Small 25 foot diesel trawler Gulf Mariner built by independent shipwrights with Yanmar 4jhe engine

[@c39v26]

I'm watching this six years later, it's not boring for me,that boat has redefined what I want in a boating experience! The size, diesel stove,an amazing head room, I'm going to have a great retirement, thanks for not pulling these videos😃

[@topfunguy2281]

I’m always looking at other boats out of curiosity and I have to say that I’ve never seen one that fits my needs in every way like Gulf Mariner.

[@c39v26]

@@topfunguy2281 thanks for taking the time to read and answer my questions and comments!

[@topfunguy2281]

@@c39v26 I’m happy to answer your questions. Thanks.

[@andrewbarten7347]

You Canadians did the North Atlantic in Flower class corvettes back in the day. You're probably dryer, warmer and more comfortable in your pocket cruiser there!

[@greggwoods7173]

These are great videos even 2 years later.. This would be a great boat for down here on the Columbia River in the winter...

[@laserbeam002]

I am seriously thinking about building a boat and this one is absolutely perfect.

[@topfunguy2281]

You should look at the Glen-L Hercules Tug design. It is almost identical. Building a boat is a wonderful experience that seems to be dying out. Years ago it was quite common for amateurs to build boats and have excellent results. Good luck!

[@laserbeam002]

@@topfunguy2281 Yes, I am looking at the Hercules. First will have to build a work area. I have the land space. Just need a building to work in. I may finally decide on a kit build.

[@sckirschstein]

Amazingly clean, well arranged, seaworthy !!! Congrats !!! I enjoy it very much. Thsnks for sharing

[@topfunguy2281]

Thanks for the nice comments Sven .

[@sckirschstein]

Please keep us posted😊

[@sckirschstein]

By the way, the two office chairs are absolutely a great idea. They gives that warm vintage effect. The aluminum doors may help a lot against corrosion. Be careful to not put aluminum in contact with other metals, or you will have devastating galvanic corrosion. Will keep this videos on my email to save them. Cheers

[@topfunguy2281]

@@sckirschstein The office chairs do add to the warm feel of the boat for sure and are surprisingly comfortable on long runs. They also keep people be contained in rough weather. Yes, corrosion is always a consideration. So good so far though. Cheers.

[@themaldivian4115]

Even after 6 years I'm still enjoying ur video

[@topfunguy2281]

Thanks so much. I’ll make more hopefully this summer.

[@philiphebbard]

A great video, Llew. I'm sure could serve quite well as a live-aboard for one person - one not too much into hoarding, that is.

[@SilverCymbal]

Looks like a really great time! Very calming

[@topfunguy2281]

Silver Cymbal Being out on the boat I have no option but to relax. I fire up the engine and untie from the dock and all the big city stresses vanish. It's a good life for sure.

[@divisioneight]

Boating in the rain is actually a favorite to me. Just you and the water and nature. That plus the few mariners out there who deserve to be there working or just enjoying the scenery and solitude.

[@topfunguy2281]

It's a shame to have a boat and then only use it when it's sunny weather. On the Pacific Coast that rules out over half the year for boating. The solitude of boating in the rain when most people stay home is very nice.

[@divisioneight]

Top fun guy When I sailed, I took my 22 footer out into the bay in Autumn many times, when it was just me and the clammers. We'd wave to each other in silent communication to the tune of; "Hi, how was your Summer? Glad to see you out without all the Sunday warriors and nut jobs churning things up.". It was kind of a counter culture to sail amongst those who worked the water, versus just played there. Your little trawler is perfect for a solo skipper like me. Can't find any over here on the east coast unfortunately. Thanks for the videos. They are wonderful and inspire me to get back out there and do the very same thing one day.

[@topfunguy2281]

I'm sure that you'll get out there again. Boats seem to be cheap now and the right boats have a way of popping up at the right time. Most power boaters wouldn't give my boat a second glance but sailors seem to love it.. Who needs to go fast anyway? It's all about time on the water away from the rat race.

[@marcie4844]

Mighty nice. My husband and I are daydreaming about a trawler. Someday perhaps we can get one about the size of the Gulf Mariner so we can enjoy boating in the Pacific Northwest. We had a terrific 28 foot Islander sailboat for about 8 years and took it to the California Delta in the Fall. She was berthed at Point Richmond California which was great for day trips in the San Francisco Bay. Lots to see there with Angel Island, Pier 39 and the Golden Gate Bridge. He'd like to revisit the San Juan Islands and I'd love to see it from a cute little trawler. Thanks for showing us this clip.

[@topfunguy2281]

Sailing in San Francisco Bay sounds wonderful. I’m more of a sailor than a power boater but I think that Gulf Mariner is the perfect sailors motor cruiser. I often get some sailing time with my sailing dinghy when I’m anchored. I still own my little schooner which I’ll be putting back in the water soon.

[@marcie4844]

Top fun guy yes, my husband loves sailing also. We're between boats right now but we'd like to go power next time for many reasons.

[@davidzablow9723]

i had a campion trawler i loved it

[@topfunguy2281]

Mine was great too. They are incredibly roomy for 30 ft and really beautiful to look at I think. If I had one with a diesel I’d probably still have it. It just up being more boat than I needed when I discovered that I was doing most of my boating solo. I’m a bit of a minimalist at heart so the IS25 was perfect for me.

[@AlphaBobFloridaOverlord]

Beautiful trawler! Thanks for sharing!

[@marleyroth63]

I love your videos on Gulf Mariner. I have never been into boats but i would love to spend 12 month around vancouver island on one like yours. Do more videos please, thanks john in the UK

[@topfunguy2281]

John Rothschild Thanks John. I really enjoy my time on Gulf Mariner. As soon as I untie the boat and get underway all the troubles of modern life are forgotten. This is a beautiful part of the world for boating but the UK is fantastic as well, so much history. I hope to make another video soon. Take care.

[@marleyroth63]

Top fun guy what type of licence would i require to do what it is you do. and could i rent a boat for say a couple of months over there...me and a friend are seriously thinking about a visit soon. thanks for any help you could offer me. John

[@topfunguy2281]

John Rothschild Hi John, There are quite a few charter companies around here. If you look here www.boatersbluepages.com/ChartersAndBoatRentals you will see many choices. I have no idea which is best or what the prices are but it is a good place to start. A Canadian boat operators card can be gotten online at www.boaterexam.com/canada/ . It is a fairly easy thing to get. There are so many government marine parks, marinas and anchorages in BC that someone could spend a lifetime cruising and never get bored. The Gulf Islands are amazing and so are the American San Juan Islands. The area is quite protected and the only spots were you really might get rough weather is in Georgia Straight or Juan de Fuca Straight but it's usually fine. If you and your friend do come over, let me know and I can take you out for a day cruise so that you get a good idea of what it's like.

[@marleyroth63]

Top fun guy Thanks for all the info....I shall look into it. Really a real big thanks!! Be sure to let you know if we do visit...keep safe an keep filming :)

[@kccarrtheoregonhillbillyhi4803]

Okay so I'm starting from new. I just found your videos yes I know it's 6 years old but thats how I work. I start from the beginning and watch till the beginning. I want you to know in your first videos I smiled and rolled my eyes when you flip the camera over and it recorded sideways only because I've done that same thing a hundred times...lol... I always Thank people for their nasty comments. and I encourage them to make content of their own so I can judge them.... thank you for your video thank you for sharing I look forward to your next one

[@topfunguy2281]

Thanks for the understanding comments. I was and remain an amateur KZbinr. Have fun watching my videos. Some of them are only moderately more interesting than watching paint dry. I still have this boat and use it very frequently.

[@robbierobinson8887]

Exactly what I’m looking for. I would be under way constantly. I’m 84 and don’t sail these days. Sold my T-37.

[@topfunguy2281]

Hi Robbie. I always say that this is the perfect ex sailors motorboat. It runs at a nice comfortable speed with minimal fuel usage. It’s also a nice size to handle easily as one advances in age. Once I’m fully retired I’ll be out boating all the time.

[@davidzablow9723]

i'm 70 and disabled now... don.t think i could boat now but i ache to be on the water ... i was on lake simcoe in ontario on the trent severn waterway

[@TaylerSpliff]

I had a 4jhae in my steel sailboat. A fantastic motor.

[@Dylan_Miller]

Hey man, I just randomly found your channel and I am really enjoying your videos. Your boat is a beauty. Nothing better than a good old diesel engine. Keep up the great videos!

[@Nostrildomus]

* * * Nice , glad it's been left up . Thanks * * *

[@boatrvme8478]

Still a good vid! I'm looking now for my trailerable trawler.

[@topfunguy2281]

Good luck with the hunt.

[@bulldogsofeastvan5647]

Do you ever wish your boat was a bit faster? I'm loving your boat.

[@topfunguy2281]

I think about it sometimes. To go a knot or two faster I’d need twice as much power and then the fuel consumption would be a consideration. The noise level would probably increase. The bow would ride higher and I would loose my relaxed sitting position. At my cruising speed I have the luxury of being able to look around at the scenery and still have time to react if I see a deadhead. I enjoy my time on the water so I feel no real need to shorten it by going a little faster. When I can fill up the diesel tank for just over a hundred dollars and forget about fuel for ages it a nice feeling.

[@bulldogsofeastvan5647]

@@topfunguy2281 Thank you! I know a lot of people who never leave their Moorage because of costs! I appreciate your honesty. You go everywhere with your boat! I love your videos. Have you run across any commercial IS25 in your travels as I saw that they were made?

[@garygardens]

I'm enjoying your videos, thanks. I'm a long-time sailor who recently converted to power with a small trawler, a Willard Vega Voyager which I'm restoring. So, I've been looking for videos about small trawlers and using them. My boat is in Blaine, WA so we're not that far apart. Maybe we'll meet up on the water someday, I'll keep a lookout for Gulf Mariner. Oh yea, don't fret about getting too old for the boat... I'm 70 this year, still going strong and on my 9th boat (first powerboat) ;-). Regards, Gary

[@topfunguy2281]

Hi Gary, thanks for the nice comment. I'm a sailor myself but my wife isn't so the only way I'll get her out on a boat is if It doesn't have sails. I love the Willard Vegas it's interesting how many cabin configurations they came with. They are a beautiful little trawler that actually looks like a boat. Good luck with your restoration work. If your ever up in the Vancouver area and want to go for a boat ride let me know.

[@garygardens]

Same here, my wife never took to sailing either. Don't know yet on the trawler but time will tell. The thing that sold me on the Willard is that it's basically a sailboat without the rig. It's full displacement, has a full keel and it handles just like a sailboat under power, which I'm already used to. Thanks for the offer of a ride. It's very tempting. I have a good friend in White Rock so I do get up that way fairly often. Regards, Gary

[@topfunguy2281]

I really like the hull of the Willard 30', it should have a nice motion in rough seas with its well balanced ends and ballasted hull. It has a very easily driven shape so it should not take a lot of HP to get it to hull speed. That beautifully shaped stern should be very nice in a following sea. With the full keel and large rudder you shouldn't have to tend to the wheel much either. When I first started exploring trawlers I was really drawn to the Willards but there was nothing around close to my price range but I still look longingly at them even though I am very attached to the boat I have now which will be my retirement boat. Blaine is a great little community. I visit there at least once a month.

[@captjeff6820]

***** Hi Gary....I too have been looking for videos of smaller trawlers and I too am a converted sailor. I was looking at a 30' Willard, but they were a bit out of my price range and very few were taken care of. Watched one die here in SW Fla after I offered $20k for a couple years ( it was only worth about $3k as it was in very very poor condition) but the owner would not take it....so I finally found a 1985 Chris Craft Commander 268 ( very few made). I love this boat as it was in great condition and interior in perfect condition. I am still working on making it into a trawler and have installed a smaller diesel instead of the fuel guzzling 5.7 Mercruisers that were in it. I am leaving for Colorado for a few months and will continue my project when I return. Anyways...hope you enjoy your Willard and hope to see you out there sometime! Capt Jeff

[@garygardens]

Capt Jeff 68 Thanks Jeff. It sounds like you found the perfect boat for yourself. I know you'll enjoy fixing it up as much as using it. There are quite a few Willards here in the Pacific Northwest and most are lovingly cared for. Prices do vary, of course, but tend to hold up quite well. There's a Willard rendezvous this weekend in Anacortes, WA with 27 boats registered and several other owners coming by car. Great fun. If you can find an owners group for your boat it would be well worth joining. All the best... Gary

[@JuanPerez-qe3qn]

Nice. Video I own a 25 boat and o cruise all over Florida...your cruising grounds are very different from mine...thanks again

[@topfunguy2281]

Juan Perez I bet that cruising around Florida is very beautiful too.

[@billy007191]

Hi I'm loving your videos of the boat ! Keep um coming thanks!

[@topfunguy2281]

Thanks. I'll try to make a few move videos soon.

[@Jumpshiptravel]

Such a cool trawler. You mentioned you had a Campion Trawler. We just bought a 300 Campion.

[@topfunguy2281]

Congratulations on the new boat. I had the 310 Campion trawler with the afterbirth. It’s a lot of boat for 30ft. Does yours have the Mercruiser 470 or the Volvo diesel? I’ve even seen one with twin gas engines but they are really rare. I ended up putting almost a thousand pounds of ballast in mine to help deal with the roll in a following sea off the quarter. It helped. The reason that I sold the boat was that it was more that I needed for cruising usually single handed.

[@Jumpshiptravel]

@@topfunguy2281 thanks for the reply. We have the Volvo diesel. Really happy about that. I’ve heard they could be optioned with twins, but I think the single diesel is the way to go. We have only done one trip after purchasing in September of about 105 miles. I did notice she wanders in a following sea. Where did you place the ballast in the boat to help? This could help us as well. Do you still have your IS25? I’ve just watched about 5 or 6 of your videos and they are such an awesome little boat!

[@topfunguy2281]

@@Jumpshiptravel you are really lucky that you have the Volvo. The 470 was a good engine but so many parts are obsolete that they are now a bit of a nightmare. The Volvo has a lot of weight low in the boat which is great. The reliability of a diesel is they way to go as well. I bought lead ingots from a scrap dealer and put them in the keel aft of the engine. It helped quite a bit with the roll. If I did that again I would first try putting the ballast on the bottom of the boat outboard of the engine stringers and see how that worked. The common belief is that if you have your ballast too low it makes the boat swing like a pendulum. Where are you cruising with the boat? I know that there are some of the Campion trawlers all over North America. I live and keep my boat in Nanaimo. Have you heard of a Prairie 29 trawler? It is the same as your Campion. Yes I still have Gulf Mariner and go out a lot all year round. I’m going out for a few days later in the week.

[@Jumpshiptravel]

@@topfunguy2281 I’ve heard good things about the Volvo. Fingers crossed we have good luck on the reliability side. It only has about 1200 hours so should be lots of life left and was extremely well maintained from the previous owner. Thank you for the advice on the ballast. After we get some time at the helm, I will consider adding some weight as needed. I’ve had a carver in the past and I can say the campion feels a lot better underway then the carver. We cruise in the Great Lakes specifically Georgian Bay and The North Channel. If you haven’t been to the area and get the chance, don’t pass it up. You can also charter a boat in The North Channel too. We would love to boat in BC some day. Actually thought about chartering in Desolation Sound. One day! I haven’t heard of the Prairie 29, but I will be checking them out now. I haven’t had the opportunity to talk to anyone else that has or had a campion and there isn’t a lot online about them so it’s nice to hear from a former owner. You’re lucky to be able to use your boat all year. We get about 6 months and then she’s in storage for 6 months.

[@topfunguy2281]

@@Jumpshiptravel Well it sounds like you’ve got a fantastic boat. Have a great time cruising!

[@RezaOLine]

i dont have a boat.. i really want to have a nice adventure like this.. i should start to make my own dream boat.. lol..

[@topfunguy2281]

Reza O'Line You could build one but it's much cheaper and easier to by an old one.

[@itwasjammerthatclickedyou2262]

Beautiful boat. The perfect get away. Thanks for the tour. I subscribed . I am currently concined to my bed so I will be watching. Are you a fisherman sir? You access to great tasting fish there. Thanks for listening Jerry

[@topfunguy2281]

Hi Jerry. I’m not a fisherman although I do enjoy a little fishing. I catch a few rock cod every year and maybe a lingcod. I should try fishing for salmon one day but it’s more work and I go on the boat to relax. I hope that you’re feeling better soon.

[@loslosbaby]

Its a nice little boat!

[@lawneymalbrough4309]

You could get those long barbecue matches to light your stove.

[@topfunguy2281]

Good idea. I’ll get some.

[@gerdug2227]

Great documentary !

[@topfunguy2281]

Ger dug Thanks.

[@moejaime2654]

cheers ! love your videos ! thumbs up !!

[@jmflyer55]

Great little boat. Love it....

[@aramakdam7623]

so beautiful, thank you for sharing,

[@ruckuss12000]

what would you say the range of your boat before you had to re fuel is if you wanted to take a long trip , also what is the approximate cost to fill her up

[@davidzablow9723]

always wanted to repower with a yanmar

[@topfunguy2281]

Did you have the Mercruiser 470 in your Campion? I did and it basically blew up when I was out cruising.

[@davidzablow9723]

@@topfunguy2281 yup

[@topfunguy2281]

Pricey but nice.

[@philiphebbard]

A wonderfully shipshape vessel.

[@topfunguy2281]

Thanks, I try to keep her looking nice. Far from “Bristol” but good enough for me.

[@michaelsmith9308]

Great SHIP:) atleast to me! So comparing toilets etc..............I m comparing th nimble motorsailer and trawlers in the trailer sizes. Anyone know of any other trailer size boats? Can the toilet be discharged overbaord or is that an OPTION available?

[@topfunguy2281]

An Albin 25 in either motorboat or motorsailer version is a similar boat and definitely trailerable. There are many of them around and they are well built. The head in my boat had a Y valve and which directs the head discharge into a holding tank or out through the bottom of the hull.

[@steph4287]

Loved this video!

[@topfunguy2281]

Thanks, it makes me think that I should make some more soon.

[@philiphebbard1179]

Aptly named, Top Fun Guy. Some really great videos, Llew. They make me want to go out and empty my bank account.

[@mlindberg12345]

I love this boat!!!

[@topfunguy2281]

Thanks it is a lot of fun.

[@nurahmed1023]

a love this boat how mach thang you

[@davidzablow9723]

nice boat wish you'd go to gibsons landing

[@topfunguy2281]

I’ve been there so many times. I love Gibsons it’s always been one of my favourite places. If the Covid restrictions ease up I’ll be visiting there this summer for sure.

[@grahammackenzie4032]

Hey this is a really nice boat. Thanks for taking so much video - I'm in the moorage slip across from you and I have always been curious about this boat. The improvements you've made look fantastic, as does the new paint job. Just curious about the trip time from your slip to Bedwell Bay. I'm thinking of selling my boat and buying a little pocket cruiser that cruises about the same speed as yours, and I was wondering how long it would likely take to get up to Twin Islands on an average day (fighting the tide a little). Keep the videos coming.

[@topfunguy2281]

Hi Graham, Thanks for the nice comments about the boat. It usually takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to get to Bedwell Bay more or less of course depending on the tide. It is about five hours to NanImo and about three and a half hours to Gibsons. I'm sure I'll see you at the marina soon and we can chat. Llew

[@801Outdoors]

Awesome boat friend

[@Dylan_Miller]

Hey quick question, is it difficult docking your boat by yourself in your marina? I know cruising inside the cabin would be nice in open water, but when it comes to getting in tight places it seems that it would be difficult. Also how big of a fuel tank does your boat have?

[@topfunguy2281]

Dylan Miller It's a really easy boat to maneuver and dock. It's got a big rudder and turns on a dime if you know how to do it. I have a very tight spot in my Marina and don't have a problem when I'm by myself which is most of the time.

[@НиколайК-н2м]

КАК НАЗЫВАЕТЬСЯ ВАШ КАТЕР.МОДЕЛЬ.КТО ПРОИЗВОДИТЕЛЬ.?

[@unapro3]

As long as she said she "won't marry a boat guy" as opposed to " he's not a boat guy"......

[@hawaiinnative]

So your about 57 now, still on the high seas? (Men of steel in wooden boats)

[@topfunguy2281]

Yes, I’m out in Gulf Mariner now more than ever.

[@markrundquist3348]

Look in bedwell bay on google maps in the south west part of the bay there's a sunken sailboat!?!?

[@topfunguy2281]

Yes, I’ve seen people diving on it.

[@richardlanoue1261]

impossible for me to find the cie

[@ruckuss12000]

could you take a boat like this down to mexico ?

[@topfunguy2281]

ruckuss12000 ruckuss I suppose you could but it would take careful planning. You would have to watch the weather and take extra fuel.

[@robbiemoore7128]

how many HP she have ?????

[@topfunguy2281]

Robbie Moore 44hp

[@topfunguy2281]

Check out the “Independent Shipwrights IS25 Pocket Trawlers” group on Facebook.

[@joez9839]

LOL! You're fifty and in a few years you will be old and decrepit? I'm 65 and will be building the next boat over the winter of '16-'17. This will be to play with, but we're looking at a floating retirement. (We lived aboard for 15 years.) Decrepit? Golly! Just how bad is that Canadian health care? Thanks for the videos!

[@topfunguy2281]

Good for you building a boat. There are few more worthy pastimes. As far as being worn out and falling apart soon I always like to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. The Canadian health care system is pretty good overall. Lots of people complain about it but then lots of people complain about everything.

[@joez9839]

Ah! An optimistic pessimist?

[@bulldogsofeastvan5647]

Picture of wife?? Lol, any issues with this make and model of vessel?

[@topfunguy2281]

No problems at all and nothing I’d want changed either. It’s got everything that I’d want in a fuel efficient seaworthy 25 foot boat.

[@bulldogsofeastvan5647]

Thanks , I want to buy one! I'm in Vancouver too!

[@topfunguy2281]

@@bulldogsofeastvan5647 There were less than 20 made but they do come up for sale occasionally. You just have to keep checking the usual places. Even though they are all about 30 years old they were really well built and have stood up exceptionally well.

[@leonardbreau8928]

That little gal looks very seaworthy!

[@topfunguy2281]

Yes, she’s never let me down.

[@gregbuck1328]

J on