National Fisherman

Michael_Crowley

Michael Crowley

Contributor

Michael Crowley is the former Boats & Gear editor for National Fisherman.

Author Archive

The newly launched Killshot exercises her 750-hp Volvo engine shortly after being launched at Oceanville Boatworks in Stonington, Maine. Terry Boivin photo

Maine lobstermen stick with large boats and big engines

Rozema Boatworks completed this raised-pilothouse Bristol Bay gillnetter in spring 2020. The three gillnetters currently under construction will be nearly identical. Rozema Boatworks photo

Washington boatshop is back in the game

A pair of Bristol Bay gillnetters in the early stages of construction at Peregrine Boats. Both will have raised pilothouses mounted on stanchions like those shown on the one hull. Peregrine Boats photo

Double-ender gillnet design lets reel move under wheelhouse

Petrzelka Brothers’ last commercial fishing boat was the Thunder, a 32-foot Bristol Bay gillnetter. Petrzelka Brothers photo

Wash. boatshop closing up after 44 years; boatyard specializes in aluminum crabbers

Wesmac Custom Boats launched the Sarah B, a 46-foot tuna boat, at the end of August. Wesmac Custom Boats photo

50-footers are a big seller for one Maine boatbuilder; lobster-boat races end with tugs tearing down the lane

The East Side Boat Shop launched the “Yes Dear,” a 41 Libby, for a Rockland lobsterman. East Side Boat Shop photo.

Libby boats designed to pack a lot of weight; diesel record set at Maine lobster boat races

Fred Wahl Marine Construction sponsoned and lengthened the Winona J. Fred Wahl Marine Construction photo.

Oregon yard extends a couple of crabbers; dragger and crabber repaired at Washington shop

The Lynn Marie, hitting 27 mph, beat Hook & Ladder at the Long Island races Aug. 21, 2021. Jon Johansen photo.

It’s a wrap for 2021 lobster boat race season

At Boothbay, Heather Thompson in Gold Digger, a Wayne Beal 36 with a 675-hp Scania, wins the Diesel Class J race — 551 to 700 hp, 36 feet and over — hitting 43.9 mph. Jon Johansen photo.

It’s time to put everything on the line for Maine’s lobster boat racing season

Bue Eyed Girl in the lead at the 2021 Maine Lobster Boat Races at Pemaquid. Jon Johansen photo

Lobster Boat Race winner takes home new engine