December Update

We at Northwest Trawlers would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!!

I haven't written much in the past few months as I haven't felt I had anything noteworthy to talk about. The boating industry, as you might imagine, is in a slump. It seems that the recreational boating industry is a good barometer as to the health of the economy. We began to see a slow down about a year ago. I read today that some leading economists now say that we are officially in a recession and that it began last December. Well duh.....they could have asked me that earlier this year and I could have told them that. You probably could have too. Everyone I talk to in the boating business is suffering, many more than we are.

To brighter news......

We are so fortunate to have a great project that is keeping us busy. A Northwest 50 shown below. As you can see, the owner selected the same hull color as Nor'wester but with a Matterhorn white superstructure instead of the standard Oyster color.


This Northwest 50 has the same interior layout as the single stateroom NW45. The difference is all in the cockpit and boat deck. The owner is an avid fisherman so the large cockpit has been designed with that in mind. Complete controls and a very comprehensive electronics package is being installed in cockpit. While not yet in place, the below picture shows where the 4 monitors will be placed on the aft saloon bulkhead. On the console below will be a shifter, jog stick and autopilot control
Also in the cockpit will be a custom barbecue and sink counter. There is either an ice maker or a refrigerator going in one of the cabinets.

Below is a view of the boat deck from above. With the longer deck, there is plenty of room for dinghy, kayaks, bikes, or whatever else you might wish to have up there. This is the original pilothouse/flybridge arrangement as chosen by the buyer.
Below are some more pictures.

This boat should splash some time in mid-December with a completion date in January. We have another hull under construction that has not been sold as yet. If you have any interest in having a Northwest 45, 50, or 55 built, please contact us for a delivery schedule.

"The Path" is the Platform

"The Path", which is Northwest 45, hull #2, served as camera boat for the T2PTV (www.t2p.tv) production of the Governor's Cup Regatta, a 70 mile overnight race from Annapolis to the St. Marys River in Maryland. There were over 150 sailboats entered in the 35th annual running of this event.

An interesting shot of Robert Noyce at the helm with boat owner Patty Arcoleo navigating. T2P TV's Bruce Nairn can be seen in the reflection in the window. I see that Robert had the chips and dip close at hand.

The race had just about everything to offer. Thunderstorms, light air, and even one unfortunate grounding by the entry from the US Naval Academy. (you'd think those guys could navigate better) Here are the "lucky" midshipment out on the boom trying to get enough heel to get off the low spot they got hung up on. Even though they were hung up for 40 minutes, they still managed to finish with "line honors" (first to finish).

Robert is "racing" Donneybrook, here clocked at 10.2 knots going to windward. Donneybrook held the lead for much of the race, but in the end, the USNA midshipmen prevailed.

Here is Donneybrook crossing the line in second place.

Anema & Core finished 3rd in light air and early morning light.

To see complete video highlights of the race, go to http://www.t2p.tv/

Announcing.....Northwest 55

We are excited to announce the addition of the Northwest 55 to our lineup. We asked Steve Seaton to take a look at the existing design look of the Northwest 45 and 50 to see if he could keep the look and come up with a larger boat. Thus the 55 was born. Above is a very initial drawing of the profile with a new style flybridge that will offer great visibility but keep the lines of the boat looking streamlined.

As with all of our models, the NW55 can be tailored to each individual owner's tastes and requirements. Above is just one layout that will provide for 2 spacious staterooms with generous queen sized berths in each. The forward stateroom can be configured with individual bunks if requested.

The galley will truly be a gourmet's galley with incredible storage and a huge pantry area. Granite counters, Sub Zero refrigerator, Viking Range and Fisher Paykel drawer dishwasher are expected to be often chosen options.

The saloon will offer either free standing furniture or built-ins as possibilities. Exotic (sustainable) hardwoods and veneers will make the Northwest 55 a standout in its class.

This is one way to configure the flybridge and boat deck settee area. This arrangement has one helm chair and seating up top for 3 guests. There is an optional beverage cooler so you don't have to go below for refreshments. The settee on the boat deck will be a great entertainment area with the BBQ grill and sink just forward. Preliminary comments by prospective purchasers have been very favorable.

We are planning on making the John Deere 6125 (610hp) the standard engine which should deliver great performance when needed or very efficient cruising at displacement hull speeds. All of the options that we offer on the NW45 and 50 will be offered (sized appropriately) on the 55.

Steve Seaton tells me that we will have 1400 gallons of fuel. At 8 knots this should give the NW55 a range of about 2800 nm. Most people will opt for a watermaker, but there will be tankage for 400 gallons of water. Blackwater and graywater tankage has not been calculated yet, but I anticipate it to be close to 200 gallons.

If you have suggestions, please call or email me. My email address is peter@nwtrawlers.com

We have lots more to share. There is a new flybridge for the NW 45 and 50, but I will save that for another post.