I purchased this 1927 diesel-powered fishing troller from the Port of Bellingham for $1 in 2006. As a shipwright and boat restoration specialist I’ve always had a keen eye for good design and workmanship in classic boats. Dogged determination, 10 years and woodworking skills allowed me to give the boat a new life in Washington and BC waters.
The wood planked hull was used as a male mold to create a totally new, high-tech boat hull built with layers of Okoume Marine Plywood saturated with West System Epoxy (Cold Molding).about interior build The interior has a traditional painted finish with teak trim, modern galley and head and a tool storage/work area in the aft section. A curved staircase joins the pilothouse and salon, both with large windows.
The expert designer-builder, Andrew Berg, had immigrated from Norway to Seattle and was known for fine craftsmanship and attention to detail. He started out building boats at a small yard in the Seattle´s Duwamish River Waterway during the 1920’s. In 1942 when Andrew Berg got a U.S. Army contract to build wood barges he decided to move the Berg Shipyard to Dakota Creek in Blaine, Washington. Andrew and his son Carl built mine-sweepers, torpedo retrievers, tugs, fishing boats and pleasure craft. At its peak, the boatyard employed 200 men. The yard was closed in 1978 when the industry transitioned to building with steel.
Licenses aboard provided evidence that over the years the boat had been used in fisheries in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Southern California. To my great surprise, in 2023 I was contacted by a man named Jason from Southern California who as a youngster had fished with his Dad aboard this boat. Jason had seen an article published in “Cruising” (www.sailpowercruising.com) about my effort to rebuild the troller and he recognized the boat immediately. He described good times with his Dad who fished very successfully off Southern California. He told a story about how before his Dad owned it, the vessel had been run aground while fishing in Southeast Alaska, eventually to be re-floated and repaired. And Jason had to travel to Bellingham to see the rebuilt boat Olive Oyl and experience a cruise around Bellingham Bay.

I believe boats have souls. And re-naming a classic boat isn’t easy. We were careful to placate the gods of wind and the sea at the re-naming ceremony. While working away on the new interior one day it came to me. Trips on this boat promise to be a lot of fun and everyone should enjoy its special character. People ask why I named the boat “Olive Oyl” and all I can say is that the name makes me smile. The vessel is now much different than the original boat though it retains the lovely lines and unique appeal that Berg created in the 1920’s.

HIGHLIGHTS: Olive Oyl’s wood hull has been cold-molded for ease of maintenance, unparalleled strength and durability. Solar panels keep the batteries topped up. Diesel central heating keeps the interior dry and comfortable. Anchor easily and securely with the steel hydraulic reel-type anchor windlass and Navy anchor 99 lb.
Ask to see the recent detailed marine survey.