Scotland
2012-08-11 15:05:56
I would very much appreciate any advice you all could give. Let me introduce and give you my fishing history. I am a Scotsman who fished the Bering sea and SE AK for 15 years. Some crabbing but mostly Longline along the Aleutian chain and Gulf, one season I was at sea or doing turn-around in Dutch Harbor for 11 months, usual was 7 months. Spent 4 seasons Trolling for Kings and Cohos in SE, that was my summer break, loved it. Also did a few longline trips off the coast of washington. Lived in the apartment above the Lockspot Bar. I was a member of the Deep sea fishermans union of the deep Pacific. Fished on the Schooner Republic with Duie Torgensen among many other big and small boats. I engineered for years, replacement skipper on Blue ice but deck work I enjoyed most. Love being on the sea. Stopped fishing in 1999 due to back injury. Currently back living in Scotland but hold US citizenship. I am now 50 years young and life is just begining.
Well I will be looking to fulfill my life's ambition and buy an Alaskan Troll permit and a boat. My youngest son is now 13 and I will be looking to buy in 2 years time when he can travel alone. I will have 90 -100K to spend for both permit and boat. To be realistic I would be looking for a wood boat of 42', traditional deep draft west coast Troller with ice hold in good to very good shape, truly turn-key preferably with enough troll gear to see me through first season. I see that permit prices and also boat prices are inflated at the moment, as I have been watching market for a long time.
I have three questions to pose:-1- Do you think this a wise investment? Taking into account the salmon quota being transferred to charter fleet, or has this stabilised. I do intend to keep the hooks in the water, I'm not expecting to fish for 8 weeks a year and make tons of cash. I am doing this for lifestyle change, any money will go back into boat or towards quota / permits, apart from some travel money and living expenses. Wife works in UK and is self sufficient for self and family.
2- Do you know of anyone with this type of boat looking to retire or move on to F/G or larger boat in the time period mentioned. I served my apprenticeship as a vehicle builder,spent 2 yrs as heavy equipment mechanic / fitter. Worked as port engineer both in Seattle and at Magone Marine in Dutch so boat would be well cared for with feeelng, skill and experience.
3- I believe that Fir on oak beams would be preferable to Cedar, am I correct in this? Are there any other types of wood to prefer or avoid. Also which fixings are best:- s/s, brass, bronz or other?
Any and all feedback woul be much apprciated, Cheers, Robbie.