Trawler Boats: Understanding Their Unique Design And Purpose

Trawlers are a type of boat that are generally associated with fishing. The term trawler refers to a boat that uses large fishing nets, known as trawls, which are dragged through the water to catch fish. Trawlers can be small open boats or large factory ships and are designed to operate in different conditions, from the rough waters of the North Sea to the large fishing grounds in the Atlantic Ocean. Today, trawlers have also become popular for recreational use, with trawler yachts offering comfort and luxury for long-distance cruising and living aboard.

Fishing trawlers

A fishing trawler is a commercial fishing vessel designed to operate fishing trawls. Trawling is a method of fishing that involves actively dragging or pulling a trawl through the water behind one or more trawlers. Trawls are fishing nets that are pulled along the bottom of the sea or in midwater at a specified depth.

The modern fishing trawler was developed in the 19th century at the English fishing port of Brixham. By the early 19th century, the fishermen at Brixham needed to expand their fishing area further than ever before due to the ongoing depletion of stocks in the overfished waters of South Devon. The Brixham trawler was of a sleek build and had a tall gaff rig, which gave the vessel sufficient speed to make long-distance trips out to the fishing grounds in the ocean. They were also sufficiently robust to be able to tow large trawls in deep water.

The first purpose-built fishing vessels were designed and made by David Allan in Leith in March 1875, when he converted a drifter to steam power. In 1877, he built the first screw-propelled steam trawler in the world. This vessel was Pioneer LH854.

Trawlers can be classified by their architecture, the type of fish they catch, the fishing method used, or geographical origin. The classification used below follows the FAO, who classify trawlers by the gear they use.

Outrigger Trawlers

Outrigger trawlers use outriggers, or booms, to tow the trawl. These outriggers are usually fastened to, or at the foot of the mast and extend out over the sides of the vessel during fishing operations. Each side can deploy a twin trawl or a single otter trawl. Outrigger trawlers may have the superstructure forward or aft. Warp winches with capstans are installed on the deck to haul the catch.

Beam Trawlers

Beam trawlers are a type of outrigger trawler, with the superstructure aft and the working deck amidships. They use a very strong outrigger boom on each side, each towing a beam trawl, with the warps going through blocks at the end of the boom. This arrangement makes it easier to stow and handle the large beams. The outriggers are controlled from a midship A-frame or mast. The towing winch is forward of the superstructure, with the towing warps passed through deck bollards and then out to the towing blocks on the booms.

Otter Trawlers

Otter trawlers deploy one or more parallel trawls kept apart horizontally using otter boards. These trawls can be towed in midwater or along the bottom. Otter trawlers range in size from sailing canoes to supertrawlers. Otter trawlers usually have two gallows at the stern with towing blocks. The towing warps run through these, each regulated by its own winch. Medium and large trawlers usually have a stern ramp for hauling the trawl onto the deck.

Pair Trawlers

Pair trawlers are trawlers which operate together towing a single trawl. They keep the trawl open horizontally by keeping their distance when towing. Otter boards are not used. Pair trawlers operate both midwater and bottom trawls. The superstructure is forward or midships and the working deck aft. Pelagic trawlers can have fish pumps to empty the codend.

Side Trawlers

Side trawlers have the trawl deployed over the side with the trawl warps passing through blocks suspended from a forward gallow and an aft gallow. Usually, the superstructure is towards the stern, the fish hold amidships, and the transversal trawl winch forward of the superstructure. A derrick may be boom-rigged to the foremast to help shoot the cod end from the side.

Stern Trawlers

Stern trawlers have trawls which are deployed and retrieved from the stern. Larger stern trawlers often have a ramp, though pelagic and small stern trawlers are often designed without a ramp. Stern trawlers are designed to operate in most weather conditions. They can work alone when midwater or bottom trawling, or two can work together as pair trawlers. The superstructure is forward with an aft working deck. At the stern are gallows or a gantry for operating otter boards.

Recreational trawlers/trawler yachts/trawler boats

Recreational trawlers, also known as trawler yachts or trawler boats, are vessels that are commonly used for overnight cruising and day cruising. They are inspired by the design of commercial fishing vessels, combining a traditional exterior with a spacious and comfortable interior. Trawler yachts are perfect for those who enjoy cruising across blue waters, spending extended periods on board, or exploring remote beaches and coves.

Trawler boats typically have a rich legacy and are sought-after due to their larger draft and wide beam, which provide ample space for accommodating guests and crew. They can range in size, with an average length of 43 feet, and can be powered by various propulsion systems, including inboard, outboard, inboard/outboard, and electric motors. The engine setup can be single or twin engines, depending on the owner's preference for speed and security.

The interior of a trawler yacht is designed to offer a home-like experience, featuring full-size galley appliances, multiple heads, and staterooms. The exterior maintains a traditional design, often with a salty look reminiscent of commercial fishing vessels. The hull form is typically full displacement, semi-displacement, or one of the other types: deep vee, modified vee, or catamaran.

Trawler yachts are known for their long-distance capabilities, with fuel-efficient models made for bluewater cruising. They are equipped with large fuel and holding tanks, advanced navigation and communication systems, and various optional features for added comfort and stability during offshore voyages.

Some of the top trawler yachts on the market include models from renowned manufacturers such as Beneteau, Grand Banks, Ranger Tugs, Nordhavn, and Custom. These yachts offer different customization options, ranging from single-engine setups to twin-engine configurations, and provide ample space for extended cruising, with comfortable staterooms and galleys.

Naval trawlers

Fishing trawlers were suitable for conversion to naval vessels because they were robust, designed to work in all weather conditions, and had large, clear working decks. They could be adapted for a range of military purposes, including minesweeping, anti-submarine warfare, and coastal defence. For example, a minesweeper could be created by replacing the fishing trawl with a mine sweep, adding depth charge racks, sonar, and guns.

The use of naval trawlers allowed nations to quickly convert civilian assets into military ones. Local fishermen were familiar with the waters around their countries and could operate the trawlers effectively without further instruction. During peacetime, the Royal Navy maintained a small inventory of trawlers, but requisitioned much larger numbers during wartime. The larger and newer trawlers were often converted for anti-submarine warfare, while the older and smaller ones were used as minesweepers.

During World War I, the Royal Navy operated 627 "Admiralty Trawlers" that were purpose-built, purchased, or acquired as prizes. An additional 1,456 trawlers were hired and operated by the Auxiliary Patrol. During World War II, the Royal Navy requisitioned civilian trawlers and converted them into anti-submarine vessels and minesweepers.

History of trawlers

Trawlers are commercial fishing vessels designed to drag large nets, or trawls, through the water to catch fish. Trawling is thought to have started in the 14th century, with the first trawlers being designed in the UK.

Early History

As early as 1376, there were objections to trawling in the UK, with a petition to the British Parliament to ban fishermen from using a new device called the wondyrchoum, a type of beam trawl. The objections were upheld, and the method was banned. Despite this, many fishermen continued to use the device, and over the next few centuries, trawling began to develop and evolve.

17th Century: The Dogger

In the 17th century, the Dogger was developed and is widely recognised as the precursor to the modern fishing trawler. The name comes from the Dutch word for codfish, and it was commonly used for fishing in the rough conditions of the North Sea. Doggers were slow but sturdy vessels.

19th Century: The Brixham Trawler

By the early 19th century, fishermen in Brixham, a fishing port in South Devon, needed to expand their fishing area as local stocks were becoming depleted. The Brixham trawler was sleek and had a tall gaff rig, giving it sufficient speed and power to make long-distance trips and tow large trawls in deep water. This revolutionary design made large-scale trawling in the ocean possible for the first time. As a result, there was a substantial migration of fishermen from the ports in the south of England to villages in the north with access to the large fishing grounds in the Atlantic Ocean, such as Scarborough, Hull, Grimsby, Harwich and Yarmouth.

The elegant Brixham trawler spread across the world, influencing fishing fleets everywhere. By the end of the 19th century, there were over 3,000 fishing trawlers in Britain, with almost 1,000 in Grimsby alone.

Steam Power

The earliest steam-powered fishing boats appeared in the 1870s and used both the trawl system and lines and drift nets. These boats were large, usually 80-90 feet in length, and weighed 40-50 tons. They were designed and made by David Allan in Leith, who built the world's first screw-propelled steam trawler, the Pioneer LH854, in 1877. Steam trawlers had many advantages, including increased speed, freedom from weather conditions, and more space for nets and fresh catches.

20th Century and Beyond

Trawler designs continued to adapt and change with advancements in technology. Timber boats were replaced by steel-hulled vessels, sails by coal-fired engines, and turbine engines became more popular by the end of World War II. The first purpose-built stern trawler, the Fairtry, was built in 1953 and could lift out a much greater haul of up to 60 tons, leading to the era of the 'super trawler'.

Today, modern trawlers are usually decked vessels designed for robustness, equipped with electronic navigation and sonar systems, and mechanised hauling devices.

Trawler features and capabilities

Trawlers are boats with large cabins designed for extended stays at sea and long voyages. They are often used for pleasure and cruising, resembling fishing trawlers in appearance. Trawlers typically have a displacement hull for load-carrying capacity, a large engine room, and a large fuel capacity. They usually have a single engine but twin-engine installations are also available. Their fuel range is normally 1,500–3,000 miles on smaller vessels and even greater for those over 45 ft (14 m) in length.

Trawlers are most often offered in lengths ranging from 35 to 60 feet (11 to 18 m) or more. They are built for long-term cruising to regional and worldwide destinations and can accommodate between 2 and 8 persons for many days. They are designed to be self-sufficient and have the necessary equipment to monitor weather conditions and any TV station. They also have superior anchoring gear and large water tankage.

Trawlers have large galleys, with more cooking and refrigeration space than other types of boats of a similar size. They also usually have at least one private stateroom, a full galley, an enclosed head, and a saloon. Some have open cockpits aft, while others may have an aft cabin occupying the stern.

A popular feature is a "Portuguese bridge", which consists of a walkway behind the foredeck, in front of and to the sides of the pilothouse windows. It provides a semi-sheltered area outside the pilothouse, a "safe area" or handhold when necessary, and additional storage space.

Modern trawlers are usually decked vessels designed for robustness, with motorised winches, electronic navigation, and sonar systems. They make extensive use of contemporary electronics, including navigation and communication equipment, fish detection devices, and equipment to control and monitor gear.

Trawlers can be classified by their architecture, the type of fish they catch, the fishing method used, or their geographical origin. Examples include outrigger trawlers, beam trawlers, otter trawlers, pair trawlers, side trawlers, and stern trawlers.

The biggest advantage of a trawler is the combination of long range and comfortable accommodations, making them popular among long-distance cruisers. However, the biggest downside is the lack of speed, as they are designed to burn as little fuel as possible.

Frequently asked questions