Raven was built by Frank Black, a fish boat builder in Coos Bay, OR, for his own use in 1974. We were attracted to her sturdy design by Kenneth Smith of Grand Banks fame as well as her workboat construction and outfit by Mr. Black when we found her for sale at Fisherman’s Terminal in Seattle in 1996.
We enjoyed cruising throughout the Salish Sea and commuting from Port Madison to Shilshole Marina with her until letting her go in 2006. We missed her and were very fortunate to find her for sale again in 2016, and repowered her at Haven Boat Works in Port Townsend in 2017.
Her heavy construction includes planking of 1-1/4″ Alaska Yellow Cedar, Oak frames on 14″ centers, and massive engine bearers of 7-1/4″ x 3-3/4″ Doug Fir. Originally powered with a Dorset Ford 2711E four-cylinder diesel (same block as the Lehman 4D series), she is now home to a new 4 cylinder Yanmar 4JH4-HTE rated 105 hp at 3200 rpm, giving us an extra knot or two. RAVEN is set up with 300 gallons of diesel and 70 gallons of fresh water. Her fish boat heritage also includes a Dickenson oil burning stove/cabin heater, hydraulic Thompson anchor winch with bow roller, and hydraulic steering via hand helm (and a new Com Nav autopilot). She’s a comfortable cruiser for two, and very handy for shrimping and crabbing.
Raven now proudly flies Oliver Perry’s War of 1812 battle pennant “Don’t Give Up The Ship” as a hint to her history with us.