SeaPiper 35

Review in Power & Motoryacht, March 2024

Beat of its Own Drum
Usually,a boat turns heads because of its undeniable beauty. But occasionally, like in the case of the Seapiper 37, it turns them because it’s just plain different.
With all due respect, funky even.

Regardless of one’s first impressions, there’s no denying the Seapiper has an organic buzz, especially among online communities. What’s more, the recent 2023 merger with Seattle Yachts effectively began a new era. Not only does the 37 now benefit from the backing of one of America’s preeminent yacht builders and broker networks, but the boats are now built domestically for the first time. The Seapiper 37 has a fascinating story; from the daydreams of her Dutch designer to the Anacortes, Washington factory floor to one intrepid owner drawn to the Arctic by the Northwest Passage’s siren song.

Built for practicality and easy maintenance on long passages
The Seapiper 37 began with the imagination of professional designer and CAD engineer Ritzo Muntinga, who started fleshing out his vision around 2010. “I’ve always liked self-contained systems for living in,” said Muntinga. “You know, log cabins … I really am attracted to those for some reason.” He started noodling a design for a cruising boat with a mid-cockpit as a passion project. A central aspect of his design was a large sliding door that separates the center cockpit from the helm. When open, the pilothouse and cockpit would become one space for the skipper to mingle with everyone.

“Part of it [the Seapiper 37’s layout] has to do with my roots,” continued Muntinga. “I’m originally from Holland and this is kind of like a mini version of a fishing trawler you see in the North Sea. That’s the lines that she has … the goal was to design a boat that was efficient to run and exceptionally easy to maintain.”

Muntinga defied traditional boat debuts by uploading Seapiper 37 design details to his own website. “I filled [my website] with information about this boat, which obviously didn’t exist yet,” he said. “Every section of the boat had dedicated CAD renderings.”

Muntinga designed the Seapiper 37 to be a trailerable, long-distance passagemaker at an affordable price point. The 37 is relatively heavy, with an 13,000 pound approximate weight (about a 17,000 pound displacement) with a narrow 8.5-foot beam. There was a plucky, “little ship” attitude and when trailering; Muntinga referred to the boat as a “highway needle.” All systems were designed with ease of access, maintenance and repair for amateur skippers in remote locations.

“They [the systems] are high quality and easy to understand,” said Muntinga. “An experienced boater in five minutes will know where everything is and how to operate it.” Muntinga reckoned one or two reasonably competent boaters on a Seapiper 37 should be able to horizon chase to their heart’s content. His unusual strategy worked. Before long, he had four deposits from clients to build the first hulls. He started building the tooling in California where he lives but couldn’t build the boats there due to financial constraints. The first fourteen hulls were thus built abroad, but the pandemic and subsequent—and ongoing—implosion of the globalized supply chain pushed Muntinga to build the boats here in the states. The search for a domestic builder led him to Seattle Yachts.

“Boats are part of the heritage here,” said Linn Jennings, who was brought on as director of manufacturing operations of Seattle Yachts’ Anacortes, Washington, yard in 2023. “It’s just part of the soul of Anacortes … for me personally, it feels good to be here in a community where it’s huge. And you know, I’m a boat guy. I like hanging out with boat guys.”

Jennings has been in the volume boat production game his entire working life. When he first saw the Seapiper designs, Jennings admitted he wasn’t sure what to think. “Honestly, my first impression was that it was kind of a Swiss army knife of boats, trying to do everything a little bit, but didn’t really have a niche.” However, he came around to appreciating it: “There’s a difference between seeing the boat in a picture or looking at the drawings and climbing around on it.”

Seattle Yachts decided to take a chance and add the boat to its roster. For Jennings, the combination of trailerability and versatile passagemaking opens a world of cruising to those of us holding down a regular job. “The Seapiper, it kind of opens opportunities,” he said. “The more I looked at it … the more I thought, that’s pretty cool. It doesn’t shut doors … you can be up in the arctic this year, you can be in the tropics next year.”

Seapiper 37 owner André Lay aboard his beloved Cavendish (hull #14). At the time of this writing, Lay has completed a fuel-sipping journey from his home port of San Francisco clear to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The center cockpit design also won him over. Essentially Muntinga just took a typical layout, split the cabin, slid back the wheelhouse and salon, and put the bulk of the cockpit and entertainment space between the accommodations. “I think the center cockpit, honestly, took a little while for me to warm up to,” said Jennings. “But the more I thought about it, the more I thought about my wife and I and the kids and grandkids; the mid cockpit is very cool. Virtually every 37-footer out there has a forward cabin. The Seapiper just chooses to move the bulk of the cockpit between the accommodations for a lot of legitimate reasons.”

“I just think it’s a versatile little boat,” concluded Jennings. “It’d be the perfect couple’s boat, just to get out and be able to do whatever they wanted. It’s a narrow waterline beam, it’s long and narrow. It’s going to be fuel efficient, it’s going to be good in chop. It’s going to be stable, it has that ballasted keel.”

Jennings is bringing his decades of manufacturing process expertise to bear. Hulls 15 and 16 are in various stages of build on the factory floor. Seattle Yachts is becoming fully acquainted with its new acquisition and the build process is being refined. A handful of tweaks have been made from hull number one in the spirit of improvement, like water tank placement. Once perfected, Jennings anticipates a new Seapiper 37 can be built every two months.

According to the designer, the lines of the Seapiper 37 are inspired by Dutch North Sea working vessels—and we can see the inspiration.
Photo: Courtesy Seapiper
The relatively long length and narrow beam speaks to an efficiency focus. “[The Seapiper 37] truly sips fuel,” said Muntinga. “The average fuel consumption is about a gallon per hour with a normal cruising speed of 6.5 to 7 knots.” He anticipates the efficiency will improve slightly now that the boats are built by Seattle Yachts in Anacortes with an infused resin layup versus hand laid fiberglass to make the new hulls a bit lighter.

But while the “highway needle” profile is great for efficiency, a potential drawback could be tenderness and handling roll. “When you’re talking about boats in this size class … they’re all in the 10-foot beam range,” said Muntinga. “All of them will have a certain level of rolliness to them. Every single one. And that has to do with the overall size and weight. Seapiper is no different and is no worse than the competition in that class.”

He cited the Seapiper 37’s low center of gravity as a means to reduce roll. Another perk of a narrower beam is that stabilizer systems are more effective. The Seakeeper is not standard, but an available option for the build.

André Lay is a professional mariner and owner of Seapiper 37 hull number 14, which he christened Cavendish. His original introduction was via Muntinga’s online renderings, which led to an in-person meeting and in-water tour of a completed boat in the spring of 2019. “We set foot on one of the Seapipers, the thing was in the water and I was already really excited about it,” recalled Lay. “I’m a kid who sees the bike he wants for Christmas, oh man, I’m sure I want it. Then he goes to the bike shop, and it’s everything I thought and more.”

For Lay, the Seapiper 37 represented an upgrade from an old wooden boat that he didn’t deem cruise-worthy. He also completed two sailboat deliveries and knew what kind of adventuring he preferred after the high-seas experience. “I am down for going the same direction for a long period of time,” he said.

Lay also learned that sailing, while fun, wasn’t his cup of tea. “If I didn’t want to have a stick in the center of the boat but I did want to go really far, the answer was a trawler,” he said. However, well-known trawlers with established pedigrees also have the commensurate price tag. “I’m a guy who works for his living, I’m not a newly retired ophthalmologist who goes out and buys a brand new Nordhavn.”

Lay’s primary motivation for purchasing Cavendish is an epic dream to circumnavigate North America via the Northwest Passage. “For reasons unknown the North fascinates me,” he said. “I’ve been casually reading about the Northwest Passage and how with temperatures trending to increase, the sea ice retreats more and more, and now the passage is becoming a navigable passage again without an icebreaker.”

Although a heavy duty rig is required to haul her, the narrow beam of the Seapiper 37 makes the boat trailerable without special permits­—a bonus for folks who might want to cruise the Northwestern U.S. in the summer, and Southeastern latitudes during the winter.

Lay confided his arctic dreams to Muntinga, who deemed his concept “not too crazy.” Lay reckons the Seapiper 37’s range, shallow draft, simple and reliable systems, and more are all features of a boat worthy of the Jack London-style Call of the Wild. Flash forward to October 2023 and Lay departed his home waters of San Francisco Bay for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as a first leg of a North American circumnavigation. Ultimately, this journey will lead through the Caribbean and up the East Coast. He eventually hopes to get to Greenland and that he’s “freaking ready to go for it.”

When we spoke after his Mexico run in December, Lay reported a favorable experience. “Overall, the boat has performed admirably. I find that having a cruising rpm of something like 1600 to 1900 rpm is pleasant for me and the noise environment and for the boat. That’s also kind of the primo spot for fuel consumption. I say it’s averaging 6 knots.”

His crossing from the bottom of Baja to Puerto Vallarta was around 500 nautical miles solo. “I was comfortable enough to sit out and do this multi-day passage on my own and still get plenty of rest,” he said. “The boat was riding great, it wasn’t giving me any problems. I’ve got electronics and you know I’m up near the helm, I’ve got the settee in the salon. Got alarms set for AIS targets and radar targets. It was great, there were no targets. I got plenty of rest, it was peaceful.”

A highlight was a pause “smack in the middle” of the blue-water transit. “I just put the boat in neutral, turned the life ring over, and popped in [the water] and just lay there. Rejoiced in the majesty of clear blue water and nothing around for hundreds of miles.” In other words, he experienced a slice of paradise.

“All in all, the boat did really well,” he said.

So, was there anywhere she didn’t do so well? “It doesn’t do well with following seas,” said Lay. “I think that’s pretty common for most any boat, but there were some times with some pretty windy conditions. It was nighttime, it was blowing from behind. And man, like, you’re having to hand steer; it was very grueling to be hand steering all day and all night and the boat is just listing like crazy and things are flinging around. I know that can happen sometimes when you’re a small boat on a big ocean.”

The boat itself though, was fine. “Besides picking things up, the boat is nothing worse for wear. She kept on.”

Lay’s analysis highlights the pros and cons of the long, narrow hull form. “I’ll be the first to point out it’s a double-edged sword,” he said. “Part of the reason it’s even a remote possibility to do long passages from a monetary standpoint is the efficiency of the boat. One of the key ingredients of that is the narrow beam, so that’s one edge of the sword. Naturally, the other edge is that she will be more rolly and tender than a boat with a wider beam.”

The timeless saying that there is no perfect boat, only a series of compromises, comes to mind. Lay is an outspoken advocate for the Seakeeper system, which he opted for. “That thing is so freaking cool,” he said. “It almost should be a standard feature. I understand why it’s not because it’s a lot of money, but without that stabilizer I would be singing a different tune.”

For those familiar with cars, the one-of-a-kind Honda Element—and its loyal fan base of adventurous outdoorspeople may be an apt comparison. The early days of Larry Graf’s Aspen Power Catamarans also come to mind. His asymmetrical proa hull, once an unknown design that initially caused pause, is now proven with an energized fan base and rendezvous community. Will the Seapiper 37 take its place in the boating world in a similar fashion? Only time will tell, but all the ingredients are there.

Seapiper 37 Specifications:
LOA: 37’2”
Beam: 8’6”
Draft: 2’11”
Displ.: 17,000 lb.
Fuel: 200 gal.
Water: 102 gal.
Cruising Speed: 7 to 8 knots
Top Speed: 9.5 knots

This article originally appeared in the March 2024 issue of Power & Motoryacht magazine.

Review by By Zuzana Prochazka, July 10, 2018

SeaPiper 35 Review
Take a closer look at this basic trawler for old school simplicity and an old world price.

By Zuzana Prochazka, July 10, 2018
More than 80 percent of boats sold today are pre-owned. It’s no surprise really, since oftentimes, that’s when they become affordable for most of us. But if you’re looking for a distance cruiser that is affordable right out of the box, put the new SeaPiper 35 on your short list.

Designed by Ritzo Muntinga, SeaPiper is a long distance trawler that’s built in China. Hull #1 arrived in California this spring and hull #2 is due in the fall. Designed with barebones systems to be easily maintained, the model looks like a Pacific Northwest crabbing trawler and has some no nonsense features that DIY boaters will love.

Topping out at 9.8 knots at 2800 RPM, the SeaPiper 35 was built for long distance cruising—up to 2000 nautical miles.
Going the Distance

The SeaPiper 35 was built to wander far—up to 2000 nautical miles, and do it with utter simplicity so it can be serviced with minimal handiness and tight budget. The 85 HP Betamarine single diesel, accessible via the cockpit sole, drives a 1 ¾” diameter stainless steel shaft which runs from amidships just about all the way aft and has a conventional shaft seal and cutlass bearing for easy DIY maintenance. Fuel is drawn from wing tanks, each with its own fuel filter and deck fill.

With a 22-inch four-blade prop turning at 2350 rpm, the SeaPiper will make 8.6 knots. A more economical cruise is 6.5 - 7.0 knots where she burns one gallon per hour. With 270 gallons of fuel you can venture far because the displacement hull delivers sailboat-style fuel efficiency. She tops out at 9.8 knots at 2800 rpm.

The design is narrow with an 8’6” beam. That’s good and bad news. It’s good because at that width, the SeaPiper can be trailered without a permit. You can choose your cruising grounds and deliver the boat there with a hefty pickup at 70 MPH rather than at eight knots. She can also be stored dry rather than in an expensive marina between seasons. It’s not good because her trim beam makes her a bit rolly. There’s room to add an optional SeaKeeper gyrostabilizer but given that a new SeaPiper, including $34,000 of options, comes in at only $169,000 and a gyro costs around $35,000, that choice probably won’t make much sense.

Like a sailboat, the SeaPiper runs smoothly, taking head seas in stride with her 17,000-pound displacement. She turns easily but gradually. Her long keel keeps her tracking and will protect the prop and rudder in case of a beach grounding. The propeller kicks to port in reverse so a bow thruster comes in handy.
Form Follows Function

Everything on the SeaPiper was designed with a purpose starting with the unusual mid-cockpit. The 60-square-foot center cockpit gives the yacht a workboat aesthetic but there are pluses to the unconventional design. First, the cockpit is the most still platform on the boat and therefore the most comfortable for extended lounging. Second, the captain can keep its occupants in view under way and with 30-inch coamings, it’s a great place for visitors and kids. Finally, because the cockpit sits between the pilothouse and the forward cabin, the cockpit is protected from the wind and spray. Side doors both port and starboard provide easy access from the dock or dinghy and a service winch installed there can lift provisions, jerry cans or dive gear so even a single-hander can manage easily.

Bench seating is along both sides of the cockpit and can seat 6-8 for outdoor dining with the addition of a table. The seats are also steps up to the foredeck where you’ll find an electric windlass and plenty of cleats for dock and snubber lines.


Aft is the pilothouse with the helm, a dinette and galley. Sliding doors lead from the tiny aft cockpit to two steps down to the galley.

The SeaPiper is a boat built for a couple (or maybe a single-hander) with the occasional guest or grandkid making a short appearance. The only cabin is forward of the cockpit and is completely contained in its own, dedicated section of the interior. The v-berth can be made into a double with an insert. There’s plenty of stowage capacity with a hanging locker to starboard and cubbies throughout. A wet head to port has a Sealand electric macerating freshwater head, the only real nod to complex luxury on the vessel. The freshwater rinse will prevent odors from building up in the plumbing but it will also be a draw on the fresh water supply, which is 140 gallons. It’s a bit surprising that this isn’t the usual dependable manual seawater-flush head. It’s also the only head aboard so all who need it must enter the cabin to do so.

Aft is the pilothouse with the helm, a dinette and galley. Sliding doors lead from the tiny aft cockpit to two steps down to the galley. Here you’ll find a two-burner LPG cooktop just like on a sailboat, a 4.6 cubic-foot refrigerator, a single stainless steel sink and a microwave. Our test boat was also equipped with the optional oven. There’s a 2200-watt inverter to power outlets off the 420 aH capacity house battery bank and plenty of Corian countertop space to prepare meals. A NextGen diesel generator is a good option for charging but it’s nice to know that with propane, it won’t be needed for every small galley task.

Three steps lead up to the L-shaped dinette with a hi/lo table that can be made into a 6’6” long single berth for the occasional adult guest or two kids. To starboard is an additional small settee and just ahead in the corner is the helm. The optional Raymarine electronics package may be installed on the dash but a more elegant presentation would be welcome. A destroyer wheel is mounted on the bulkhead and a footrest would be helpful just ahead of the single captain’s chair.

Ventilation is good with an overhead hatch as well as four opening portlights in the galley and you can always open both the forward and aft doors and have the breeze blow right through.

Everything on the SeaPiper has been designed to be simple to install, access and maintain. There are now whizbang or complex systems aboard and although that may seem odd in today’s world of luxury-on-demand, it’s also refreshingly free of stress. One engine, a propane stove, basic electronics, redundant fuel and water tanks, and no exterior wood to maintain – this sounds like cruisers’ heaven.

With SeaPiper, it’s likely you’ll spend very little time in port attending to chores and more time having the cruising adventure you seek. That’s not to say that you can’t add other systems like a watermaker because there is room in the spacious machinery room ahead of the engine, but the point is that you don’t need to complicate things. You’ll still enjoy the same places as million dollar yachts with a lot less down time and a lot smaller initial cash outlay.

With the SeaPiper you won’t go 20 knots or entertain a crowd of 20 people, but then, a slower journey with more peace can be just what you’re looking for.

For more on trawlers, read Five Affordable Trawlers Under 40 feet and Five Affordable Trawlers Over 40 feet.
Specifications
Length 35'
Beam 8'6"
Draft 2'11"
Engine 1x Betamarine 85 HP Disesel
Displacement 17,000 lbs
Fuel capacity 270 gal.
Water capacity 140 gal.
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Written by: Zuzana Prochazka
Zuzana Prochazka is a writer and photographer who freelances for a dozen boating magazines and websites. A USCG 100 Ton Master, Zuzana has cruised, chartered and skippered flotillas in many parts of the world and serves as a presenter on charter destinations and topics. She is the Chair of the New Product Awards committee, judging innovative boats and gear at NMMA and NMEA shows, and currently serves as immediate past president of Boating Writers International. She contributes to Boats.com and YachtWorld.com, and also blogs regularly on her boat review site, TalkoftheDock.com.

Review by PassageMaker Editors September 14, 2023

Classic Look, Smart Purpose
Seattle Yachts is bringing back the SeaPiper 35—now the SeaPiper 37—a trawler for cruisers who know exactly what they want.
By PassageMaker Editors
September 14, 2023

At 37 feet, 2 inches long with 8½ feet of beam, the SeaPiper 37 is a pocket trawler with surprising features for boaters who understand the importance of a yacht having a specific mission.

The SeaPiper 35 was the brainchild of Ritzo Muntinga, a California-based electronics engineer. His vision was to create a reliable, small trawler that was simply outfitted for affordability. He also wanted to make the SeaPiper trailerable, for easy moves between cruising grounds.

The earliest couple of builds were undertaken in California, before production moved to China. After about a dozen or so builds there, the pandemic arrived and construction stalled.

Enter the dealer and brokerage firm Seattle Yachts and its subsidiary, Marine Manufacturing Group, which builds Tartan sailing yachts and Legacy motoryachts near the shore of Lake Erie in Ohio. The team at Seattle Yachts believed the SeaPiper would appeal to Great Loopers and other cruisers who didn’t want to cross oceans, but who instead wanted relatively low operating costs and simplified maintenance—with an offbeat, yet attractive workboat flavor.

The tooling was shipped from China to the United States, where Seattle Yachts is building the boats under another subsidiary, Northern Marine in Anacortes, Wash. Those craftsmen are turning out the latest version of the SeaPiper 35, whose design remains mission-focused on providing maximum value and utility in a rugged, compact, trailerable trawler yacht package.

Her propulsion is the naturally aspirated 85-hp BetaMarine diesel used in her predecessors. That diesel is built on a Kubota long-block engine; since Kubota is a worldwide supplier of engines for farm equipment and other machinery, boaters can find parts and service just about anywhere.

Speed, according to the builder, is 7 to 8 knots with a top end just under 10 knots. At displacement speeds, her range is reportedly 1,400 to 1,800 nautical miles. The reserve power from her engine, when it’s fitted with a high-output (100- to 130-amp) alternator, can charge a house power battery bank for use instead of the optional, standalone genset. A 2,000-watt inverter and solar panels would be smart additions.

Inside, the SeaPiper has a split arrangement, with the midships cargo deck and high bulwarks bookended by the salon and accommodations. Her profile is reminiscent of a European canal barge, and the layout allows for lounging at the dock or on the hook—as well as providing space for a rack and electric bikes. The wheelhouse and galley have large windows for a bigger feel.

Owners who want a more upgraded experience can add a Raymarine electronics suite, a Seakeeper gyrostabilizer and an HVAC system with heat and air conditioning, but for those who prefer simplicity, the SeaPiper 35 exudes plenty of character.  

Review by Mallory Parks on Boattest.com, Sept. 8,

Compact Trawler, Big Adventures: A Captain's Journey on a SeaPiper
Sep 08, 2025

ARTICLE COURTESY OF SEAPIPER

By Mallory Parks

For many boaters, the dream of adventure begins with a simple idea: freedom. Freedom to leave the dock on a whim, explore new coastlines, and live life at a slower, more intentional pace. For professional mariner and lifelong boater André Lay, that dream took shape in the form of a compact, trailerable trawler — the 2022 SeaPiper 35.

At first glance, the SeaPiper is a modest boat. With its distinctive mid-cockpit layout and efficient single-engine design, it looks nothing like the floating condos, gas guzzling powerboats, and entertainment palaces often seen at the marina. But as André proves, this little trawler opens the door to a big world of cruising — one that stretches far beyond weekend outings.
Choosing the Right Boat for the Right Lifestyle
Collage of André Lay childhood pictures, displaying his love of boating from an early age.
From childhood to today, André Lay’s life has always been anchored in boating.

André has boating in his blood. His father first bought a powerboat when André was eight years old, beginning the decades long love affair. At a young age, he learned how to handle, navigate, and maintain boats. His love of boats turned from recreational to professional in when he earned a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) in 2017 from the US Coast Guard.

Over the last two decades, André crossed oceans and accumulated significant sea time, working on and transporting vessels of various models and size.

Before purchasing a SeaPiper, André owned a 1965 Pacemaker 44 wooden cruiser with twin gas engines — but he quickly found the limitations of size, fuel burn, and performance outside of protected waters. “I was very comfortable using it within the bay, but doing anything beyond the San Francisco Bay, I was not confident. That and the boat wasn’t efficient; I spent a significant amount of money on gas,” he explained. “So even after fixing it up, I found the love affair was over.”

And so the search began for an efficient, well-rounded, capable trawler that would expand his cruising territory.
Why the SeaPiper Was the Right Fit

For André, the SeaPiper wasn’t just a practical choice — it was a lifestyle match. He knew from experience that bigger isn’t always better. A larger yacht would bring more systems, more maintenance, and potentially the need for crew. That wasn’t what he wanted. “I didn’t want something that occupied all my free time,” he explained. “I wanted something I could handle myself.”
SeaPiper owner André Lay (left) standing with designer and builder Ritzo Muntinga in front of Lay’s new SeaPiper trawler on delivery day, January 2023.
Delivery day! Owner André Lay and original designer-builder Ritzo Muntinga celebrate in front of André’s new SeaPiper trawler, January 2023.

At 35 feet**, the SeaPiper is just right. Large enough to feel safe and stout on extended passages, yet small enough for one person to manage confidently. “Eighty percent of the time, it’s just me on board,” André said. “I didn’t need a boat designed for entertaining crowds. I wanted something that worked for how I really wanted to use it.”

**André purchased the last SeaPiper 35 built before the brand was acquired by Seattle Yachts. After the acquisition, production was moved from China to the United States, and the design was modified to include an extended swim step, resulting in the SeaPiper 37.

The SeaPiper’s efficiency and simplicity also stood out. With a single diesel engine and a low-maintenance design, it’s easy to get underway — even spontaneously. “I love being able to head down to the dock at 6:00 pm, and within ten minutes, be out of the marina,” André shared. “It doesn’t have to be a big production. The SeaPiper makes it easy to just go.”

That ease and versatility of the SeaPiper is what makes this trailerable trawler shine. It’s about freedom! Freedom to take off solo, without coaxing others to join. Freedom to embark on a long passage or a short sunset cruise. Freedom to spend less time managing the boat and more time embracing the adventure.
From San Francisco Bay to Panama
When André took delivery of his brand new SeaPiper in January 2023, he already had an ambitious plan in mind: to circumnavigate North America. By Halloween 2023, he was departing San Francisco Bay, heading south. Two cruising seasons later, his SeaPiper sits on the Pacific side of Panama, just shy of the canal.

For André, the journey isn’t about checking boxes or chasing records. “I’m not out to prove anything,” he admitted. “It’s about the experience, the growth, and the joy of being out here.” At 43 years old, André feels less compelled to be driven by accolades. “Safety, health and personal enjoyment matter more to me now than protecting my ego. I’ve learned a lot about myself. If I decide to abort the mission, I need to be okay with that. I can do my best with what I have. And it's not to prove anything to anybody, especially myself.”

That mindset reflects the SeaPiper lifestyle perfectly. This trawler isn’t about luxury or showing off. It’s about going places — sometimes remote, sometimes challenging — and living life a little outside your comfort zone.

The Life of an Extended Cruiser

A typical day aboard André’s SeaPiper might involve a hop between anchorages, swimming in tropical waters, sharing a sundowner with fellow cruisers, or tackling small maintenance projects. Evenings are often spent in the mid-cockpit, book in hand, watching the sun go down.

That mid-cockpit, one of the SeaPiper’s most distinctive features, has become the heart of André’s life aboard. Positioned low and close to the water, it creates a sense of connection with the sea that you simply don’t get from a flybridge high above the waterline. As he puts it, “It keeps me very connected with the ocean. You’re close to the water, close to the experience.”

That closeness also translates into practicality. Boarding from a dock or stepping into a dinghy is straightforward and safe — something André appreciates now and knows he’ll value even more as the years go on. Beneath the cockpit, a large hatch opens to the machinery space, making engine maintenance easier and less of a chore.

To support his extended cruising lifestyle, André outfitted his SeaPiper with a handful of thoughtful aftermarket additions: solar panels, a water maker, Starlink internet, tinted window shades, and a dinghy. Additionally, he applauds his choice for the full Raymarine suite of electronics, including the autopilot. “I really love the autopilot,” he explained. “I am able to set a course and then have the boat drive itself while I do what needs to get done, whether that’s taking care of myself or taking care of the boat.”

Each upgrade was chosen to make the boat more self-sufficient and comfortable for long stretches away from shore, without cluttering it with unnecessary complexity. True to his less is more philosophy, André has focused only on the systems that add real value to his time on the water — leaving the boat simple, efficient, and always ready to go.

His advice for would-be cruisers is simple: don’t wait for perfection. “If you try to make everything just so, you might never leave,” he said. “So long as the basics are met, start using the boat. That’s how you gain the experience.”
André Lay prepping gear and equipment for coastal cruising aboard the SeaPiper trawler.
Packing the basics for his big adventure!

Adventures Big and Small

André has weathered six- and even eight-foot seas aboard his SeaPiper, pushed by wind and spray. He’s also floated peacefully at anchor with friends, diving into crystal-clear water before dinner. The contrast is what makes the lifestyle so powerful: one day a challenge, the next a celebration.

He describes some passages as “rollercoaster rides,” the kind you can’t step off once you’ve committed. When the weather turns, there’s no choice but to see it through, no matter how tired you are or how much you wish you were back in the calm of a safe harbor. “You’re about to get on a rollercoaster and you’re not going to be able to get off,” André explained. “You’ve got to ride it out.”

Those moments test not just the boat but the skipper’s judgment. André emphasizes that the key is making good decisions before leaving the dock — studying forecasts, planning routes, and avoiding situations that could spiral out of control. Even so, there are times when the sea has its way, reminding him just how small a 37-foot trawler is in the vastness of the ocean.

What keeps him confident is knowing the SeaPiper can handle more than it looks like it should. While its narrow beam makes rough seas a challenge, the addition of a SeaKeeper gyro-stabilizer has given André peace of mind in heavier conditions. “The boat’s capable — it might be bouncing up and down all over the place, but it will see me through,” he said.

It’s in that mix of awe and humility that the reward lies. The hard days give weight to the easy ones — the sundowners with friends, the quiet evenings reading in the cockpit, the joy of dropping anchor in a new remote and shallow place. Every smooth, golden sunset is sweeter because of the rough days endured to reach it.

Who the SeaPiper Lifestyle Fits

The SeaPiper isn’t built for everyone — and that’s exactly its charm. The new SeaPiper 37 is best suited for people who value independence, simplicity, and the ability to step away from the crowd. André believes the sweet spot is for solo adventurers or couples who are comfortable spending long stretches together in close quarters, sharing both the workload and the rewards.

“It makes the most sense for a couple who gets along well and knows their way around a boat,” André said. “When that’s the case, the experience is that much more enjoyable because you’re sharing it.”

Unlike many boats in this size range, the SeaPiper’s layout actually creates a sense of separation that offers surprising privacy. The forecabin and the pilothouse function as distinct living spaces, with the mid-cockpit acting as a natural buffer in between. For couples, this design gives the illusion of extra room and the ability to retreat into different areas of the boat when needed — a thoughtful advantage during longer voyages.

This boat appeals to those who prefer quality of experience over quantity of space. People who like the idea of slipping lines without fanfare, finding an anchorage with only a handful of other cruisers, and spending the evening swapping stories over a shared meal or a sundowner.

The lifestyle also attracts pragmatic dreamers — those who understand that boats require work but can also see that work as part of the adventure rather than a burden. Owners who embrace a less is more mindset will find the SeaPiper especially rewarding, since its design encourages efficiency, self-sufficiency, and focus on what truly matters: the journey itself.

For anyone looking to step into long-range coastal cruising without the extravagant cost, complexity, or crew demands of larger trawlers, the SeaPiper 37 offers a compelling path. It’s not about having the biggest boat in the harbor. It’s about having the right boat for the life you want to live.
A Small Boat, A Big Adventure

André’s journey is proof that the size of the boat doesn’t dictate the scale of the adventure. The SeaPiper lifestyle isn’t about extravagance — it’s about freedom, exploration, and living fully in the present moment, one anchorage, one horizon, one sundown at a time.
SeaPiper Cavendish enjoying the crystal clear waters off Islas Secas archipelago, located 30 miles off the Pacific coast of Panama.
SeaPiper Cavendish enjoying the crystal clear waters off Islas Secas archipelago, located 30 miles off the Pacific coast of Panama.

We hope you’ve enjoyed a glimpse into André’s story. This November, André plans to return to Panama, take Cavendish through the canal, and begin the next leg of his North American circumnavigation. Wherever the journey leads next, one thing is certain — the horizon is wide open for Cavendish and Captain André Lay. Make sure to stay connected with André and Cavendish over on Substack.

Disclaimer

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.