An article from WorkBoat Magazine November 2003
By Bruce Buls
The bad news is that a Victoria, B.C. Shipyard that dates back to 1873 went dark this past summer. The good news is that a new owner has leased the city-owned water front facility. However, a deal must still be struck with former employees of Point Hope Maritime, the previous owner. Point Hope had done primarily repair work, although it also fabricated aluminum sections for the BC Ferries’ PacificCat boats. Earlier in the year, the yard also delivered a new 72’ aluminum pilot boat for the Pacific Pilotage Authority, Vancouver B.C. The yard facilities include a 200-ton floating dry dock and an 800-ton marine railway.
Perhaps if the new yard gets up and running, it could build the North Pacific26, a design developed in part by Al Lindstrom of Port Townsend, Washington. Lindstrom is looking for builders for his patented high-speed design. His 26’ prototype is powered by a pair of Mercury 225-hp four strokes that push the experimental boat upwards of 60 knots. Featuring a bottom the Lindstrom defines as “surface effect with hydrosponsons”, the prototype has been tested by Chip Hanauer, a man who knows his speed boats. A seven-time unlimited hydroplane national champion and a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame, Hanauer said, “I was very impressed, and I don’t get impressed very often. First, the way it comes out of the hole. Typically with that much weight hanging off the back of the boat, like those 2 big 225s, the bow goes up into the air, the stern digs a big hole, and the props cavitate before you’re really up and going down the road. This one seems to do it like no boat I’ve ever seen. It just stayed level and left. There didn’t seem to be a transition that was truly identifiable between being stopped to being on a proper plane. The other thing is the transition the other way. Normally when you pull off the throttles hard, you get a big slap in the rear end from the hole you’ve been digging. We were going maybe 60, and I pulled back the throttled and virtually nothing comes back and hits you in the transom. It just settles down.” Given the complicated shape of the bottom, Lindstrom wants to build the bottom from composites that would be bound to aluminum side plates and transoms. Lindstrom also said that he believes the bottom design would be appropriate for larger boats and even barges. For more information, check out Lindstrom’s Website at www.northpacificmarine.com.
Patented hull of the North Pacific 26 provides speed and stability
The Manitowoc Company Inc.’s Bay Shipbuilding Co. subsidiary has been awarded a contract from Moran Towing Corp., Greenwich, Conn., to build two ocean-class, double-hull, hot-oil tank barges. The first barge is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2004, and the second in the second quarter of 2005. Each 110,000-bbl. Barge will measure 435’ X 78’ and will be configured with 10 cargo compartments serviced by three diesel-driven, deep-well cargo pumps. The barges will also feature a stern notch and an Intercon coupling system, which will link the units to Moran tugs. In addition, the barges will be equipped with an onboard heating system to maintain consistent cargo temperatures of 135ºF. Both vessels will be ABS, U.S. Coast Guard, and OPA-90 compliant. “This contract award is another indication that the pace of orders for the OPA “90-class vessels is increasing,” said Dennis McCloskey, president of Manitowoc’s Marine Group.