (360) 466-9277. americantugs.com

Traditional Trawlers

If you like the rugged good looks and seakeeping abilities of a traditional trawler, you’ve come to the right place. These vessels are designed around the “slow and steady wins the race” mantra, and designed for maximum fuel efficiency.

Krogen 50 Open

Though it has the same ocean-crossing DNA as the rest of the Kadey-Krogen fleet, the Krogen 50 Open is different. Inside is an open-concept layout that connects the main saloon, galley and bridge deck, creating a light and airy living space.

Despite the new design language inside, this boat is still every bit a Kadey-Krogen. Oversized hardware and polished metals accent the rich cherry interior, which is offset by light-colored galley counters and upholstery. You can stand at the after end of the main saloon and see clear through to the bridge deck. Below are two staterooms and two enclosed head/showers. A three-stateroom layout is available.

The 50 Open can be configured with a single 230-hp John Deere diesel or with twin 125-hp John Deere diesels for redundancy. Top speed with the single engine is 9.4 knots. The 230-hp diesel is most efficient at 8 knots. Back down to 6 knots, and she has a 5,000-mile range.

LOA: 52 feet, 9 inches • BEAM: 17 feet, 5 inches • DISPLACEMENT: 68,000 pounds (half load) • DRAFT: 5 feet, 4 inches (single engine); 4 feet, 6 inches (twin engines) • HULL TYPE: displacement • POWER: single 230-hp John Deere 6068AFM85 diesel or twin 125-hp John Deere 4045TFM85 diesels • SPEED: 9.4 knots top, 8 knots cruise • TANKAGE: 1,240 gallons fuel, 400 gallons water, 140 gallons waste • PRICE: $1.55 million • CONTACT: Kadey-Krogen Yachts, Stuart, Florida, (772) 286-0171. kadeykrogen.com

North Pacific 44 Sedan

The North Pacific 44 Sedan joined the builder’s fleet late last year. She’s got big shoulders and a wide stance, but maintains a touch of elegance in her lines.

Fairly straightforward below, the North Pacific 44 Sedan’s interior layout centers around two staterooms with two enclosed head/showers. There’s a queen-size island berth forward with stowage for more than a week aboard, and a guest stateroom abaft it with twin berths. Above the sleeping accommodations is the main saloon, which has a galley, the helm, lounge chairs and an L-shaped settee around a folding teak table.

Exterior spaces include a roomy cockpit, a well-protected flybridge and a foredeck for lounging.

She’s outfitted with a single 355-hp Cummins diesel inboard that pushes the full-displacement hull up to 11.5 knots, and cruises in the 7- to 10-knot range. Those looking for additional speed can opt for higher horsepower engines.

LOA: 45 feet, 10 inches • BEAM: 13 feet, 8 inches • WEIGHT: 34,000 pounds • DRAFT: 4 feet, 6 inches • HULL TYPE: displacement • POWER: single 355-hp Cummins QSB diesel • SPEED: 11.5 knots top, 7 to 10 knots cruise • TANKAGE: 400 gallons fuel, 300 gallons water, 50 gallons waste • PRICE: $675,000 • CONTACT: North Pacific Yachts, Vancouver, British Columbia, (877) 564-9989. northpacificyachts.com

Go Farther: Nordhavn 100

Pacific Asian Enterprises in June announced the launch of the Nordhavn 100, the second-largest model in the builder’s history. The model is based on Nordhavn’s 86- and 96-foot hulls and has a range of 3,000 nautical miles. Named Serenity, hull number one has an aft cockpit that was custom designed for its new owner, who is an avid bluewater angler.

Inside, Serenity has a five-stateroom layout with separate quarters for crew. Each stateroom has an ensuite head. Destry Darr Designs created an interior with walnut wood, stainless steel inlays, Lutron lighting, and stone work. The medium-dark wood sets off a neutral color scheme of gray, cream and brown, and allows artwork throughout the yacht to stand out.

A pair of 600-hp Caterpillar C18 diesels provide power. Serenity can travel at a top speed of 12.5 knots, or sip diesel efficiently at 10 knots. At press time she was plying the waters of Baja, Mexico, on a shakedown cruise with her owner.

LOA: 101 feet • BEAM: 24 feet • DISPLACEMENT: 400,000 pounds • DRAFT: 8 feet, 2 inches • HULL TYPE: displacement • POWER: twin 600-hp Caterpillar C18 diesels • SPEED: 12.5 knots top, 10 knots cruise • TANKAGE: 7,000 gallons fuel, 900 gallons water, 200 gallons waste • PRICE: $10.5 million • CONTACT: Pacific Asian Enterprises, Dana Point, California, (949) 496-4848. nordhavn.com

This article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue.