9 Trawlers Currently Rotting at U.S. Docks (Worth Every Penny of $30,000)

Nine bluewater-capable trawlers are quietly rotting at the back of American boatyards right now, and the reason has almost nothing to do with the boats. These are dirt-cheap old trawlers and liveaboard cruisers, most under $50,000, with overbuilt hand-laid hulls and tractor-simple Ford Lehman and Perkins diesels you can rebuild yourself. Counting down #9 to #1: the Albin 36, Gulfstar 36, Roughwater 35, Marine Trader 40, Willard Vega 30, Mainship 34, Californian 34 LRC, Marine Trader 34 Double Cabin, and the Grand Banks 32 Sedan. Plus the true cost of trawler ownership, the broker commission trick, and the freshwater-versus-saltwater secret. Thinking about a used trawler for retirement or the liveaboard life? Watch this first. Which one would you put in your slip? Drop it in the comments. Prices and listings mentioned were approximate at the time of release and will change. Always check current listings before buying. #trawler #liveaboard #trawlerlife #cheapboats #retirementboat #boating