The Tracer was built in 1977 by Westport Shipyards, Inc in Westport Washington in 1978. In spite of the Tracers age, she is a solid vessel with a well maintained 55 foot fiberglass hull. With "rolling chocks" installed in 2001 to improve stability, the Tracer rides and handles better than other boats of her size. She was also repowered in 2001 with twin John Deere 6081 diesel engines with a combined total of 660 horsepower allowing her a top speed of more than 15 knots.
In 2006 the "crows nest" was replaced with a lighter and more useable "bucket" which improved underway stability and enhanced crew saftey while working aloft. A duplicate set of power and steering controls were installed in the bucket in 2007 which will the enable Captain with the ability to navigate while looking for fish. To further enahance safety at sea, a state-of-the art satellite telephone with data capabilities has been installed to complement the Tracer's current technology of GPS, radar, sonar, sounding and communication equipment.
The Tracer is a USCG documented vessel (offical number 588837). According to the USCG COI for the Tracer, our permitted route includes, "Pacific Ocean area between Point Conception, California and latitude 30 degrees 11 minutes north, not more than 60 miles off the baseline extending from Point Conception to Cape San Lucas, Baja California, Mexico". These are the prime Southern California albcore, bluefin tuna, and yellowfin tuna fishing grounds.
The vessel has comfortable accomodations for up to 14 passengers which includes spacious bunks and two indoor heads. The full service galley is equiped with a grill and convection microwave oven. |
