Jose Henao, a seasoned mariner with a lifetime of commercial fishing experience, has always felt at home on the water. Now, at 70 years old, he's embarking on a new adventure aboard his SeaPiper 37, Sofía. The compact, trailerable trawler, known for its efficient design and liveaboard comfort, has become his home away from home. In this exclusive interview, Jose shares his experiences, insights, and the joy of living aboard his trawler full-time since taking ownership of the SeaPiper in May 2024.
Transitioning from Land to Sea
Jose's journey to SeaPiper ownership was driven by a deep-seated love for the ocean. “All my life I was around the ocean,” says Jose. “I told my wife that when I turn 70, I want to get myself a boat. I don't want to live in a house, sitting around doing nothing. I still feel I have the energy, and more than that, I miss living on board a boat.”
Downsizing and returning to the ocean had been on Jose’s mind for quite some time. “My wife [Vera] and I have been living these past five months on board Sofía full-time. We also have a big house, which in the past was fantastic because we had all our kids, grandkids, and extended family around. But now it's just my wife and me. So, we’re considering selling the house and living on board the SeaPiper full-time.”
With an LOA of 37’2” and an 8’6” beam, the SeaPiper 37 pocket trawler offers less than 300 sq ft of living space – much smaller than a standard home on land. However, the transition to living aboard full-time has gone very well for the Henao's. Initially worried about the transition for his wife, who does not share the same experience living aboard boats, he is pleased that both adapted well to the smaller living space.
“We have a very good forward cabin, which is very comfortable for two people. I have a kitchen, and I'm always cooking - I love cooking,” beams Jose. “I use the stove, I put a grill on the deck, I have a fridge with enough space to keep our food, and I have a freezer. The only thing I miss on the boat is a washer and dryer. Every week we go to the laundromat to wash and dry our clothes and to check that everything is okay in the house. Other than that, we have everything we need on the boat.”
Buyer Considerations
Jose first began looking for his perfect boat in 2019 and the SeaPiper immediately caught his attention, though he was hesitant to make the purchase final until he could see a SeaPiper in person. “Initially, I was afraid because it's a big investment. I wanted to see one in person, be on board, and speak with an owner before deciding.” With assistance from the original SeaPiper designer and builder, Ritzo Muntinga, Jose connected with a current owner. The meeting dispelled any lingering doubts, solidifying his confidence in making an informed decision to buy the SeaPiper. “After seeing a few SeaPipers and speaking with an experienced owner who had put more than 5,000 miles on his boat, I decided to buy,” says Jose.
After carefully considering his options for nearly three years, Jose chose the SeaPiper 37 trawler for its efficiency, comfort, and unique design. He highlights several key features that have made his experience exceptional:
Roll Motion:
Initially concerned about the boat's stability due to its narrow design, Jose has been incredibly pleased by the SeaPiper’s performance along with the installation of the Seakeeper, an optional add-on provided with the build. “My main concern was that the boat would roll too much because [the beam] is very narrow. I've been on boats my whole life, and for me, a narrow boat will always roll more than a wider boat. But the Seakeepers keep the boat so stable that it's not an issue. It's amazing how well they work." On a recent offshore trip, Jose and his wife found themselves in 130ft water when three different storms passed. "Every two hours, a storm would hit us. But the boat behaved very well – fantastic! So, I have no concerns about the narrow beam of the boat – with a Seakeeper, it remains comfortable and safe.”
Maneuverability:
"One of my favorite features of the boat are the bow and stern thrusters," shares Jose. The bow and stern thrusters make docking the SeaPiper a breeze. "You go to a dock, in the wind or no wind, docking is so easy that it spoils you," Jose chuckles.
Fuel Efficiency:
Jose applauds the boat's economical fuel consumption. “That was one of the most important things that I was looking for when going to buy a boat. Currently, I burn about 1.2 gallons per hour. Keep in mind, Florida is very hot, so we run the generator often for our air conditioning.” On average, Jose trawls at 1700 RPMS and 6.8 knots. With the SeaPiper’s 200-gallon fuel capacity, Jose is averaging 1,020 nm. "In the SeaPiper, I go offshore as far as I did in my old speedboat, and I end up spending maybe 20 gallons of diesel," he notes, comparing it to his previous vessel that would consume 200 gallons in a weekend.
Trailerable Trawler:
With aspirations to cruise many coastlines, Jose found the SeaPiper appealing! Since the beam is only 8'6", the SeaPiper can be towed on a trailer without special permits, requiring a capable Ford-350 or more. "We towed her from Anacortes to Florida when we bought her, and it was a breeze," he says, cementing the SeaPiper 37's reputation as a true go-anywhere vessel.
Routine Maintenance:
Built with economical, do-it-yourself maintenance in mind, the SeaPiper 37 is living up to Jose’s expectations, sharing that the maintenance process for the SeaPiper 37 is very approachable and the learning curve is manageable. “We are still learning,” he shares. “We now have a routine every two weeks where we clean the strainers for the air conditioning, generator, main engine, and Seakeeper. Even though it's a small boat, I have easy access to everything. Changing the oil and filters isn't hard at all.”
Life Aboard Sofía
Jose and Vera have fully embraced the liveaboard lifestyle, calling their SeaPiper 37 home since May 2024. Their boat has become the perfect platform for diverse ocean adventures, from offshore scuba diving and spearfishing trips to leisurely coastal cruises.
The vessel's versatile layout has allowed Jose and Vera to comfortably host family and friends. One of the most distinctive features of this unique trawler is its mid-cockpit, a space they use frequently and appreciate immensely. This design element enables their family to relax outdoors while staying close during the journey. The cockpit also doubles as an ideal staging area for gear, scuba tanks, and a spot to prepare fresh fish for evening barbecues. With Florida's warm coastal weather, this outdoor area is a cherished space for both passengers and captain alike.
Inside, Jose's addition of custom cots in the pilothouse has increased the sleeping capacity, enabling them to accommodate up to eight people for extended weekend trips. Family means everything to Jose and Vera, and purchasing the SeaPiper 37, has brought the family together for magical adventures and created many beautiful memories.
An avid scuba diver with over 50 years of experience, Jose has found the SeaPiper 37 ideal for his underwater explorations. "We go offshore for scuba diving, spearfishing, and trawling with my relatives and grandkids every weekend when the weather permits," he explains. Their typical excursions involve departing on Friday afternoons, sleeping offshore about 50 miles out, and returning on Sunday.
In support of their ocean activities, Jose has customized the boat with additional fishing rod holders and a portable air compressor for refilling scuba tanks. These modifications have transformed the SeaPiper 37 into a versatile vessel that perfectly suits their active lifestyle and passion for ocean activities.
Liveaboard Challenges and Adjustment
Jose and Vera have encountered a few challenges while adjusting to full-time liveaboard life on their SeaPiper, but the support from the SeaPiper team has made a significant difference. Jose noted minor issues with the boat's door handles, which lack interior grips, making it difficult to manage the doors during offshore rolling. "We need something more sufficient inside the doors to grab and control them," he explained. Despite this, the SeaPiper team has been responsive, and always available to assist with solutions. Jose mentioned, "When I call the SeaPiper team or the service mechanic, they always answer and are very helpful."
Trailering to Safety
The ability to trailer the SeaPiper came in incredibly handy for the Henao's during Florida's hurricane season. This fall, Jose and Vera found themselves in the path of two major hurricanes: Helene (September 26) and Milton (October 9). Helene’s path remained to the west of Bradenton, where the Henao’s dock their boat, but they took precautions to protect their new home. To prepare, Jose secured Sofía with lines on all sides, keeping her stable in the slip, and removed any mounted items to shield them from the wind. He stayed onboard throughout the storm, witnessing the surge rise higher than street level. After two days, the storm passed, the sea levels receded, and the Henao’s and their SeaPiper emerged unharmed.
Unfortunately, another hurricane, Milton, soon followed, with projections placing its landfall just 20 miles south of their marina. With warnings of unprecedented damage, Jose decided to take Sofía out of the water and away from the storm’s path. He posted in the SeaPiper Facebook group, sharing, “After driving our boat in bad weather for nearly four hours, we reached a public ramp, loaded it onto its trailer, and relocated it to a safe spot in Georgia with the help of another SeaPiper owner.” After a 400-mile journey, Sofía was safely stored in the garage of SeaPiper no. 7’s owner, where both vessels weathered the storm together. As you know, Siesta Key, FL, near Milton’s landfall, suffered significant property damage. Sofía was fortunate, due not only to the generosity of another SeaPiper community member, but also it's trailerable feature, a significant advantage of this compact trawler.
Cruising & Plans for the Future
The Henao’s favorite destination so far has been Shell Key, Florida. Jose has found the SeaPiper 37 to be excellent for both coastal cruising and offshore adventures. When anchoring, Jose often finds protected spots where the Seakeepers aren't necessary, showcasing the boat's inherent stability. His methods of planning? He explains, “I always look at my chart to find a good place to anchor, and I've found some beautiful spots that are safe, protected, and close to everything. On our last trip, we went to Venice, FL.”
The SeaPiper's trailering capabilities open up a world of possibilities, and Jose has his sights set on exploring new waters. Looking ahead, Jose dreams of trailering Sofía to explore the San Juan Islands and California coast. With a Ford F-350, he feels confident in the boat's trailering capabilities, opening up a world of cruising possibilities.
SeaPiper 37 - Sofía underway off coast of Florida. Video courtesy of Jose Henao, filmed by his cousin Juan. August 2024.
Advice for Prospective Buyers
To those considering a SeaPiper, Jose's advice is clear: "Just jump and buy the boat! You won’t regret it!" He emphasizes the importance of speaking with experienced owners and planning to see the boat in person if they are on the fence. Jose's enthusiasm is contagious, echoing the sentiment of the tight-knit SeaPiper community. "We're like unofficial salespeople," he laughs. "Everyone who sees Sofía in the marina wants to know about her." Jose's journey from skeptic to enthusiastic owner underscores the SeaPiper's ability to win over even the most discerning captains.
Jose's experience offers valuable insights when considering a SeaPiper purchase. Patience is key and researching the vessel and making sure it aligns with your lifestyle and needs is very important. It's natural to feel apprehensive about such a significant investment, but comprehensive research can alleviate these fears. Additionally, the SeaPiper community is an invaluable resource, offering open and helpful insights to boost your confidence. If you are interested in seeing a SeaPiper for yourself, reach out to us and we can work with you to connect with a current owner or set up a tour at our facility. Hull 16 is currently under construction and available for purchase.
Conclusion
Jose Henao's confidence in the SeaPiper 37, born from hours of cruising and sun-drenched memories aboard Sofía, is a testament to the vessel's quality, efficiency, and versatility. From full-time living to exciting offshore adventures, Sofía has proven to be the perfect platform for Jose and Vera's nautical dreams. As they continue to explore the waters of Florida and beyond, their story serves as an inspiration for anyone considering the liveaboard lifestyle aboard a SeaPiper trawler.
The SeaPiper 37 isn't just a boat; it's a key to unlocking a life of adventure, freedom, and connection with the sea. And for Jose and Vera, Sofía carries them toward a horizon filled with endless possibilities.
Very inspiring to read. Seems like living a dream.
Very interesting and well written article.