Initially the survey work was carried out using a boat owned by Dr. Hobler. However his boat was not able to meet the department's need to get to the outer coast for extended periods of time in a safe and strong vessel. Then one year in the early 1970s, when the university ended up with a budget surplus, a request went out for departmental purchases. While the other departments were ordering pencil sharpeners, chairs and projectors, Dr. Hobler's need for a new boat got the better of him and he slipped in an order for a custom built boat. Shortly thereafter he was summoned to the dean's office where he received a half-hearted dressing down about being a smart-ass and was then quietly told to go build his boat. Apparently the surplus was substantial.

Because the migration theory Drs. Hobler and Carlson were working on involved the first peoples landing on the outer coast, the vessel was designed with the capability to work these areas. In fact, the west coast of the Queen Charlottes was one of the first areas surveyed using the new vessel. The boat was specifically designed to take archeological survey crews all over the coast and to be used as a base for surveys. Some years it would act as a floating camp for digs on shore, other years it would be used primarily for surveys.

As you will see from the interior layout of the vessel, the boat was built to carry up to 12 passengers. It was built to Transport Canada standards and went through Canadian Steamship Inspections on a regular basis for the two decades she was used as a research vessel. The vessel was christened 'Sisiutl', a Salish mystical sea creature that could swim through rocks -- all things considered, a very fitting name. Sisiutl was used to train several generations of archaeologists over the course of the survey work and the boat has an iconic presence in the recent study of coastal archaeology in BC.

In order to improve her performance as serious sportfishing vessel, the current owners made some significant upgrades to the vessel several years ago. They had the vessel extended the vessel by four and a half feet, giving her a huge cockpit area, increased fuel capacity, a cockpit fish hold, and a large swim grid. A radar arch was installed and both the engine exhaust stack and the stove pipe were raised. And a heavy-duty dinghy launch davit was installed, permitting the vessel to carry up to a 12' hard dinghy or skiff.

The important thing to note about this vessel is that it is a 'guy's boat'. It is currently owned by three partners who are serious about their fishing and could not care less what colour the upholstery is. It is set up so they and up to eight of their friends can go fishing anywhere on this coast at any time. That's right, this vessel has enough berths to sleep eleven adults. Which makes it perfect for a guy's getaway boat, a fishing charter vessel, or a dive charter boat. But with a little bit of work, it could also be converted to a very comfortable cruiser that could travel anywhere on this coast.

Let's have a look around. Walk up to the stern of the vessel and you immediately get a sense of how the cockpit extension has improved both the appearance and function of the vessel. Step down onto the swim grid and walk through the transom door and you will find the aluminum fish hold in the rear of the cockpit. The hold bin is removeable for cleaning and for access to fuel tanks and tank valves below deck.

Up against the cabin bulkhead is a built-in aluminum gear locker and on the starboard side you will find a similar locker for the propane tanks. Tucked up against the cabin bulkhead on the starboard side are engine controls, a remote jog steering station, and the hydraulic davit for hauling crab and prawn traps. At the top of the davit stand is a halogen deck light so you see what you are doing when darkness falls.

The cabin entry is offset slightly to starboard and when you step down inside, you can see why. To port is a huge U-shaped dinette area that can sit six adults comfortably, though you could squeeze in eight in a pinch. The dinette also converts to a sleeping area by dropping the table and raising the back of the port seat to form a bunk.

Immediately to starboard of the entryway is a large combination fridge/freezer unit. Forward of that is the stainless steel sink and galley counter with lots of cupboard space below and at the far end. Across from the galley and just forward of the dinette is the trusty Dickinson diesel stove. It has a hot water coil running through the firepot that provides constant hot water to a big thirty gallon water tank. Tucked in behind the stove is the head compartment which also contains a shower stall.

Step up into the salon and to port and starboard you have a pair of matching settees with drawers underneath. But once again showing her origins as a floating classroom and bunkhouse, both port and starboard settees convert to bunk beds. Apologies for the quality of the photos -- the sun was very strong when the photos were taken and the bright light has 'burned' the photos a little.

Up forward in the starboard corner of the salon is the main helm station, complete with captain's chair and a helm door that gives the operator quick access to the dock when single-handing the boat. Over in the forward port corner of the salon is the chart table where the flat screen display for the chart plotting software is mounted.

There are several panels in the salon floor that provide access to the supercharged Chrysler Nissan diesel engine, batteries and hydraulic system components. While the engine could use a '$5.99 rebuild' (the cost of a can of engine paint), it runs like a top.

Step down from the salon into the forward cabin and again the focus is on maximizing bunk space. There are two stacked full-length berths both port and starboard and to port is a very large hanging locker. Surprisingly, even with four berths the cabin does not feel at all cramped.

It is worth a quick visit up to the boat deck which is accessed via a ladder on the aft cabin bulkhead. The upper bridge is very basic with a steering station, engine controls, and hook-ups for the JRC colour fish finder. On the starboard side of the boat deck you can see the DBC life raft and on the port side you can see the dinghy nesting frames. As you can see, the frames have had straight pieces welded over then so a small hard dinghy can be stored upside down. And lastly, a quick look down onto the bow and you can see yet another indication of this vessel's commercial pedigree - a custom built hydraulic spooling anchor winch.

This is an extremely well built vessel that can literally travel anywhere on this coast at any time of year. It will keep you and your friends safe, comfortable and warm while you are out doing the things that are important to you. It also has great potential as a multi-use charter vessel in a business that is forecast to grow in leaps and bounds over the next decade. And with a little imagination it could also be transformed into an exceptionally comfortable coastal trawler for a serious cruising couple.

Please click on the links below to open more pictures:
Cockpit
Elevated View
Galley Looking Forward
Port Bow View
Port Stern View
Salon Looking Forward
Starboard Bow View
Transom Door
Upper Helm

E-mail Discovery Coast Yacht Sales about this boat