Gillnetters News

One of the United States’ largest and most productive heavy-gauge aluminum boat builders has been humming along at its recently expanded manufacturing facility in Roseburg, Ore.Last spring, North River Boats added a new 33,750 square foot manufacturing building to house all commercial and large boat recreational fabrication. Additional remodeling of the existing factory was completed shortly after to expand small boat fabrication. The yard relocation of its canvas/upholstery shop and received new paint preparation bays…

In an era of increasingly complicated regulations and sophisticated technologies disrupting the workboat sector, one piece of the equipment – the Keel Cooler – remains as possibly the most important and at the same time, the simplest piece of hardware on the water. Likewise, much the same way as it was more than 70 years ago, Fernstrum remains the standard. For today’s workboat sector, the most pressing issue facing operators is arguably comprised of meeting and paying for the advent of so-called ‘Tier’ emissions standards. The American subset of 5,500 towboats additionally faces the subchapter M towboat rules and new requirements for hardware installation and physical construction. The one thing they shouldn’t have to worry about is engine cooling solutions.

Merger positions combined company to play a dominant role in recapitalization of North Pacific fishing fleet and emerging Arctic oil gas operations. Kvichak Marine Industries and Vigor Industrial today announced the companies are merging to unite their strengths in the design and fabrication of aluminum workboats, shipbuilding, and boat building. Under the terms of the merger, Kvichak will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Vigor. Kvichak’s current owners (Jim Meckley, Brian Thomas and Keith Whittemore) will join Vigor as shareholders and as members of the leadership team. “My partners and I are very excited to be joining Vigor. Sharing best ideas and practices across companies will make us even more competitive and create a more stable business base for our workers…

Kvichak Marine Industries, Inc. announced the start of a production run of 32’ Bristol Bay Gillnetters for the 2015 season. This new, top house design all-aluminum 32’ x 16’ jet propelled gillnetter is a product of the Kvichak design team and will be powered by twin Volvo D11 EVEC-E engines rated for 510 BHP coupled to ZF 305-3 marine gears and  Hamilton HJ364 water jets. This fresh design will combine shallow draft capability with short transit times to the line, and the ability to maintain planning speed when partially loaded. The unique top house arrangement maximizes creature comforts while maintaining a large efficient working deck.

Bob Henry (age 61), vice president and founder of Bay Marine, Inc. died December 18, 2003. Although Henry suffered from heart disease for years and more recently, from Parkinson’s disease, he battled back and was working nearly full time. Henry, a boat builder from a young age, completed his first at age 11. At 16, he built his own boat and cruised from Essex, Conn. to Lake Champlain. After graduating from the Webb Institute, Henry worked for Gladding Hearn Shipbuilding and Jack Gilbert before landing a job managing the Matton Shipyard in Cohoes, NY at the eastern end of the Erie Canal. In the early 70’s, he moved to Rhode Island with his wife Kathy and two young sons, Shawn and Seth where he went on to manage the Blount shipyard. In 1975, he started Bay Marine, Inc.

After a slower year, the order book at All American Marie has rebounded. Together with charter and other boats, the firm has expanded their Ferndale, Wash. operations with a separate facility at South Bellingham. Currently under construction for March and April deliveries are four 32-ft. Bristol Bay style bow-pickers. One, for Greg Synner, will have a 12.5-ft. beam while two, for Al Agustus and Pat West will carry 14-ft. beams. The fourth boat, with a 13-ft. beam, will be built for Steve Lewis as a stern picker. All four boats will be powered by a pair of 315 hp Cummins six-cylinder B-series marine diesels with 5.9-liter displacement. The engines will drive the new model 274 Hamilton jets which have the same 10.5-in.

After a slower year, the order book at All American Marine has rebounded. Together with charter and other boats, the firm has expanded their Ferndale, Wash. operations with a separate facility at South Bellingham. Currently under construction for March and April deliveries are four 32-ft. Bristol Bay style bow-pickers. One, for Greg Synner, will have a 12.5-ft. beam while two, for Al Agustus and Pat West will carry 14-ft. beams. The fourth boat, with a 13-ft. beam, will be built for Steve Lewis as a stern picker. All four boats will be powered by a pair of 315 hp Cummins six-cylinder B-series marine diesels with 5.9-liter displacement. The engines will drive the new model 274 Hamilton jets which have the same 10.5-in.