I purchased the down on her luck 1927 fishboat for $1.00 from the Port of Bellingham in 2006, rescuing it before the boat was crushed and thrown into a dumpster. I knew she was a wreck, but even in her decrepit condition her classic sea-kindly lines could not be missed. Though we acquired the boat with virtually no records of her origins, over the years we have pieced together some of her history. We discovered that after immigrating from Norway, this was one of the first fish boats that young Andrew Berg designed and built in his yard on Seattle’s Duwamish Waterway. He went on to found the Berg Shipyard in Blaine in 1942. There they churned out fishing vessels, mine sweepers and other military vessels during WWII. Records found aboard verified that the boat had been licensed in fisheries from San Diego to Anchorage. Jason Dennis, the son of previous owner Larry Dennis found us and Olive Oyl in an article on the Internet and recognized the boat he had fished on at age 8. Photo of Larry Dennis on the boat is included.

Gear on the boat showed that at various times she had outrigger poles, a cockpit aft, longliner gear, a crabbing derrick and even a bow picker roller. What stories she could tell of life fishing the Pacific Coast!

Hull Construction

This vessel is essentially a 2011 cold molded boat built over a 1927 commercial fishing boat hull.  Jon Lopez is the owner and builder, and is a well-respected shipwright. First, the original hull was made sound by replacement of any suspect wood and sistering of the framing, then a new hull constructed of three layers of 3/8” Okoume plywood set in epoxy was built around this form. The decks were built of two layers of 3/8” Okoume plywood set in epoxy over timber deck beams, and the pilothouse and cabins built of marine plywood over wood framing. All of the exterior surfaces are finished to a high standard, with attention to detail evident. Exterior equipment was sourced from historic vessels, or constructed new, including a hydraulic reel type anchor windlass, powder coated aluminum handrails, skylight hatches, a radar mast with lifting boom with two electric winches, and an aft steering station. The engine was removed for a complete rebuilding by a reputable marine diesel shop. Refurnished running gear and bearings were accurately installed. A new electrical system was neatly installed by a professional marine electrician. New plumbing systems, tankage and appliances were installed to ABYC standards. Finally, a finely constructed and comfortable interior was designed and installed, and finished to a high standard. The result is a vessel that has the efficient hull form of an early 20th century fishing boat, but with the water tightness and strength of a cold molded boat, and the reliability, fit and finish of a professionally constructed custom built yacht with modern systems. 

Details:
Hull cold molded with three layers of 3/8” Okoume plywood bedded in West System epoxy on original planking. Framing is laminated wood frames spaced approximately 12”. The keel is original timber with 2” x 7” power coated steel keel shoe.

Superstructure:
Deck is two layers of 3/8” Okoume plywood bedded in West System epoxy on timber deck beams. Cabin sides and tops are marine plywood on wood framing.

Propulsion:

Single marinized diesel Izusu 500, 110 hp, professionally rebuilt. 1028 hours since rebuild. Cruising speed 7 knots. 220 gallons diesel.