I remember the first time I climbed on board and poked around a Mainship trawler. It was an older 34-foot model, perhaps an early 80s vintage, docked in Cuba's Marina Hemingway. (Don't worry Mr. Taxman I had permission). It was tied up to the dilapidated pier and looking rather salty. The couple from Toronto had bought her for a very reasonable price and were in the middle of a one-year Great Circle cruise. They began in Lake Michigan and were working their way back up the Eastern seaboard once a front passed through. I remember thinking that their Mainship was a sweet little home, with very pleasant lines, and ideally suited for long term cruising.

Fast forward several decades and the Mainship 34 Trawler has been reincarnated to suit the twenty-first century while still retaining the charm of the first 34 launched in 1978. The venerable builder has created a comfortable cruiser loaded with volume, still ideally suited for a couple looking to spend more than a weekend on board. And the best part, like her older sister, this salty little voyager won't break the bank.

I applaud the designers for not trying to cram a family of ten, a nanny and the family poodle on board like sardines. Instead they created roomy accommodations for the couple who may have occasional guests. The forward stateroom is tucked in the bow and features a queen-berth that is pretty easy to make. This may sound trivial, but I've been on boats where I've had to conduct a gymnastics routine just to tuck in the sheets.

The head can be accessed from this stateroom or from the passageway, so guests don't have to walk through the stateroom. A separate shower stall is molded in fiberglass and will be easy to keep clean. The stall is tucked in the after end of the head and has plenty of room even for larger crew members.

Every boat has some element of compromise, and the 34's large head creates one in the saloon. The shower stall is tucked under the lower optional helm, which therefore is a little high for easy viewing and comfort. I should reference this with the fact that I'm 5-feet, 9 inches, so I usually spend a fair amount of my time on the water standing on my toes. The issue is more an annoyance than anything, especially if you place electronic displays in the area. Again the payoff is showering in royal comfort.

The 34's galley is situated several steps down from the saloon. There is often good debate on galley-down vs. galley-up layouts. My vote is for a galley-down. I lived on board a 42-foot trawler with a galley in the saloon area for a few years. Sure, you could converse with guests, but you also forego the living room function of a saloon. After spending a summer on a Mainship 43 Trawler with a galleydown, I was sold. The 34 shares similar styling cues from her larger sister. The expansive overhead windows allow plenty of light, eliminating any concerns of being in a cave. Only two steps separate the galley area from the saloon, so the cook can still chat it up with guests in the saloon or at the dining counter.

Another feature the 34 borrows from her siblings is a real sofa in the saloon. No more church pew like settees built to right angles. You can plop down with the Sunday paper and settle in for a long snooze while swinging on the hook. Two chairs are on the starboard side, which can be used as dining chairs when the table is in the raised position.

Mainship designed a wide door between the saloon and the covered aft deck, creating a seamless space when warm weather allows. For Great Lakes boaters, I would consider enclosing the aft deck in canvas, creating additional living space and extending the cruising season. An opening transom door creates an easy boarding procedure from the swim platform to the after deck.

Mainship was one of the first trawler companies to incorporate a fiberglass molded staircase from the cockpit to the bridge. This great feature first appeared on the 35 Trawler, later replaced by the 390. Since that launch in the late 90s, Mainship has made this feature softer on the eyes, without losing the functionality. A stainless-steal rail extends the entire staircase, giving an extra element of safety. The side decks are wide and benefit from high rails and plenty of grab rails.

The flying bridge rivals the space and comfort of many larger trawlers. In fact, it is basically a compact version of the Mainship 43 Trawler. The helm seat is flanked by two companion seats. These can swivel around to join the conversation at the L-shaped and straight settees. The line of sight from the helm is good. Plus the helmsman can also see aft easily via the opening hatch, and if the transom door is open, you can stretch to see the swim platform when backing into a slip.

Engineroom access is via an opening in the cockpit staircase. I found it a little tight and trying to crawl forward to the engine with a tool chest may be a tough. Mainship offers a variety of Yanmar engine options ranging from a single 240 hp to twin 240 hp diesels.

I think the single 340 hp Yanmar may be the best option for the 34, giving a cruising speed in the low teens and a high cruise of around 17 to 18 knots. An optional bowthruster makes dock-ing with the single a no brainer. The rudder and propeller are protected behind the keel.

The 34's standard equipment list is comprehensive. Unlike some boats, you could leave the dock on a "standard" 34 and have a pretty comfortable, albeit minimalist cruise. The options are basically for the creature comforts, such as generator, air conditioning, central-vacuum, colored hull, electronics, lower control station and canvas. I would like, however, to see internal sea strainers on the standard equipment list.

Even with a few high ticket items like a generator, a/c, the lower helm, windlass, and bowthruster, you can still be cruising for about $275,000. Comparing this to some other trawlers, the 34 is a darn good value and will offer a couple like the folks I met in Havana the opportunity to head off into the sunset. Mainship Corp., (800) 578-0852; www.mainship.com.