The way a powerboat will be used is the determining factor in the selection of the type of hull and engine the designer chooses. The two main types of cruising are coastal and blue water cruising. Normally, a powerboat to be efficient for extended cruising should be either a full displacement or a semi displacement hull. The coastal cruising boat can be of the displacement type or can have a planing hull such as a deep V or a modified V. The extended cruiser or passagemaker is designed to carry a lot of fuel and supplies in order to achieve its goal of long range and safety. The coastal cruiser doesn't need all that extra fuel and other supplies since the boat will usually be close enough to fuel sources and facilities for acquiring any needed items

The boats specified here are mainly of the slower yet more efficient trawler design. Although a lot of coastal cruising has been done and is still being done on faster planing hull vessels, we feel that for extended cruising you can't beat the trawler design. The boats below are, or have been, production line models, but there are hundreds of great custom boats built of wood, steel, aluminum or fiberglass and designed by naval architects like Seaton, Krogen, Neville, Monk and others.

Nordic Tugs - tug-like trawler maker

Defever - several excellent cruisers

Cheoy Lee - Trawler & Yacht manufacturer

Hatteras LRC's - the 42', 48', 58' and 65' passagemakers

Tollycraft - great cruisers