GMS
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2017
- Messages
- 63
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Blue Whale
- Vessel Make
- 2001 56 DeFever
We are under contract to purchase a twin engine trawler (56’ DeFever) and we had an interesting experience during our sea trial.
During close quarter maneuvering the captain (long time owner) was using a great deal of rudder positioning in addition to the twin engines (and still seemed to have significant difficulty controlling the boat). It was a fairly windy day (like 12-15 kts), but regardless we were still surprised by the apparent lack of maneuverability.
We are coming from a Meridian 490, so a MUCH lighter boat, but one that does get pushed around in the wind. On our current boat, even in worse conditions, I would have full control on engines alone. Are my expectations that this DeFever would be similar unrealistic?
The owner mentioned that the boat has oversized stabilizers (12 sqft) and a 4ft hull extension, which he attributes some of the maneuvering characteristics to those modifications, certainly believable, but still seems like the boat should be capable of maneuvering on engines alone.
Definitely would expect a heavy boat to be slower to react, but didn’t expect it to not be controllable on engines alone.
Thoughts?
During close quarter maneuvering the captain (long time owner) was using a great deal of rudder positioning in addition to the twin engines (and still seemed to have significant difficulty controlling the boat). It was a fairly windy day (like 12-15 kts), but regardless we were still surprised by the apparent lack of maneuverability.
We are coming from a Meridian 490, so a MUCH lighter boat, but one that does get pushed around in the wind. On our current boat, even in worse conditions, I would have full control on engines alone. Are my expectations that this DeFever would be similar unrealistic?
The owner mentioned that the boat has oversized stabilizers (12 sqft) and a 4ft hull extension, which he attributes some of the maneuvering characteristics to those modifications, certainly believable, but still seems like the boat should be capable of maneuvering on engines alone.
Definitely would expect a heavy boat to be slower to react, but didn’t expect it to not be controllable on engines alone.
Thoughts?