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

After 44 years of building, repairing, finishing off and outfitting commercial fishing boats, Petrzelka Brothers (Joel, Jon and Paul) in Mt. Vernon, Wash., has completed its last commercial fishing boat. The only boat left in the shop is a pleasure boat that will be completed by the end of the year. And when that’s gone, the doors will be shut for good. That last fishing boat was the Thunder, a 32' x 19' Bristol Bay gillnetter built by Madden Metal Works in Bellingham, Wash. The Thunder has a…