STELLA - Seaton Ross Nelson 56 Trawler - For Sale

STELLA is a Seaton Ross Nelson 56 Expedition Trawler – a classic Seaton design, long-distance blue water trawler finished to high structural and aesthetic standards in 1989, but with new 2009 engines. Her clean lines typical of Seaton Yachts with the navy-blue hull, off-white super-structure, and accents of red and teak, turn heads wherever she travels. Her spacious living quarters provide comfortable accommodations for long-range cruising with her two large staterooms. She is outfitted with many systems starting with the twin engines (which also make her easy to maneuver) that make for safe and comfortable offshore passages. Numerous amenities and an abundance of storage allow for extended living aboard in remote areas – easily up to three months. At her displacement speed of 7.9 knots, she has a 1900+/- mile range with her fuel capacity. Slow her down to 6.5 knots and her range goes up to 3,000NM.

With her forward pilothouse and modified Portuguese bridge for outside safety. Dogged doors port and starboard allow quick access to both side decks which wrap the boat for all-around dock accessibility at a practical height above the water and dock. Stainless steel railing with three gates on each side offer a variety of options for docking. Comfortable stairs make for convenient access to the flybridge and allow it to be one of the most frequently used spaces aboard for sunrise coffee, sunset meals, and piloting at the upper helm shaded by a large bimini.

With the dinghy mounted on the stern deck, offshore passages are safer, yet the dinghy can be quickly swung up and over the stern rail to the water. The stern ladder that accesses the swim platform makes the dinghy boarding convenient, yet it’s not too tall to make lifting groceries difficult while at anchor. A lightweight aluminum boarding ladder can be placed anywhere along the sides and provides another option for boarding from the dinghy or low floating docks.

While Stella’s outriggers with paravanes (mounted on the engine dry-stack exhausts) are a non-mechanical stabilization method for higher seas, they are seldom needed due to her overall stability at sea and anchor. Many removable panels make electrical and mechanical systems readily reached. White, padded ceiling panels on ceilings well above 6 feet are secured with industrial Velcro and removable for easy access to wiring. Cabinet and drawer doors are custom-made, many with louvered wood for ventilation.

The original owner spared no expense in building Stella, originally Glacier Star, outfitted by Ross Yachts in Clearwater, Florida. Her hull was constructed by Nelson Trawlers in Titusville, FL. With subsequent owners, STELLA has been maintained with many upgrades including two new continuous duty John Deere engines in 2009, Awl-gripped topsides fall 2015 and side and aft decks Awl-gripped August 2016. Upgrades since 2018 include: through-hull bolts replaced, new props, re-galvanized chain, new aft cabin a/c, new life raft, new aluminum hull dinghy, LED lighting, lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO) house batteries, 12-volt fans, Mantus anchor, new hatch glazing, navigation systems, and numerous other miscellaneous changes. In April 2023, Stella received new bottom paint, shaft seals, depth sounder, and zincs from Saunders Yatchworks in Gulf Shores, AL. She's ready to go!

Stella has helped us explore 9,000 miles in the last five years along the U.S. coast, the ICW, the Alabama River, and the Bahamas four times. Some of our favorite places have been the white sand beaches and offshore islands near the Florida panhandle (better than any we’ve seen on the East Coast and Florida peninsula), the scenic Alabama River system (perfect for quick escapes from tropical storms), the secluded Okeechobee Waterway (for a quick cut across Florida), and the endless remote anchorages in the Bahamas with clear turquoise water, white sand beaches, amazing underwater life, and ever-changing skies. With her 56’ length, she hits that sweet spot of safety and comfort at sea + spacious living + easy handling by two people. Stella is fully equipped and ready to go further!

A 2013 overview video "1989 Seaton Ross 56' Explorer Vessel - YouTube" shows her maneuverability. (She was named Carry On then.) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WymKrNCwgQk

In 2023, she is still a sea-worthy gem!

Measurements

Displacement: 92,000 lb, full load
Cruising Speed: 6-8 kn (7.9 displacement speed)

Max Speed: 10 kn

Range: +/-2000 nm (more at lower speeds)

Life Raft Capacity: 4 persons offshore

Windlass: 12V

LWL: 50 ft

Length on Deck: 56 ft

Beam: 16 ft 9 in

Draft: 5 ft 10

Air Draft: 27 ft

Fuel Tanks: 4, GRP, Integral,1600 gal (2x550 gal + 2x250 gal)

Fresh Water Tanks: 2, GRP, Integral, 900 gal (1x775gal + 1x125gal)

Holding Tanks: 2, Polyethylene, 80 gal (1x55gal + 1x25gal)

Propulsion

Engine Configuration: Twin Diesel

Engine Make: John Deere

Engine Model: 6068TFM75/M1

Engine Year: 2009

Power: 148 hp each

Hours: ~4500 each