Whidbey Island Washington based Nichols Diversified Industries (NDI) recently completed a 24' x 10'-6" commercial fishing boat for Langley Washington based Wahoo Enterprises. The new boat, christened Crustacean Crusader, which was built to harvest ghost shrimp to supply the owner’s bait shop is also used for commercial crabbing and shrimping along the West Coast. The Crustacean Crusader’s hull is constructed of ¼ inch thick 5086 marine-grade aluminum, fully welded hull seams and a full-length keel wear plate. Three guard rails offers maximum hull protection, and seven 12 inch welded aluminum cleats offer line-handling options. The self bailing aluminum plate deck is fitted with a crab block davit and side storage trays port and starboard, while an aft transom access door offers access to the port-side extended swim platform. A Yamaha F225hp, 4 stroke outboard engine propels the Crustacean Crusader at speeds of up to 36 knots, with a cruising speed of 25 knots fully laden with the day’s catch. The boat is well equipped with modern amenities. The pilot house boasts a radar and antenna mast, as well as complete engine instrumentation and gauges. Inside is a Teleflex hydraulic steering station, swiveling helm chair with arm and foot rests and a cabin heater for comfort. An aluminum framed window arrangement provides excellent visibility, and two intermittent, self-parking windshield wipers keep the glass clear in inclement weather. The Crusader’s electrical system includes deck lighting and floodlights as well as dome lights (white and dark wheel house-friendly red), and multiple 12-volt power outlets. The boat has an aft control station, as well as a large forward storage space.