CFN Shakedown Cruise: John’s Bay 47

By Brian Robbins

Welcome to another CFN Shakedown Cruise.

Periodically, we will focus on a new launch and dig a little deeper into what went into the project – whether it be a new model or a hull well-known to the New England commercial market. What we hope to do is provide insight and information our readers can apply to their own setups … and, as always, offer up a little entertainment along the way. —Editor

SOUTH BRISTOL, ME – One of the key moments in this issue’s Shakedown Cruise actually took place when the vessel’s owner wasn’t aboard the boat.

Spruce Head, ME lobsterman Jim Tripp was standing alongside me on a float moored out in John’s Bay. I was peering through the viewfinder of my camera at Tripp’s new 47’ Outer Fall, just launched by John’s Bay Boat Co. and builder Peter Kass had the helm while Tripp watched his boat run.

Pete had made some slow turns for the camera and jogged by at cruise speed. “Make one wide-open pass and we’ll call it good,” I yelled to him. “Come right at us.”

Pete glanced at Jim Tripp, who was smiling. “Yep – give it to her,” said Jim.

So he did.

Pete cruised off a fair distance, cut the wheel hard down, swung around towards us and dumped the throttle.

Think about it: with her 803 hp C18 Cat right in the bucket, the 47’ x 15’6” Outer Fall skimmed by the float we were on at 23.5 knots – maybe 20 feet away, at most.

There was one slap of wake up through the planks of the float and that was it.

There are boats in this world that would’ve soaked us … or at the very least, got our feet wet. Outer Fall – 5’4” draft and all – didn’t haul much ocean behind her.

“Wow …” I took in what had just happened. I turned to Jim Tripp, who was now smiling even more.

“That’s Pete,” he said. “The guy’s an artist.”

The soul of wood

Even if you know Jim Tripp, you may not really know Jim Tripp.

Simply put, the 58-year-old Tripp may be lobstering’s answer to musician Steve Earle – the original hardcore…

Read the rest of this great content in the June issue of Commercial Fisheries News.