From the inner islands of the Puget Sound to the shoreline of the West Coast, the Baxter family has been fishing the waters of the Pacific Northwest for generations. As a fourth-generation fisherman, Jayme Baxter knows how critical it is to have a vessel that can take on the ever-changing conditions of the open waters, no matter the season. So when it came time for a new boat, he turned to the experts at Rozema Boat Works to design and build the custom fishing vessel of his dreams.

Dream Boat
Having previously owned four other boats, Baxter knew exactly what he was looking for in his new custom fishing boat. Based in Bellingham, Washington, he fishes Dungeness crab and shrimp. His fishing operation runs year-round, with the crabbing season taking place in the fall and winter and shrimping season taking place during the late spring and summer. With such a diversified operation, Baxter needed a boat that could operate under a variety of conditions. 

Knowing there was only one crew up for the job, Baxter reached out to the team at Rozema Boat Works, a three-generation family-owned company. Rozema Boat Works designs and builds a diverse fleet of custom vessels, including fishing boats, oil spill response units, work boats, and tugs.

"For something as versatile as what I wanted built, I was confident only Rozema could take it on," says Baxter. "There is no second-best boat builder in this area close to Rozema and the quality they offer. Everybody on that crew takes pride in their work and it comes through."

A Need for Speed and Power
Baxter came to Rozema Boat Works looking for a custom fishing boat that would provide the speed, power, and efficiency needed to fish both along the shoreline, where weather conditions can get rough, and in the inner islands of the Puget Sound, where he has a lot of distance to cover. After meeting with Baxter, the Rozema Boat Works team determined the engine package required to meet the weight, size, and power requirements for the boat. 

Rozema Boat Works reached out to its long-time collaborator and engine distributor Cascade Engine Center, the John Deere marine engine distributor for Washington, Oregon, California, Alaska, and Hawaii, for input. Rozema Boat Works and Cascade Engine Center have been working together for more than 20 years. After the two consulted, Rozema Boat Works landed on twin John Deere 6090SFM85 marine propulsion engines rated 550 hp (410 kW) at 2500 rpm coupled to Twin Disc 5086A marine transmissions. 

"This particular engine was determined to have the best combination of horsepower, weight, size, and fuel economy for this hull design and this particular commercial application," says Tim Sandeman, vice president of operations at Cascade Engine Center. 

The Rozema team was impressed by the versatility of the twin-engine package. The 6090SFM85 marine propulsion engine offers high torque for excellent vessel control and maneuverability, while the low propulsion rpm helps keep vibration and noise at a comfortable level for the crew. 

"We have a long history of working with Cascade and John Deere engines and were confident in the power and reliability that this twin-engine package offers to power a vessel that operates across such different fisheries and conditions," says Dirk Rozema, president of Rozema Boat Works. "Other benefits of going with a John Deere engine are not only the technical support we received from Cascade but also the availability of the John Deere service network up and down the coast."

A Legacy Passed On
After confirming the design and engine package, Rozema Boat Works got to work — and in just under a year, the vessel was ready for its maiden voyage. It includes living quarters that can accommodate up to four people, plus amenities like a stove, refrigerator, freezer, and heat to make it a comfortable stay.

"It is everything I wanted. It is a very comfortable boat for living aboard if I need to but it is also a fast boat to get me home in a single day trip," says Baxter.

When it came time to christen his new vessel, Baxter already had a name in mind.

"I named the new boat The Contender, which was the name of the last boat my grandpa had," says Baxter. "He is one of my biggest inspirations and I wanted to honor him and the legacy he has passed on."

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