September 3, 2024
Boat of the Month: F/V Ironic
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
Some of the most interesting commercial fishing vessels on the water are owner-built. The design and functionality of a fishing vessel that moves from imagination to final form through the work of the people who will take it to sea are almost always unique. Along those lines, the F/V Ironic, built by Ken Bates in Eureka, California, is a one-off.
“It’s an old boat,” says Bates. “I built it over 30 years ago. It’s fiberglass over plywood. All my boats are.” Initially built for gillnetting…
You've caught the limit!
Free membership gives you access to:
- Unrestricted access to all NationalFisherman.com articles.
- Receive in-depth reports and research on various topics related to the fishing industry.
- Up-to-date news updates from the fishing industry delivered directly to your inbox twice a week.
Paul Molyneaux is the Boats & Gear editor for National Fisherman.
