For 19-year-old lobsterman Alec Peasley of Brooksville, ME, the launch of his 34` Atlantica wasn’t so much the beginning of a career as a continuation of one. Peasley set his first load of lobster traps when he was in 7th grade, tending them out of a 14` skiff with a 9.9-hp Mercury outboard on the stern.
In between the skiff and getting his new 34-footer, Peasley spent his nonschool time on the water working a 30` Holland. However, full-time fishing further offshore in harder weather necessitated the move to a bigger boat — along with the need for more carrying capacity.
“When you have to come in early to unload …,” Alec began, then shook his head with a smile.
“I thought the floor was going to give out in that 30-footer from the lobsters on deck,” said his father, Buster, completing the picture.
There shouldn’t be any worries of that sort with Atlantica. The roomy 34`x13` Calvin Beal Jr.-designed hull allows for plenty of carrying capacity. At the same time, Alec and his father finished the boat with an eye on weight savings and fuel efficiency.
“I know how hard he’s going to fish,” said Buster with a mix of fatherly concern and pride. “So she’s put together plenty rugged. But with fuel prices being what they are, everything you can save adds up.”
Mission accomplished, it appears. Atlantica’s 305-hp Cummins drives her along at 20 knots.
The best part, though? Alec fueled up just before we met up to talk about his new boat, and he’d burned just 40 gallons in three workdays, which included lugging lobster gear.
“At one point, I had 105 four-footers on,” said Alec, “and I only lost a knot-and-a-half off my cruise.”
Alec Peasley shouldn’t have to cut days short because of Atlantica being overloaded with lobsters, but if he does … well, there are worse problems to have.
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