Reliable YANMAR Engines are ‘Finest’ Choice for Hawaii Sportfishing Fleet

More than 30 years ago, Finest Kind, looking for the right engine partner to keep its fleet on the water and answer all its repower needs, turned to Boatswain’s Locker, a California business supplying marine equipment to an Authorized YANMAR Dealer Network in the Southwest US, Hawaii, and parts of Mexico. Costa Mesa-based Boatswain’s Locker was established in 1939 and bought by the current CEO Dan Gribble in 1986 to oversee its continued growth as one of the leading marine engine and engine accessories distributors in the western US and the region’s exclusive servicing distributor for YANMAR marine diesel engines.

Today, Captain Dave’s commitment to YANMAR engines and service continues to strengthen, as his sportfishing business thrives with the combined support of his local authorized YANMAR dealer and distributor.

Captain Dave selected reliable twin YANMAR diesel engines to power each vessel with the expectation that the hours would quickly pile up, due to Hawaii’s year-round good weather and demand from tourists. Running the boats every day is vital to maximize the business potential and customer numbers, with Finest Kind switching the crews to keep the trips operating seamlessly.

F/V Finest Kind, a 37’ Merritt build in 1964 and described as ‘the perfect fishing boat’, has been restored and repowered with twin YANMAR 6LY2 350 hp marine diesel engines for a 24 knot cruising speed. Fast, clean and comfortable, tournament-equipped Bertram 31 Sport Fisherman F/V Exact is equipped with twin YANMAR 4LH 230 hp diesel engines. Finally, F/V Reel Hooker, a tournament-equipped 35 foot Bertram with live bait wells, has twin YANMAR 6LY2 370 hp diesels installed for a fast, comfortable ride.

Lance Henrichsen, Sales Director, Boatswain’s Locker, said: “YANMAR engines are purpose built and engineered specifically for marine applications, which means the parts and configuration of the engine work as designed in the boat, rather than being adapted for marine use. This is one of the many features and benefits of a YANMAR marine engine. In my experience, YANMAR engines rarely wear out due to hours.”

At the last count in the summer of 2020, Finest Kind had over 40,000 hours on its YANMAR 6LY engines. Exact had over 50,000 hours on its 4LH engines which were running well ahead of a 2020 rebuild carried out at the same time as some additional vessel work ‘in preparation for the next 50,000 hours’. Meanwhile, Reel Hooker also had over 40,000 hours on its 6LY engines – for a combined total of 130,000 hours!

Along with the obvious benefits of long-lasting, reliable engines to power the fleet, Finest Kind can rely on the support of his local YANMAR dealer. Through the years, Captain Dave has been able to rest assured that he can get any part, whenever required, due to the commitment of the YANMAR network. And, with the increasing fuel efficiency benefits the YANMAR engines provide, Dave was able to pay for his engines in fuel savings in just two years.

All three engine models have proved so profitable and robust for the Finest Kind boats, that some competitors on the island have taken note and switched to YANMAR.

“I have had many brands of diesel engines in my fleet throughout the early years including Cat, Cummins and Detroit. YANMAR is by far the best engine for fuel savings and durability out there,” said Dave.

“Regular maintenance is one key item for Finest Kind,” added Lance, “plus the fact that the engines are under high stress and run every day which is actually healthy for a diesel engine. Captain Dave loves his YANMARs and continues to use them every day.

“One of the advantages of having your vessel repowered by your local dealer is that it allows you to build a strong relationship with your dealer from the beginning. Our Authorized Dealers continue to support their local areas and repower countless vessels, both leisure and commercial.

“It is proved by our other commercial customers as well, that following the maintenance schedule and being proactive on replacing maintenance items on time, allows the engine to remain running as designed. Customers often approach us with stories of their YANMAR engines ‘still going’. It makes us proud to be part of the YANMAR family.”