|
"WESTERN"
"Western" was launched on June 17th 1980 in Pender Harbour, BC. The hull was cast by Tristar Marine's yard in Maple Ridge, BC. We, James and Jenny Nelson, then had it trucked to Pender Harbour where Pender Harbour Boat Works, proprietor Don Penson, finished her to our specifications. She was built to heavy fishboat construction standards, using twenty 50-gallon drums of resin, five lifts of 3/4" and two lifts of 1/2" plywood. The superstructure is timbered throughout, with steel rods running from the deck to the bridge and boat deck sills, and then fibreglassed over and finished with Endura, a two part paint. Vessels are always compromises and "Western" is no exception. The criteria was that "Western" should straddle three conceptions; a live-a-board, a yacht and a work-boat. I believe that we were successful, as there would be very few changes made if we were to do it all over again. As a live-aboard, "Western" is a very successful vessel having lots of foot space which gives the illusion that she is much larger than she is. A good number of windows on the main deck allow light and the ever-changing vista in. She is very easy to keep warm since both the hull and the superstructure are insulated throughout. The galley has a diesel stove, which supplies heat, cooks our meals and heats the domestic hot water. There is a hot water furnace in the engine room with registers in all living areas. Headroom was roughed in to a minimum of 6 1/2 feet throughout. There is tankage for 850 US gallons of water, a built in vacuum cleaner, a washing machine, and she is wired with 110 volt AC power. There is a Onan generator, a 2000 watt inverter, and a walk-in full height engine room, etc.
As a yacht, I believe that she would make anyone proud to own her. While not yachty in the classical sense, she carries a certain rugged cachet that makes her an attraction at marinas and when underway. "Western" has also proven to be a successful boat to handle and work. Besides supplying us with a home she has also been our main source of income. We have been involved with doing contract work for the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans since 1972. These contracts always include a need for a vessel. Since we've had "Western" we have worked in Georgia Straits, Johnstone Straits, the northern west corner of Vancouver Island and the inside passage from Cape Caution to the Alaska border. She has proven to be a very good sea boat; as was shown time and time again when travelling to our winter berthage in Victoria from Kyuquot, on the west coast of Vancouver Island in late November, early December. The North Pacific Ocean can be rougher at that time of year than most of us can imagine. Her heavy displacement, approx. 50 tons which includes 11 tons of lead pigs, draft of 7 feet, high flared bow, stabilizers all contribute to her being a relatively sea-kindly vessel. She is also affordable to operate, burning 4.7 USG per hour at 1650 RPM and doing 9.5 knots. At 7 knots fuel consumption is in the neighborhood of 3 USG per hour. This is remarkable low fuel consumption for a vessel of her displacement. Except for the Norse Queen, featured in the winter-97 issue of Passage Maker magazine, all of the other Tristar hulls that were cast are being used as fishboats. The original design was for the boat to pack herring; having a very full hull giving a large volume of interior space, and to be used as a West Coast Troller; fishing in "outside waters." These fishboats have proven to be very successful and are now used in a variety of fisheries. Galley All good things must come to an end; after almost 30 years of living aboard it is time for us to swallow the anchor and move on. Therefore "Western" is for sale. We have decided to, for the most part, sell her with all equipment that is on board as we have always felt for those who have purchased a vessel and than found out that they have had to go out and start purchasing all of the necessities that make a vessel workable. This means that a life-time collection of tools, two rigid inflatable boats, two approved survival suits, spares, clocks, stereo, VCR, TV, etc and certainly all items listed will stay with the vessel. Outside of personal belongings there are very few items that will not be on board "Western" for her new owners. Moorage, arguably the best moorage in Victoria's inner harbour, is available; behind a locked gate, 30 amps of power, cable and telephone, wide cement floats and a 5 minute walk along the waterfront from Empress Hotel. We have a contractual obligation to Fisheries and Oceans which means that we will be at sea on B.C.'s central and north coast from early April through to August. We plan on being back at our berth in Victoria on September first. From this point on we are retired and "Western" can be yours for only US $225,000.00. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you wish further information.
Main Deck Layout |
Main Cabin
Aft Head