Multihulls World n° SP25

Issue #: SP25

Published: December / January 2026

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Are Trawlers Making a Comeback?

During my visit to the “Occasions du Multicoques et du Refit” [the Multihull and Refit Show] an event that, in addition to celebrating its tenth anniversary, managed to bring together 40 boats - I was drawn to the least expensive multihull at the show: a 2004 Maryland 37 that struck me as surprisingly modern. The first words from its owner, Jacques, were: “It’s a trawler first and foremost. Forget about speed, you pay attention to fuel consumption and you enjoy the sea, that’s what it’s all about!” I won’t dwell on Jacques’ attachment to his powercat, which he has been pampering for over 20 years, or on the central helm station not dissimilar to an airplane cockpit - that will be for a future article dedicated to the second-hand market - but rather on the concept of the trawler: this was well accepted until the early 2000s, when it was suddenly set aside by all the boatbuilders. Our customers insist on being able to cruise at over 20 knots, all the marketing managers claimed. Except that the idea of slow life has come along in the meantime... For some, electric motors and enjoying inland waterways are leading boaters to new expectations, such as having a living platform capable of traveling far, but not necessarily fast.

The powercats offered by Bader.cruising are perfect examples of today’s new trawlers that could become the norm tomorrow. Other signs? The three multipowers in the new M range from Prestige Yachts do not exceed 20 knots. Aventura Yachts is preparing to launch a trawler directly derived from its37 sailboat. We will certainly continue to regret the disappearance of the Lagoon 40PC, the trawler that came out 10 years too early and of which only 14 were sold between June 2015 and April 2017 - yes, you read that right, just fourteen examples! This powercat, with its two 70 HP motors and a top speed of 11 knots, would undoubtedly be a big hit today...

Happy reading – and happy viewing!

Emmanuel van Deth
Editor-in-Chief