More on the Great Harbour TT35

** All information shown copied with permission from Great Harbour Trawlers website: www.greatharbourtrawlers.com

SPECIFICATIONS                 

LOA:  35'8"                            

Interior Features (artist concept) 

LWL :  34' 1"
Beam :  10'4"
Draft:  16" 
Displacement: 6,500 lbs.
Fuel:  150 gallons
Power:  Twin 60 to 115  hp
  outboards
Cruising Speed: 8-16 knots
Range:  400 - 800 nm

"The TT 35 will expand your cruising horizons without cramping your style. Leading-edge composite materials make it light and strong; an easily-driven hull form provides an unprecedented combination of speed and efficiency. Inside, you will find adult-sized living spaces and home-like amenities rather than RV accessories and tight quarters common to “pocket cruisers.” Couples can enjoy a true queen island berth in a private stateroom, a full-featured galley and a spacious head.  The saloon provides additional guest accommodations, and a removable weather enclosure  turns the cockpit into an additional stateroom if needed. Modern four-stroke outboards deliver reliable redundancy, leaving the interior free of mechanical noise and odors, while also freeing up hull space for storage. The TT's shallow draft opens anchorages and waterways that deep-draft skippers can only dream of, yet it is equally at home in blue water, and has sufficient range to cruise the Caribbean or explore the Inside Passage. The boat can be rack stored, easily ramp-launched and towed by a pickup or full-sized SUV. Spend the winter down south, then transition to your favorite northern cruising grounds in a matter of days rather than months. The ability to easily launch and retrieve the TT will significantly reduce maintenance, moorage and insurance costs, and systems such as power generation and climate control can be configured to function on land as well as sea, allowing the TT to become a “boater home” during overland journeys. Work is currently underway on the first run of TT production models, with completion slated for early 2017."  

Boat for the Loop

As I began to think about making The Great Loop cruise and after reading about "lessons learned" from other "Loopers" it became apparent our current boat was not the boat we needed. Our current boat is powered by Twin Mercury 250 HP Verado engines whose miles per gallon numbers are too low for long range cruising. We needed a boat that was economical to operate, cruised at 8-10 mph, can be crewed by one and comfortable. Major concern was the new boat had to fit our budget.

We found the answer in Gainesville, Florida. A company named Great Harbour Trawlers/Mirage Manufacturing was building a prototype 35' trawler that appeared to meet all our criteria. After a visit with the company CEO, the Sales Manager and reviewing design specifications we were confident the TT35 was our answer.

(artist concept)

 

     
http://www.greatharbourtrawlers.com/tt35-test-report.html

Great Loop Crew

Picture from Capt. John book

                                                 Skipper and First Mate
     At the present we are not sure if the exact role of these two daring adventurers. We have been together for six years and have shared life as only a few can fully understand. Together we have managed storms, climbed mountains, shared each day with anticipation of the great blessing God gave us from the day we met. Now just the two of us will be 6-10 months sharing many sunrises, sunsets as we cruise The  Great Loop. 
                                    

                                                      

Tomorrow off to Gainesville to see the construction progress on the new Spirit Song.

Plan to have photos of the hull available on the next post.

What is The Great Loop

The Great Loop

"It's more than a 5,600 mile boat ride"

"Cruising the Loop is a voyage through America's history. From the Statute of Liberty, the locks of the Erie Canal, across the Great Lakes, into the Heartland of America, to the Gulf of Mexico before reaching our home port."  Capt. John- "America's Great Loop & Beyond" 

 The Loop is known as a seasonal cruise. "Loopers" need to head north up the East Coast in the spring, cross the Great Lakes in the summer and arrive in the Gulf of Mexico before the Atlantic hurricane season. 

Preparation for our adventure has been focused on research and reading many articles written by "Loopers" who have previously made the trip. From the  recommended departure dates, the boat you should have, where to stop, places to stop and eat and much more opinions vary. All are beneficial but expect Lincoln and I will have our great days and challenging days despite planning everything.

Stay tuned as we provide more information prior to shoving off. 

Details on the new Spirit Song will be posted soon.