GA story

We met a guy in the Chesapeake last year who had a Grand Alaskan.  He gave us a tour and Vaughn liked the layout and the three berths.  Its kind of like moving from a split level home to a ranch.  Just different designs.  We looked at the GA 53 And the 60.  We picked the 60 because of more room in the back.  The 53 we liked was bought by our friends when they decided they would become liveaboards.  We plan to cruise the Bahamas together.  Both boats are stabilized too.

They say a bigger boat is easier to maneuver.  But they obviously cost more to operate.

Everything costs more with every foot larger.  Draft is not a huge issue if under 5 ft.

SINGLE VS TWIN is a often discussed topic.  Lots of trawlers have a single engine.  If you went single, get bow thruster!

I do prefer the twin engine diesels.  You have the extra engine in case of any problems....engine, transmission, running gear.

We damaged a prop on the Mississippi and had to limit rpm due to vibration.  With the second engine it did not slow us down.  We lost an engine on the St Johns River, fuel problem, but again made it upriver to Jacksonville on the second.  And crossing the Gulf Stream, it was nice to have the second engine confidence.

I would suggest you have protected props, by a keel that is lower than your props.

You should find a lot of two berth boats.  Look for one that has been actively cruised for a while by the owner.  Talk with them!  Everything should be working and well maintained then.  Look at the maintenance records.  You can upgrade some electronics if needed.  AIS is now recommended, particularly for the winding rivers.

The rear area is particularly nice for docking and locking.  Also can help with access to the boat.  A lot of places use finger piers.

Screens are a plus, for hatches, doors and windows.  Also the exterior covers for windows help block the sun, provide daytime privacy and you can still see out.

There are three support groups you can join.  AGLCA is the looper group, pretty focused on doing the loop.   Then MTOA, the marine trawlers group tends to be the US cruising group.  And the free listserve Trawlers and trawlering, a good old boy network of boaters.  Ill send you some of the daily digests.  And a fourth originated by sailors who now embrace the powerboaters is SSCA.

Are you familiar with ActiveCaptain?  Or Eboatcards?