Do Boathouses Have Bathrooms? What Determines If Plumbing Is Feasible

White custom pilothouse trawler yacht by North Pacific Yachts on calm blue water

Yes, some boathouses have bathrooms. Whether a particular boathouse can include one depends on the kind of structure, its approved use, available utilities and local requirements. A restroom in a public boating facility does not establish permission to add plumbing to a private boat-storage shelter. Identifying the Structure: Storage Sheds, Floating Moorage, or Onboard Heads […]

Are Pilot Boats Self-Righting? What Capsize Recovery Really Demands

North Pacific yacht cruising on calm waters with open sky and distant shoreline

Some pilot boats are designed to self-right; the pilot-boat label alone does not establish that capability. Self-righting means recovering to an upright position after capsize. Whether a particular vessel can do that depends on its design, configuration and the conditions covered by its documentation. What Self-Righting Actually Means in Marine Design Capsize recovery and resistance […]

How Big of a Boat Can You Pilot Without a License?

White custom pilothouse trawler yacht by North Pacific Yachts on calm blue water

Vessel length alone does not answer whether someone may take the helm of a boat. Boaters often assume maritime law mirrors road regulations, where a standard passenger car requires one license tier and a heavy commercial truck demands another. In Washington, the Boater Education Card conditions concern the operator’s age and a motor of 15 […]

What is the Difference Between a Cruiser and a Trawler?

North Pacific 43 Pilothouse cruising on calm waters with couple at helm

In the world of recreational boating, cruisers and trawlers are two popular types of vessels, each offering distinct experiences for those drawn to life on the water. While both are designed for comfort and extended journeys, they differ significantly in their purpose, design, and performance. Cruisers often emphasize speed and versatility, catering to those seeking […]

Can You Live on a Trawler? What to Verify Before Moving Aboard

North Pacific custom white pilothouse yacht cruising near marina and forested coastline

Living full-time or seasonally aboard a trawler is an achievable, practical reality, but it succeeds only when your home base, onboard systems, daily habits, and operating budget align. The right trawler can provide the living space and systems for extended time aboard. Translating that potential into a sustainable lifestyle, however, requires treating the vessel as […]

Why Boaters Gravitate Toward Trawlers

North Pacific 43 Pilothouse cruising on calm waters with couple at helm

Recreational cruisers are drawn to trawlers because these boats treat time on the water as a home rather than a high-speed sprint. The appeal centers on living spaces that support daily domestic routines, an unhurried cruising pace, and a purposeful profile. “Trawler” is a broad marketing and recreational category rather than a single naval architectural […]

How Fast is a Trawler?

North Pacific custom white pilothouse yacht cruising near marina and forested coastline

Trawler cruising speeds vary with hull form, engine configuration, and loading; our North Pacific 49 Pilothouse provides one current example at 7 to 10 knots. A displacement trawler might top out below 10 knots regardless of how much throttle you apply, while a semi-displacement design can reach 14 to 20 knots when configured with larger […]

Why Do People Live on Yachts? Motivations, Realities, and Daily Tradeoffs

North Pacific Yacht cruising on calm waters at sunset with mountains in the distance

People move aboard yachts to trade passive square footage for an intentional relationship with their surroundings, routines, and time. Living aboard is not an extended vacation, nor is it an automatic shortcut to low-cost waterfront housing. It is a fundamental operational shift. The lifestyle appeals to those who prefer hands-on involvement with their home systems, […]

Why are Yachts Female?

Luxury trawler yacht cruising on open water with passengers relaxing on deck

Calling a yacht “she” is an act of maritime personification, not a statement of biological gender or a rule governing how a boat must be named. English dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster, specifically account for this tradition under the definition of feminine pronouns, noting that speakers frequently apply them to ships and other vessels. It remains one […]