ACI Boats Launches Bristol Bay Gillnetter

f/v Signe
The f/v Signe, which was launched in Bristol Bay by ACI Boats in early May. Photo courtesy of ACI Boats.

The f/v Signe, which was launched in Bristol Bay by ACI Boats in early May. Photo courtesy of ACI Boats.

Aluminum boat builder ACI Boats on May 3 launched its second Bristol Bay gillnetter in Port Townsend, Wash.

The boat was designed in collaboration with ACI employee Mike Carr, who’s a second generation Bristol Bay fisherman and Port Townsend local. Carr grew up in Discovery Bay, where his dad built hulls for seiners. He started fishing in Bristol Bay The f/v Signe is 32 feet-by-15 feet, 6 inches and was designed for maximum performance while maintaining comfort and efficiency, according to ACI Boats. The pilothouse has direct bonded look-up windows that provide exceptional visibility and natural light. There is ample deck space, and a comfortable galley/berthing area that sleeps five people. With another sleeping bunk in the pilothouse, the vessel can accommodate a total of six crew members.

The boat is powered by twin Cummins 600HP engines, with twin UltraJets 340HT. Its top speed is 36 knots, or 26 knots if loaded with 13,500 pounds in the fish holds.

ACI Boats designs and fabricates recreational and commercial aluminum vessels in Port Townsend.