Iggy, The Grand Bank 42 from Hawaii, had plenty of props (4)--he took off one to reduce the drag. We find that on trawlers and motor sailors a fixed large prop can "cost" a half a knot or perhaps more. Switching props is not as hard as you might expect. You have a line around the prop, as well as tools. The nuts and cotter pins, keys are kept in a mesh bag, along with spares. He wanted to equalize the engine hours.. An easier way is to have fully feathering props (controlable pitch), and a large cat which came up from New Zealand to the PNW, just feathered the prop not being used.
I used to change props in the ship, without diving gear up to twice a week. I had a sailboat I raced some weekdays and then cruised on weekends and other weekends raced. I had a "Martec" folding prop for racing--a bit harder to put on than a standard prop--and a 3 blade fixed prop for cruising. I got it down to 3 dives, most of the time.
Centerisland. On cruising boats, with furinture, it is dogged down. You may not have seen that. Even in my ocean crossing motor sailors, I had a helm chair which could be moved, but when at sea, was dogged down with secure latches. We find that "furniture" is much more comfortable than most of the built in settees and dinettes. It is relitatively easy to modify the built ins with foam etc, but I find that even then the seating is not as comfortable. Putting in latches to secure furniture is fairly easy.
Many of these sun deck motor yacht-trawlers have plenty of power (The Symbol had twin 3208 cats). Remember that sport fishers routinely run inlets. (Lets face it, none of these boats are real trawlers--if you want a trawler look at Malahides or similar boats:
http://www.classictrawlers.net/malahide/
Ursa Major is an example of these boats which is often in the PNW. The Romsdal, Colin archer designs are all "Trawlers"--work boat heritage. Some of them were actually working trawlers before conversion. I love these vessels, but cannot afford either the time or money to keep one in shape.) I have run breaking inlets in several continents, and do not relish that in any vessel, but with enough HP, the Symbol type of boat can be controlled to keep her on the back of a wave--basically seamanship is necessary. A true trawler is double ended and allows the wave to part and pass under the vessel because she is slow. A 44 foot displacement or semi displacement boat can be at more risk in a breaking inlet than a faster boat, which has the HP to stay on the back of the wave, and the control of twins with prop wash against the rudders to keep her on track. But--one would not normally attempt breaking inlets. Working inlets is more than just steering--throttle work is essential in any type of boat. For example the responsiveness of the Tom Cat is essential in working inlets.
I like folks to know about alternatives and vessels which will suit their lifestyle. I have seen so many people with fantisy's about open ocean cruising or living aboard, who either never go more than a few hundred miles, or start on a trip and realize quickly that this is not the boat/life style/adventure for them. It can be a very expensive lesson. For example, I have one friend who purchased a very expensive large express cruiser and used it for about 2 months before he realized his mistake. This will cost him over $200,000 in depreciation. Another person basically blew most of his retirement funds on various boats, chasing the fantisy and didn't have property ashore, missing the real estate bubble.
I started following cruisers in the early 60's when I started making medical kits for ocean voyages and I was living aboard a sail boat. In 1982 when we left on a 4 year voyage, we followed 20 boats who had similar plans. Out of these, 3 boats wre the only folks who reached their goal. Two boats were lost, they purchased a second boat and both continued to sail--and still are on these boats. We completed our 4 year voyage to Europe and back. In the other 17 boats, there were 6 divorces. Three left the boats to be sold at some remote place--which cost them mega bucks (Like Panama and Tahiti). The remainder gave up after 3 months to a year and either sold the boat, or had it professionally delivered back to the point of origin on the West Coast. (All of these were boats which had "survived" the Cabo Storm in Dec 1982, so it does not include the 28 boats lost at Cabo San Lucas.)
Look at all of the options--we agree on that. Take rides in each boat you are considering. Look very carefully at the furniture (built in or loose) and see how comfortable it is to sit for several hours. Buying a semi live aboard trawler or any type of boat is a major investment and takes a lot of research. A Trawler Fest is a good place to start.
:x :huh: 
:disgust :beer :cocktail :beer :cocktail :beer :cocktail