Full Speed Ahead!
Local Boat Builders Establishing Niches

by Dave Brumbaugh

 

It wasn’t that long ago when commercial fishing drove the local boating industry. Fishing and crab vessels were purchased, serviced, repaired and stocked with supplies in Bellingham and Blaine.

But, as the number of commercial fishing vessels has declined, several companies have weathered choppy waters by specializing in catamarans and recreational and charter boats. But the biggest surprise comes from a Bellingham company, whose boats suddenly became in demand from various government agencies after Sept. 11.

Aluminum Chambered Boats of Bellingham, headed by Larry Wieber, is looking for a second production facility after recently gaining a contract from the Navy. He also is expecting orders from the Marine Corps, Coast Guard and even other countries.

“We will be shipping boats all over the world for the military,” says an exuberant Wieber.

Aluminum Chambered Boats (ACB) has been making aluminum boats for some rescue and enforcement agencies, as well as recreational and charter users. But after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the four-year-old company came to the attention of Congressman George Nethercutt of Spokane, who sits on a military appropriations subcommittee in the House of Representatives. Nethercutt was so impressed that he took information to key military officials, who wanted ACB to modify its 26-foot boat — immediately. ACB then began working with engine-maker Bombardier

Military officials like the boat for rapid-response situations and harbor patrols because of its speed, maneuverability, ease of handling, stability, durability and payload capacity, according to Troy Talbot, customer service manager for ACB. It also is easily pulled with a trailer.

The boat can easily reach 60 mph and even cruise at 53 mph through six-foot seas with a crew of 12. It has proven virtually impossible to overturn despite numerous attempts in rigorous tests by the military.

“When the military guys come off the boat, they say one word: unbelievable,” says a beaming Wieber.

With help from Congressman George Nethercutt of Spokane, who attended the city’s North Central High School with Wieber, the company cleared the paperwork hurdles of the General Services Administration and began dealing with various branches of the military.

“When we were declared ‘urgent mission essential’ by the Navy, that really sped things along,” Wieber says.

ACB produced 70 boats last year but Wieber estimates the company with make 120 this year. With the sudden increase in demand, ACB is looking for a second production facility, likely near Spokane, Wieber says.

ACB currently employs about 35 people and leases a 30,000-square-foot warehouse in Fairhaven from the Port of Bellingham. But there isn’t enough space available to handle a sudden surge in orders.

“We’d like to expand here as much as we can but we are going to have to get more facilities,” Wieber remarks.

 

Catamarans catching on

All American Marine has been a leading manufacturer of commercial fishing vessels for Alaska’s Bristol Bay and Cordova fisheries since 1987, when it was founded in Bellingham by owner Pat Pitsch. The company began to diversify into additional product lines in 1999, including vessels for sport-fishing charter operations. But its biggest splash came in the market of fast catamarans for tours and cruises.

All American Marine (AAM) developed a working relationship with a Teknicraft Design of New Zealand, gaining access to its power catamaran designs on an exclusive basis among West Coast vessel builders.

In February, AAM launched its 10th Teknicraft catamaran, a 72-foot-long vessel being used for whale-watching tours and other functions along the Southern California coast. The boat displaces 118,200 pounds when full and can accommodate 149 passengers and three crew members. It can travel at more than 50 mph, which the new owner says will cut the travel time of his 25-mile trips between Santa Barbara and the Channel Islands from three hours to one hour.

“These vessels are truly the next generation in catamaran design, optimizing speed, comfort, safety and economy,” says Matt Mullett, AAM’s chief executive officer.

AAM also has built a catamaran last year for Bellingham-based San Juan Island Shuttle Express.

 

Longtime manufacturer

Sea Sport Boats of Bellingham has a long history of making boats for fishermen, although its target is the recreational boater. Founded by Frank Wright in 1955 as Wright Manufacturing, Sea Sport Boats was acquired in September 2000 by Marine Services NW. The company is owned by the Lindout family of Bellingham, which still owns BoonDocks Boats & Motors at Squalicum Harbor.

Sea Sport produces about 100 boats a year at its plant along the Guide Meridian, just north of Horton Road. Sea Sport offers 12 models, ranging in size from 22 feet to 32 feet in length, and recently introduced a new 30-foot model.