Bill Hammer News

Woodinville, WA-9 Dec. 2008- Captain Rodney McVicker is the second West Coast longliner to install Wesmar stabilizers - a set of Wesmar 16-foot roll fin stabilizers on his 61-foot F/V Sundancer. McVicker says his Wesmar stabilizers provide more comfort and lessen fatigue for his crew. The three month albacore season, running from end of June to October, requires McVicker and his crew to constantly travel at sea each day. McVicker learned about Wesmar stabilizers when Bill Hammer, owner of the F/V Silver Lady, recommended them.

When fisherman Bill Hammer installed Wesmar’s Roll Fin Stabilizers on his 56-foot Longliner, it was the first known installation of an active fin stabilization system on a fishing vessel anywhere in the world. Hammer estimates that the stabilizers saves him 10-15% in fuel costs, saying with the stabilizers he can back off the throttle by about 100-150 RPM and still maintain his original speed, therefore increasing efficiency. “By maintaining full boat speed in rough water conditions, fishing boats are more efficient and safer.