What Is a Pocket Trawler?
A pocket trawler is essentially a traditional cruising trawler reduced to a size that can be more easily handled, maintained and, importantly, transported by trailer. But simply being a small powerboat doesn’t make a boat a pocket trawler. I use five basic criteria to define one: it should be trailerable, capable of supporting extended living aboard, powered by a single engine, have a keel, and retain the basic appearance and characteristics of a traditional trawler. Those characteristics are also what make pocket trawlers particularly interesting to people considering the Great Loop, because they combine many of the cruising capabilities of a larger trawler with the flexibility and lower operating costs of a much smaller boat.
My definition of a pocket trawler may be narrower than what you’ll find on some boating websites, magazines, and YouTube channels—and that’s intentional. I’m looking at boats from the perspective of someone who has actually restored, built, owned and cruised boats—not simply from a marketing or editorial definition of the category. I’ve spent more than five years living aboard small boats, cruised extensively both in the United States and overseas, and spent more than 30 years restoring and building boats as an amateur. I’ve written a published book and magazine articles about boats and cruising, and the projects documented on Motor City Boat Werks have generated more than 3.5 million views.
Just as importantly, I don’t have sponsors. I’m not being paid by a boatbuilder, equipment manufacturer or marine-product company to convince you that a particular boat belongs in this category. Many boating publications, websites, and channels operate with advertising, sponsorships or other commercial relationships. (That doesn’t automatically make their information wrong, but it is something worth considering.) The five criteria I use to define a pocket trawler come from real-world boat ownership, restoration, and cruising experience.
You can decide for yourself whether that definition makes sense for the way you intend to use a boat.
1. A Pocket Trawler Should Be “Trailerable”
One of the characteristics that separates a pocket trawler from a traditional cruising trawler is trailerability. I generally consider a pocket trawler to be under 30 feet long and weigh less than about 10,000 pounds, allowing it to be transported by trailer rather than requiring the boat to make every trip by water. That capability can dramatically expand where you can cruise. Instead of spending weeks moving a larger trawler from one cruising area to another, a trailerable trawler can potentially be hauled overland and launched much closer to the destination. For someone considering a pocket trawler for the Great Loop, trailerability also provides another option for moving, storing or retrieving the boat during a long-distance cruise.
2. A Pocket Trawler Should Be Capable of Extended Living Aboard
Being small and trailerable isn’t enough to make a boat a pocket trawler. A true pocket trawler should also function as a cruising boat, with enough accommodations to live aboard for an extended period. At a minimum, I look for a galley for preparing meals, a dedicated sleeping area, an enclosed head and a covered helm that protects the operator from the weather. Space will obviously be more limited than aboard a 35- or 40-foot trawler, but the essential cruising functions should still be there. This ability to combine small-boat dimensions with liveaboard accommodations is one reason pocket trawlers can be attractive for couples or solo boaters planning extended coastal cruising or the Great Loop.
3. A Pocket Trawler Typically Has a Single Engine
A single engine is an important part of what makes a pocket trawler practical. One engine means one set of problems to maintain and eventually repair. Two engines mean twice the engines, but they can also mean additional fuel systems, batteries, controls, instrumentation, filters, exhaust components and other supporting equipment—all of which add cost, weight, complexity and take up valuable space on a small boat. Many traditional pocket trawlers use a single diesel engine, which offers excellent fuel economy, durability and efficiency for long-distance cruising. But diesel isn’t the only sensible choice. A modern, fuel-efficient four-stroke outboard can be an equally compelling powerplant for a pocket trawler, particularly because of its simplicity, accessibility and ease of replacement. Depending on the hull design, the boat may not be capable of taking full advantage of the outboard’s available horsepower or speed, but that’s really beside the point. A pocket trawler isn’t primarily about going fast. It’s about having a simple, reliable and economical single-engine propulsion system appropriate for extended cruising.
4. A Pocket Trawler Usually Has a Keel
I also expect a pocket trawler to have a keel, rather than the relatively flat underwater profile found on many small recreational powerboats. The keel is part of the traditional trawler design and can contribute to directional stability while also providing some protection for underwater running gear, depending on the particular hull design. On a small cruising boat that may spend hundreds or thousands of miles traveling rivers, canals, lakes and coastal waters, those characteristics have practical value. Hull designs vary considerably between manufacturers, but for my definition of a pocket trawler, the presence of a keel helps distinguish a small cruising trawler from a conventional cabin cruiser or other trailerable powerboat.
5. A Pocket Trawler Should Look and Function Like a Trawler
Finally, a pocket trawler should actually look and function like a trawler—just on a smaller scale. The category isn’t simply another name for every small cabin cruiser with overnight accommodations. Pocket trawlers generally retain the practical cruising character associated with larger trawlers: a protected helm, usable interior accommodations, efficient propulsion, substantial cruising range for their size and a hull and layout intended for traveling rather than simply spending an afternoon on the water. That’s ultimately what makes the concept appealing. A pocket trawler combines many of the characteristics of a traditional cruising trawler with the lower cost, easier handling and trailerability of a much smaller boat, making the type particularly well suited to owners interested in extended cruising and the Great Loop.
Watch My Pocket Trawler Video
I have no sponsors or commercial relationships with marine manufacturers. My five criteria aren’t based on advertising or marketing. They’re based on real-world experience owning, restoring, building and cruising boats. My definition of a pocket trawler may be narrower than what you’ll find on some boating websites, magazines and YouTube channels—and that’s intentional. It comes from more than 30 years of restoring and building boats, over five years living aboard small boats, and extensive cruising in the United States and overseas. I’ve also published a book and magazine articles on boats and cruising.
Join me FRIDAYS 5pm EST from the Boat Werks
Follow my pocket trawler restoration step-by-step as I rebuild my boat back to something specifically designed to do the Great Loop in my retirement.
Want to Restore a Great Loop Boat?
The MotorCity Boat Werks How-To Library brings together the practical techniques I use for amateur boat building, including fiberglass and composites, Coosa Board construction, mockups and templating, structural fabrication, woodworking, interiors, tools and materials. These videos and articles document the methods, materials and lessons learned from real boat-building projects. Every video is on topic, hands-on, concise and detailed. I show what works, what doesn’t work–real lessons learned from 30 years building boats. My videos are made for the amateur with information presented for the novice builder, competent amateur, or experienced craftsman.
