National Fisherman

Boats & Gear

An Alaska Wildlife Trooper patrol boat on Bristol Bay. The AWT will be measuring boats in 2023 and working with fishermen to bring all vessels into compliance with the 32-foot limit. AWT photo.

Measuring up in Bristol Bay

Paul Molyneaux

Bill Keeling, above, built his first deadrise workboat in 1976. At age 77, he has started a new 42-footer at his boat shop in Mathews County, Va. Larry Chowning photo.

Larry_Chowning

Virginia boatbuilder, 77 years young, at work on new deadrise

Larry Chowning

At the Boothbay races in the Diesel Free For All, with the cruise ship American Constitution as a back drop, La Belle Vita (left), Maria’s Nightmare II (center) and Blue Eyed Girl fight for 1st place. At the end, Maria’s Nightmare won at 57.5 mph. Jon Jo

2023 Maine Lobster Boat Races schedule

Carli Stewart

Quarters are tight in each of Taylored Boats two boatbuilding shops but even in the preliminary stages there’s a good sense there will be enough deck space for 200 lobster traps when Taiyored Boats finishes this 46-foot lobster boat. Taylored Boats photo.

Michael_Crowley

Maine boat builder resists the rubber-deck trend

Michael Crowley

While Starlink’s expanded coverage to the Bering Sea was not yet rolled out as expected in January 2023, two Bering sea trawlers rigged up with the system anyway to be ready when the signals become available. Network Innovations photo.

Starlink's marine satellite system opens up new, speedy data transfer for vessel operators

Paul Molyneaux

The 34’ x 11’ Cobra fishes multiple fisheries off Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula. Crozier Craft photo.

Michael_Crowley

New boat does it all on waters off Washington’s Olympic Peninsula

Michael Crowley

The Emilie Virginia is presently up on the hard at Crown Pointe Marina in Hayes, Va., getting a new bottom, stern and pilothouse. She is shown here with her captain and owner Peyton Mason. Photo by Jimmy John Hunley.

Larry_Chowning

Virginia waterman needs his classic wooden boats ‘just to keep up with the work.’

Larry Chowning

Aboard Spiny lobsterman Chris Dabney's boat at Channel Islands Harbor, California — Aboard Spiny Lobsterman Chris Dabney's H&H Marine boat at the Channel Islands Harbor in California

Six marine safety devices that could save a fisherman

Megan Waldrep

The 70' Columbia is shown here with three other Conn. boats that were brought south to Chesapeake Bay, three of which will work in the State of Maryland's Oyster Replenishment Program. Photo by Benny Horseman.

Larry_Chowning

New homes on Chesapeake Bay for Connecticut oyster schooners

Larry Chowning

The 90-foot dragger Francis Dawn, recently re-christened as the Nobska, was built at Fairhaven Shipyard and designed by Farrell & Farrell Naval Architects. Steve Kennedy photo.

Blue Harvest acquires new 90-foot groundfish dragger

Kirk Moore

Freshly inserted cotton corking is easily visible between the Terron’s hull planks. It’s the first time the 95-year-old crabber and blackcod boat's planking — originally built wood-to-wood —needed to be corked. David Peterson photo.

Michael_Crowley

After 95 years, a California crabber gets tightened up

Michael Crowley