March 13th, 2016

The Survey Says...

Last month, we asked the Great Harbour family to share their thoughts and opinions on the new TT 35 trailerable trawler project. So far, more than 200 people have participated in our on-line survey, providing valuable feedback on preferences and use, along with some really good advice. We're taking all this to heart as we proceed with the build, and are already looking at some design refinements generated by this “crowd sourcing” exercise. For those who are curious, here's a preliminary summary of the results.

• We designed this boat for efficient cruising in the 12 to 14 knot range with smaller outboards, and two thirds of all respondents were of the same mind, predicting they would operate in the 10 to 14 knot range most of the time. A few folks seemed fine with the 8-knot speeds of a traditional trawler, and running at this speed would dramatically increase range. At the other end of the spectrum, about 10 percent of those asked wanted speeds closer to 20 knots. This may be possible with larger outboards, but we have set 20 knots as the upper limit of the suggested operating range.
• The-full cockpit roof planned for the TT allows for easy attachment of enclosures. More than half of all respondents favored a full weather enclosure, while another 25 percent wanted screening. Based on this popularity, we'll be sure to configure the roof and cockpit for easy attachment of an enclosure.
• The full-sized shower carried the day by a landslide, as did the choice of a queen berth forward. That said, the V-berth option may not be out of the question on future builds, but the first boats will go out with the queen berths and  will include premium bedding rather than the glorified boat cushions found on too many v-berths.
• There was an almost even split between a lounge or dinette in the saloon. Fortunately, that's not a mutually exclusive design choice, as we can build either into the same space. Another split decision was between conventional electronics and a tablet-based system. Again, that's an option that could go either way with equal ease.
• Holding tanks won out three-to-one over a composting system. We'll know more about how the latter performs after some personal trials. If we feel the compositing option is viable, we can sub it in. Otherwise, look for the same reliable VacuFlush system found on our other trawlers.
• Nearly 90 percent of you are interested in adding solar. With the large, flat roof of the TT, creating a significant solar array should not be an issue. Right now, we are building personal experience on marine and RV-based solar arrays that integrate seamlessly into both both shore power and onboard power systems. By the time the TT is finished, we should have some good real-world solutions for onboard solar.
• When it comes to moving the boat, about half of you plan on seasonal moves. This falls nicely in line with our design criteria, which is to create a true live-aboard cruiser that can be ramp-launched and moved overland by trailer at significantly lower cost than a traditional trawler. A majority of owners want to do the hauling themselves, and with the right tow vehicle and some standard over-wide permits, that is certainly possible. We do predict, however, that owners who only plan to move the boat once or twice a year may discover that a towing service provides a convenience and relatively low cost option.

Finally, and most inspiring, were the places everyone planned on cruising aboard a TT. Not surprisingly, the top three destinations were the Great Lakes, Bahamas and Inside Passage. Maine, Cuba, Florida and the Sea of Cortez also came in strong on the bucket lists, but most interesting were the two-dozen other destinations that popped up—everywhere from Lake Powell and the Tennessee River to the east coast of Canada and the Caribbean. More than 10 percent also included Europe in the mix. That's an option we are personally excited about exploring. The cost of getting the TT across the pond is less than we initially expected, as it can be trailered aboard a “RORO” cargo ship for far less than the cost of deck-loading a traditional yacht. So who's ready to celebrate Bastille Day on the French Canals, or hoist a stein on the Berlin waterfront during Octoberfest?