Fishing Back When - Written by past contributor, Bob Bernstein, from the May 1989 edition of National Fisherman.
Duffy & Duffy Fiberglass Boats Inc. in Brooklin, Maine, recently announced plans to begin production of a new 48' Spencer Lincoln design. The yard's Richard Duffy says the vessel is slated to replace the current Duffy & Duffy 50, and he says it will have longer running surfaces and a smoother finish. "It's a boat I've been thinking about for two years," says Duffy.
North End Marine and Fiberglass Engineering Inc. of Rockland, Maine, will build the plug and mold. According to Duffy, it's the first time he's let a job like this outside the shop. But he's quite comfortable with his decision. North End's reputation for quality manufacturing is among the best in the industry, and more and more builders of both semi-custom and production boats are turning work over to the outfit all the time.
Duffy says he isn't going to worry about a molded cap until after a few one-offs have been completed. Currently, the yard has an order for a 48' combination lobster boat/ dragger. Although details have yet to be finalized, there will most likely be a Caterpillar or Detroit engine in the 400- to 500-h.p. range, a fish hold, and a couple of lobster tanks. With a 500-h.p. power plant, Duffy expects the 48 to reach a top speed of around 16 knots and cruise speed of about 13 to 14 knots. A 1,000-h.p. diesel is expected to drive her at around 25 knots. Construction of the boat will probably start in June or July, with a launch around the first of November.
In addition to the single screw, full keel and skeg version, there will be a plug insert for a twin-engine model. With two Detroit 8-92TAs at 650 h.p. to 735 h.p. apiece, the twin-screwed version should have a good turn of speed, somewhere around 30 knots,
Duffy estimates.
Duffy says the yard is finishing a 42' head boat for a New Hampshire operator and adds that there are three special-purpose boats scheduled for this summer. The latter are designed for medical and emergency service off the coast of Chile, running supplies and personnel to and from offshore seiners.
Further south
In eastern Long Island, an aluminum boatbuilder is finishing construction of a new research vessel. Tom Carney, president of Thomas Marine in Patchogue, says the State of New York Parks Commission will be getting one of his 28' x 9' x 30' Explorer models. With 3/16"' plate on 2"' x 2" x 1/4' frames, 1" plate aluminum keel and full-length, half-pipe spray and guard rails (2" x 1/4'" at the chine, 3"' x 1/4" midway to the sheer), the craft will have rugged work boat styling as well as good speed.
The hull is sheathed in 5086 aluminum plate, while the house and cuddy are mostly 5052 and 6061 extrusions. Power will be provided by a Cummins 6BT5.9M diesel delivering 210 h.p. at 2,600 r.p.m. Because the state anticipates extensive cold-weather operation, the boat has a dry stack and keel-cooler arrangement instead of a heat exchanger and wet exhaust. As an added bonus for the crew, engine water will be piped to defrost the windows and heat the pilothouse. Carney intends to match the engine to a 1.5:1 reduction gear, a 1-1/2'' Aquamet shaft and a 20'' x 22" wheel. Cruising speed is expected to be around 20 knots.
Carney says the parks commission will be engaging in some trawling and sampling, as indicated by the 1,000-lb. capacity, stern-mounted A-frame (made of 3" Schedule 40 pipe), Ideal windlass and the raised engine box, which will double as a stand-up work station. Some other features of the boat include a 3" Duramax FanNose fender around the sheer, 140-gal. fuel capacity in two tanks and a transom door.
According to Carney, the Explorer model can be customized to suit various applications. Recently, one went to Guam rigged as a sportfisherman. Others have been built for oil pollution control, harbor work, rescue and towing, passenger service and commercial fishing. Though the Explorers have kept the yard busy the last two years, it isn't the only design available. Thomas Marine builds boats for almost any application in sizes ranging from 20' to 50'.
Meanwhile, at D.N. Kelley and Sons Shipyard in Fairhaven, Mass., the 70' scalloper Lisa Marie is on the railways. In addition to sanding and painting the hull, the Kelley crew is giving the Lisa Marie a new Kort nozzle, some new plating, and a telescopic shaft alignment.
The yard also has two of the Dolphin fleet's whale-watching boats high and dry for topside refitting and routine maintenance. The Providence, R.I.-based, 110' sisterships are getting a profile change with the addition of new upper-deck side panels and the remounting of safety gear and life rafts. Also underway is the restoration of a circa 1900 Navy steam ferry.
