Boatbuilder models new sports fishing boat after lobster fishing style

“Nobody is buying any boats. We had 19 calls in January and none of them came through. So we decided to diversify and try our hand at this,” he said.

“This” is the 23-foot Goreham Harbourmaster, a pretty little sports fishing craft that’s already received an award at the Mahone Bay Boat Show for best-maintained powerboat in a class of at least half a dozen other Maritime vessels.

“She was in Bristol fashion, tip-top condition,” said Chip Dickison, one of the judges. She was in really good trim, clean, a very seaworthy vessel.”

Goreham has built close to 90 45-foot and 50-foot hulls for traditional fishing boats since he opened Goreham’s Marine Boat Shop in Pubnico Head in 2000.

There’s an important reason behind his decision to switch to sports fishing boats.

“If we don’t diversify, we won’t be here for the (lobster) fishing industry,” he said.

Goreham has incorporated what he says are the best features from the Cape Island style into the Harbourmaster.

“It has really distinct lines with a semi-planing hull compared to the full displacement hull of a fishing boat,” he said.

“We did that for the looks and stability. The market really wants something pretty fancy and the fishing boats aren’t.”

The vessel has received much more in the way of finish work, with extra faring and sanding to produce a fine finish.

It’s taken close to six-months to complete the prototype, which Goreham says will sell in the range of $70,000. Future boats will take much less time to build and he says as orders come in, his work force will increase from two to nine.

The Harbourmaster sleeps two, has a head in the fo’castle, and a 12-gallon fresh water tank and 65-gallon fuel tank under the deck. Ten divinicell bulkheads make her a “very, very strong boat” says Goreham.

The vessel has a 14-inch draft with a four-inch keel, and 10-foot beam and is powered by a 250 Hp Suzuki.

“She’s built for the ocean but it is outboard style,” said Goreham.

Next on the drawing board is a 30-foot trawler yacht that will sell between$190,000 and $350,000 depending on the interior. Goreham’s putting a business plan together for that one and plans on government involvement.

He hopes to have the 30-footer ready for the Miami Boat Show and plans on taking the Harbourmaster to Michigan, Chicago and Toronto boat shows in the upcoming months. His selling approach is unique.

“I think my marketing strategy is a little different. I’m taking my boat and selling it myself,” he said.