National Fisherman

Boats & Gear

Orchestra and Elera will help keep fishermen connected.

Mesh connect: Inmarsat weaves networks for faster connectivity

Brian Hagenbuch

Buck Laukitis drives the Halcyon with the 630-hp Mitsubishi S6R for reliability and efficiency in remote regions of Alaska. Hatton Marine photo

Mitsubishi preserves the mechanical engine option

Brian Hagenbuch

A pair of Bristol Bay gillnetters in the early stages of construction at Peregrine Boats. Both will have raised pilothouses mounted on stanchions like those shown on the one hull. Peregrine Boats photo

Michael_Crowley

Double-ender gillnet design lets reel move under wheelhouse

Michael Crowley

NF_Sept_20_Market_ATL_Groundfish_NOAA trawl net — Groundfish trawl. NOAA photo.

Video: Lights help salmon escape trawl nets

Laine Welch

The Smoky Point barely touches the water when planing without a load. Built by Peregrine boats, the vessel has twin UltraJet 340 HT jets powered by Cummins QSC 3.8 engines. Quinn Selitsch photo

MJP’s UltraJets help power Alaska’s gillnet fleet, seine skiffs

Brian Hagenbuch

This Hill Innovations Hi600, installed on a newbuild in late November 2021, has a 24-inch impeller that provides maximum thrust at midrange speeds. Jason Hill photo

Uplifting: Jet power moves fish fast

Paul Molyneaux

The F/V Highlander hits the water with a twin Hi500 water jets ready to get the vessel to the grounds in reasonable time, and get up on plane when returning with fish. Bay Welding photo

The unlikely engineer who makes a favorite Bristol Bay water jet

Paul Molyneaux

The Dark Star caught fire at Journey’s End Marina in Rockland, Maine. Stephen Betts photo

On fire and foundered: A rough week for East Coast commercial fishing boats

Jessica Hathaway

To the tender and back to the line in no time. Elliott Bay Design Group photo

New Bristol Bay boat packs a punch

Brian Hagenbuch

The crew of the F/V Devotion easily handles a lightweight CodCoil pot with live blackcod. Ryan Johnson photo

Fishermen give feedback on gear innovations

Guest Author

Petrzelka Brothers’ last commercial fishing boat was the Thunder, a 32-foot Bristol Bay gillnetter. Petrzelka Brothers photo

Michael_Crowley

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

Michael Crowley