In Shag Harbour, Nova Scotia, lobster fishing is both a legacy and a livelihood. For Captain Curtis Halliday, a career commercial lobsterman and long-time ZF customer, it’s also deeply personal.

“I have salt in my blood. This isn’t a job, it’s a lifestyle,” says Halliday in ZF’s latest blog series—a four-part behind-the-scenes look into his world, his custom vessel Haul A Day, and the ZF propulsion system that helps power it all.

The series, available on ZF’s website, explores Halliday’s hands-on approach to the demanding life of commercial fishing, his self-built boat, and the gear that keeps him on the water through long, frigid, and often unpredictable days at sea.

A Legacy Anchored in Grit

Curtis and his crew are their busiest from November through May, during the official commercial lobster season. In the early months, days begin well before dawn—often around 2:00 a.m.—and stretch into 60-hour work weeks depending on the weather and the biomass of lobster.

During prime hauling periods, Curtis and his crew stay out overnight, rotating shifts to maximize productivity. Comforts on board include a microwave, oven, slow cooker, fridge, and generator-powered electricity. “We basically have all the accommodations you have at home,” he says. But sleep comes in short windows. Curtis often takes on the overnight watches himself to make sure his team is rested and sharp for the next day’s haul.

It’s an intense, all-consuming lifestyle. That’s why Curtis swears by ZF’s propulsion systems to help keep operations safe and efficient, no matter the conditions.

Building Haul A Day

In 2020, Halliday built his own boat from the ground up—a 39' 11" x 24'-wide vessel he fittingly named Haul A Day. A clever nod to both his profession and his surname, it’s more than just wordplay. Haul A Day represents decades of experience, smart decision-making, and a touch of family legacy—Curtis’s daughter helped build it during a summer break from college.

When it came to outfitting the boat, Curtis chose gear he could trust. He installed a ZF W325 transmission paired with a 3.5:1 reduction gear and ZF propeller, all connected to a QSM11 Cummins 400HP engine, complete with an onboard genset. ZF engineers worked closely with Curtis to customize the setup to Haul A Day’s unique specs.

“I even tested the ZF propeller,” Halliday recalls. “I was able to go faster at lower RPMs—and maintain it—with less vibration and noise, which can scare fish away. The package was efficient, consumed less fuel, and was much smoother than the other options.”

Reliability When It Matters Most

The icy waters of the North Atlantic are characterized by rough seas, sub-zero temperatures, and unpredictable weather, all taking a toll on both crew and equipment.

That’s where Halliday says ZF gear proves its worth.

“My ZF gear doesn’t have downtime. If it isn’t reliable, then I’m missing out on my industry. Having this gear paired with my engine gives me peace of mind,” he explains.

With live wells holding up to 12,000 gallons of seawater and thousands of pounds of lobster, Haul A Day experiences dramatic changes in weight and buoyancy. At full capacity, the vessel sits six inches lower in the water, but Halliday says his propulsion setup remains rock steady.

“The ZF gear responds well to the varying weight of the boat and the current conditions. The propulsion system maintains boat operations despite the massive weight.”

For fishermen looking to replicate that kind of rugged reliability, look for ZF’s W340 transmission, the newest version that replaces the W325. Built specifically for commercial workboats and fishing vessels, the W340 includes ZF’s Supershift2 technology for smooth shifting and precise clutch control. With a cast iron build, broad compatibility with propulsion 

types, and an emergency “get home” capability, it’s designed for the same kind of demands Halliday faces every day.

Prepared for the Unpredictable

Having dependable propulsion and control systems on board becomes a critical line of defense when facing unpredictable offshore conditions. Halliday knows firsthand how quickly things can go wrong. He has witnessed life-threatening situations unfold in real-time, yet through his experience, knows how to prepare and react swiftly and safely. His choice of ZF gear is part of that strategy.

To explore his journey, the surprising realities of lobstering in Nova Scotia, and why ZF is his go-to gear, read Curtis’s riveting story at ZF’s blog.