Had a friend inquire about one from a brokerage boat he came across. Did some digging around. I see their web site has had an "under construction" for some time, with an email to inquiry for info, however it apparently falls on deaf ears. Sent an email a couple weeks ago, nothing in return. Anyone know of anything current with Alaskan Yachts?
Oviatt Marine Hi PropBet, A few years ago I was also interested in the Alskan Yachts for their wonderful lines. They were built in Taiwan using molds that belonged to Oviatt Marine. I believe they are good boats and well built. Unfortunately, from what I gather on the internet, Oviatt Marine is no more. So I think you will find the molds still in Taiwan, maybe sold by the liquidator or kept by the build yard. The site seems to only be offering used vessels. Pity to see another builder gone. Regards
Alaskans I believe that PropBet was asking about "Grand Alskans", not the older "woody" Alaskans. Nice boat.....
I love the boat shes from Mystic CT but hails out of Savannah now. Handles great and is very comfortable and functional a little old lady owns it.
I was inquiring about these guys: (who seems to have opened their web site) http://www.oviattmarine.com/ after some time of being "under construction" as noted earlier in the thread. It seems their site is back online, however I have no idea if their site is any indication on their yard being in production as well.
Friends of the family had a 75' Grand Alaskan, which was usually either at Dodson's in Stonington or Seaport Marine in Mystic when up north. Their business was in northern NJ. Wouldn't happen to be the same family, would it?
I also have another customer on with a Grand Alaskan in the 50' range. She's due to have the hull scraped this week, I will try and post a pic of her on Friday (if I can remember my camera)
Why acquire the name if you have no intention of using it? Seattle Yachts merged with Northwest Yachts (formerly owned by Peter Whiting) who became a managing partner. It appears they want to add new builds to their portfolio. Peter is well-versed in building boats, specifically trawler types. Acquiring Alaskan may be a strategic move.
I don't doubt their intent to do something with it and anxious to see what they do. However, the line as it existed, is no more. The one offering is an all new design. They've essentially started a new line of boats under the Alaskan name and intending to honor the heritage but not carrying any of the specific designs forward. I'm not questioning what they've done. Probably wise as the designs needed updating I would imagine. Just that they are not using the old molds or designs, only the branding. Far better than those that have acquired brands and done nothing at all with them. Much like Bertram has done. They've gone after the old style but the two boats offered are new from the ground up. In the spirit perhaps of Bertram. Probably a lot of things that were long overdue. I'm anxious to see what becomes of Alaskan as I think there is a definite need for the boat.
Ok........late to see this (very late) but I will shed some light. Seattle Yachts purchased the Alaskan brand and intend to go back into production. Steve Seaton has been engaged to design hull lines that could be used to produce one set of hull molds to build Alaskan and Northwest models from about 62' to 75'. While the shear line, deck, and superstructures differ between these boats, the basic hull will be the same. We have completed the hull mold and begun the superstructure mold for the Northwest 63 (first boat to be built). We have a fair amount of the BOM purchased but hit a major snag. The boats were to be produced in China but, with the tariffs, building in China is no longer attractive. The project is currently on hold while we re-strategize. In the meantime, we purchased Northern Marine. We feel the Northern Marine, Northwest, and Alaskan brands can and will compliment each other. Northern Marine is a full-displacement hull design, while the Northwest and Alaskans are of a semi-displacement design with completely different styling. While no decision has been made, bringing the Northwest and Alaskan tooling to the Northern Marine facility is one idea that has been floated. Taking the tooling to Taiwan, another. A third and perhaps more attractive option would be to have the tariffs lifted and we continue on where we left off. As an aside, and I know this is the Alaskan forum, not the Northern Marine, we pulled a 57' Northern Marine out of the mold this past week. The superstructure, flybridge, and hardtop have been molded and are being trimmed and prepared to be joined to the hull. We hope to have a finished boat by early next summer..........stay tuned.