National Fisherman

Boats & Gear

The Sea Princess sponsoring is nearly completed. The bow has been extended; the hull was reframed and most of the new hull plating is in place. Giddings Boatworks photo.

Michael_Crowley

Sponsoning is steady work at Giddens Boatworks

Michael Crowley

Tor Bendiksen, owner of Reidar’s Manufacturing, Captain Mark Phillips, and Dr. Pingguo He of UMass Dartmouth hold four sections of helix twine joined to make a mesh. Bendiksen continues to design the right self-spreading net for East Coast fishermen. Phot

New helix twine net enhances efficiency and reduces bycatch

Paul Molyneaux

In the Fastest Lobster Boat race, Maria’s Nightmare II leads Black Diamond and La Bella Vita. Maria’s Nightmare II won, Black Diamond dropped out, leaving La Bella Vita in second place. Jon Johansen photo.

Michael_Crowley

Record-setting fleet at Winter Harbor wraps up Maine Lobster Boat Racing

Michael Crowley

Ecomotus, a UK company, has developed a hydrogen electrolyzer that enables diesel engines to burn fuel thoroughly and cleanly. They have equipped almost 40 boats—more than 20 fishing boats.

Ecomotus' EcoPro: Reducing fuel costs for UK fishermen

Paul Molyneaux

Ken and Linda Bates circle a school of anchovies with their lampara net in Humboldt Bay, near Eureka, California, and prepare to haul the set back aboard the 32-foot F/V Ironic. Photo by Cloudburst Fishing

Crafting the perfect lampara net for California’s evolving bait fishery

Paul Molyneaux

Built in 1992 for gillnetting herring, the F/V Ironic was rigged for fishing a lampara net for anchovies. The 32-foot fiberglass over plywood Ironic can also be rigged for salmon trolling. Photo by Ken Bates

Boat of the Month: F/V Ironic

Paul Molyneaux

The GenTech hydraulic generator developed by Erling Skaar, Dr. Odd Arild Olsen, and the GenTech team has been available since 2013. It provides fishing vessel owners with a cost-effective means of increasing the efficiency of a vessel’s main engine and re

Two companies, two approaches: Innovating power capture and wear reduction for gensets

Paul Molyneaux

The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Oliver Henry visits with residents of Satawal, after safely returning six rescued fishermen and their 22-foot fiberglass boat to the community on Aug. 18. Photo by Ryder Nollan / U.S. Coast Guard

Rescue of six fishermen shows importance of personal locator beacons

Carli Stewart

Suzuki makes a good engine, no doubt, and with a commitment to efficiency and the ocean's health. Still, one of the things that makes these engines popular with commercial fishermen on Kodiak Island is the service they get from Water’s Edge Marine.

Kodiak fishermen choose Suzuki outboards for reliable service

Paul Molyneaux

In the Diesel Free-for-All, the Regency is trying to keep pace with Lil’ Lisa Maria and Mean Kathleen. Lil’ Lisa Maria won at 42 mph, Mean Kathleen took second and Regency placed fourth. Jon Johansen photo.

Michael_Crowley

Maine Lobster Boat Racing heads toward home stretch

Michael Crowley

Having worked on most of the major makes of marine engines from 1-hp Yanmar to a slow speed 100K-hp MAN, Karl Pettersen chose a 730-hp MAN I6 for his Bristol Bay boat, the Skitt Fiske. Photo by Karl Pettersen

Fishermen's favorite diesel engines and the crucial role of service

Paul Molyneaux