North Pacific Tale of a New Boater
About this archived account We preserved this unedited dispatch from the owners of hull 4516, PLOT TWIST, a North Pacific 45 delivered in 2021. The narrative records their initial two seasons aboard, a planned third summer in the Canadian Gulf Islands, and Desolation Sound as a later goal. Any future-tense projections reflect the crew’s intentions […]
Original North Pacific, by Robin Oliveira
About this archived account We maintain this original entry by Robin Oliveira (Copyright Robin Oliveira) to preserve an authentic owner perspective from our archives. In this reflection, Oliveira connects regional maritime history with contemporary cruising, noting how an 1800s steam sidewheeler shares a name with, but remains completely distinct from, our modern line. The narrative […]
Can Trawlers Cross Oceans? Evaluating Route, Vessel, and Crew Feasibility
Yes, some recreational trawlers can cross oceans. Whether a particular boat can make a particular crossing depends on its design, condition, endurance, equipment, and crew—not the trawler label. A yacht built for long-range coastal travel and a yacht intended for unsupported ocean passages may address different priorities. Appearance alone cannot establish the difference. Start with […]
Are Trawlers Good Boats? Matching Hull, Layout, and Reality to Your Cruising Plans
A recreational trawler can be a good boat when its actual performance, layout, and operating demands fit your cruising plans. The question is whether a particular yacht meets your needs—not whether the category guarantees comfort, economy, or safe handling. The word “trawler” is a broad marketing term, not a universal engineering standard. In today’s recreational […]
Are Pilot Boats Unsinkable? Watertight Integrity, Flotation, and Design Limits
Pilot boats cannot be assumed unsinkable. The name describes their pilot-transfer work, not a guarantee against sinking. Watertight subdivision, closures and other measures can reduce flooding risk, but their effectiveness depends on the particular design, condition and damage scenario. How Pilot Boats Reduce Flooding Risk Compartmentation and Integrity Watertight subdivision limits the paths through which […]
What is the Difference Between a Pilothouse and a Wheelhouse?
In modern boatbuilding and brokerage listings, the terms wheelhouse and pilothouse are essentially synonymous. Standard English dictionaries, including Collins, define a wheelhouse quite simply: an enclosed structure or room on a ship or boat where the steering wheel and controls are housed—in other words, a pilothouse. While commercial mariners, naval architects, and individual builders sometimes […]
Why are Sailboats Called Yachts?
Sailboats are called yachts because “sailboat” defines how a vessel is propelled, while “yacht” defines how it is used. A sailboat relies on sails and wind to move through the water. A yacht, by contrast, is a recreational watercraft, including vessels used for sport or leisure. Under this distinction, a 40-foot racing sloop, a weekend […]
Why Is It Called a Trawler? From Fishing Gear to Cruising Yachts
Learn how the trawler name moved from commercial fishing vessels to recreational cruising yachts, and what the term can and cannot tell you today.
What Makes a Yacht a Trawler?
Learn which hull, operating, machinery, accommodation, and storage traits commonly define a trawler yacht, where designs differ, and what to verify.