Fish Boat Art of Richard Hart

"F/V Gladiator Trawling in the Bering Sea"

It's simple. I grew up in "Old Town" Tacoma, Washington in the 1950's - 1970's. Fishermen were my neighbors and my heroes. The drying and repairing of salmon nets were part of every neighborhood block here. Slavonian and Norwegian fishermen were my friend's parents. Their families. The culture of all of our livelyhood.

My Dad sold and repaired electronics that were on fishboats. For me, growing up was fishboats, fishboats, fishboats. Tacoma had magnificent wooden salmon seiners in every dock slip and moorage. Of course, the area was famous for building Tuna Seiners, Crab Boats, Trawlers, Longliners, Salmon Seiners, Trollers and everything else that floated.

A good portion of my professional income also came from being involved with the fishing industry. As our family business grew, we ultimately had stores in Seattle, Tacoma,Petersburg, Sitka, and Dutch Harbor, Alaska. We followed the fishing fleet. And my fascination with the design lines of Fish Boats still exists today.

It's been a rewarding journey. I enjoyed participating in the evolution of commercial fishing and how ultimately the Industry embraced safety measures and a degree of sustainable harvesting practices and common sense.

See my Fish Boat Art Portfolio

"Halibut Schooners in Fishermen's Terminal"

"F/V America No 1"

Fish Boat design elements displayed

To be successful, Fish boats must first be functional and safe. Then, the elements of style, and the allure of the line of the shape of the vessel comes into play. The design of the hull, the pilothouse, the deck layout, and the gear all contribute to the overall aesthetic appeal of the vessel. The artistry of Fish Boat design is a reflection of the skill and creativity of the shipbuilders and designers who bring these vessels to life.

(Top Left) "F/V Gladiator" from Marine Industries NW (Tacoma, Washington). (Left) Classic Halibut Longliners in Seattle, Washington. (Right) "F/V America No 1" with Trawl Gear installed, Built by Marco Shipyards.

"F/V Vesteralen in Alaska"

"F/V Seawolf with Crab Pots"

Alas...Fishing Boats must diversify and fish longer and harder

(Right)"F/V Vesteralen" had a controversial beginnings. But has become a beloved symbol of the Alaskan fishing fleet."

(Left)"F/V Sea Wolf" A raised pilothouse on a gorgeous Marco Shipyard Hull. Crab Pots and Trawl gear... Not sure what that does for the lines of the boat, but that's what it looks like in practice