F/V Espresso for sale

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The Fishing Vessel Espresso is offered for sale at $350,000.  This is a retirement sale and includes all related gear including nets, conex storage unit, attached shop, parts and spares, zodiac inflatable, survival suits, electronics and all bouys, lights, lines etc.  The vessel is turn key ready to fish with a lightly fished, fully mended 200 fathom net currently stored in the hold, ready to flake out and load on the real.  Scroll down for additional details, numerous photos, vessel description and specifics, a net inventory list, the most current survey and even a list of maintenance and repairs recommended prior to the 2020 season.

​The Area T (Bristol Bay) Drift permit is also available and offered at market price.

The Espresso is a KG Marine built in 1988.  32" x 13"6" aluminum single engine shaft driven tunnel hull with approximately 40" draft.  This boat has had a single owner fished every year since new by the owner/skipper.



  • 1988 KG Marine 32' x 13'6" Aluminum Bristol Bay Stern Picker
  • ​GM V692 Forward Plan Main (see description of Forward Plan marinization below) 10500 hours
  • Twin Disk 509 marine gear 1.5:1 w/ vibration absorbing coupling, 2" SS shaft 24x20 SS 4 blade prop
  • PSI drippless shaft seal
  • Excellent SS muffler with extended stack to keep fumes and noise off back deck
  • Engine is rated at 450 HP @ 2300 RPM.  When new, this boat planed at 16 - 18 knots.  With the flush deck and refrigeration, we gave up speed.  It now runs about 7 1/2 knots at 1300 - 1400 RPM.  At that speed the pyrometer is at 300 degrees or less.  Crusing uses about 10 Gallons per Hour.  Running at about half the rated horsepower, this engine will last forever.
  • A 6 cu in hydraulic pump running off the front of the engine operates the RSW and bow thruster, a second 4.21 cu in pump operates all the deck equipment and anchor winch.  A third small cessna pump operates the steering systems and is on an independent tank.  Steering will continue to operate in the event of loss of hydraulics or fluid.
  • Flush Deck with 8 fish holds, two side by side brailers in each hold.  6 holds have 2000# capacity and two have 1500#
  • RexRoth direct drive reel with level wind, fixed position on deck.  200 fathom capacity when gear is wet, 170 fathom capacity for dry loose net.  Level wind is not auto reversing, we prefer this as proper loading of net on the drum vastly reduces backlashes (filling sides first, then middle, never allowing the net to pinch between the built up netting and the side of the drum)
  • Vitek Stern Roller 30' wide.  Rebuild and inspected in 2007 with no issues but replaced bearing since it was apart.  Installed new bushings on rollers 2016
  • Hydraulic operated 1 1/2 inch Jabsco deck pump is reversible.  Additionally, a deck accessible valve allows choice of sea water or the fish hold as supply for the pump.  Makes recirculating sanitizing solution in the hold and on brailers very easy.
  • Total 15000# capacity under hatches (stuffed full)  We have had another 6000# on deck with no concerns at all.
  • IMS Hydraulic 7 1/2 ton generation 2 RSW system using R 404 refrigerant new in 2013, previous RSW went 19 seasons.
  • Valworks 2" electric valves installed on RSW crossover to control list with the flip of a switch on the bridge
  • SS well screen pick ups in holds eliminate any junk and contamination from getting in the chiller
  • Insulated holds were stripped of insulation in 2007, inspected by marine surveyor showing no corrosion or pitting (survey available) and re-insulated using newest technique of rhino lining against hull, spray foam and finish coat of rhino lining.
  • New HDPE hatch covers with 12" small round hatches over each brailer (16) New in 2016
  • ​Naiad Bow Thruster 8" with controls at bridge, cabin and stern
  • Jog stick steering system using a cessna pump, an independent hydraulic tank that serves the manual helms, auto pilot and jog stick system.  Controls at bridge, cabin and stern.  Rudder indicator on bridge.  Fast (approx 5 sec) hard over to hard over for quick steering response.  Never touch a steering wheel again.
  • Com Nav 1001 auto pilot with control head at bridge and in cabin.  I use it to set gear at times, works when running in most sea conditions and occasionally to tow gear.
  • ​Plexiglass Top House with bunk, houses all electronics, a 3.5 Cu Ft Freezer and room to store survival suits, groceries or drinks under seat and the SS propane BBQ and 2 gal aluminum tank.
  • Cabin has 4 large bunks in fo'c'sle, one is double wide.  SS sink with hot and cold water, 2 burner force ten propane stove under cutting board and Dickinson Pacific diesel stove with oven.  Table has sitting for 5 and day bunk, bench seat is usable as an extra bunk.  12 V norcold refrigerator and generous storage in drawers and lockers.
  • Hot water heater is operated by convection from a coil in the diesel stove.  This means hot water in the yard, at anchor and anytime the stove is burning.
  • Enclosed head has a  manual pump toilet and a shower.  Shower drains into a sump and pumped overboard by a small rule pump.  Eliminates soapy water in bilge or concerns of water entering boat through shower drain.
  • GM V692 Forward Plan is a unique marinization system.  There are very few of them in Bristol Bay.  This engine has fully water jacketed exhaust manifolds and turbo charger.  This means the engine runs cooler and noticeably quieter.  A second keel cooler is required for all the extra cooling.  The Forward Plan has eliminated the exhaust leak problems that have plagued the 692's that are typically converted truck engines.
  • All exterior hoses and tubes were inspected in 2017 by Jim Johnson as either cleaned up and painted, repaired or replaced as determined by an in depth inspection.
  • Engine has a high output alternator and a battery isolation solenoid operating off engine oil pressure ensuring the house battery (a deep cycle 8D, new in 2019) and the starting battery are fully charged when running but the start battery can not be discharged by the house loads.  two solar panels on the roof of the top house further help with battery charging.  On a full sun day, these panels will keep up with the house loads including the inverter that runs the freezer and the Norcold refrigerator.
  • This sale includes "Sanka" an 8 foot inflatable boat with oars.  It is capable of holding a small outboard and carrying 3 to 4 people.  We have a foot pump and an electric air pump that the inverter will run.
Latest Marine Survey click here
F/V Espresso Net Inventory click here
F/V Espresso Recommended repairs, maintenance and parts for 2020 season click here
Included parts, spares and misc. click here

As mentioned, this vessel has had one owner/operator since built in 1988.  Over these years numerous changes, upgrades and refinements have been made to the boat to make it work better and easier.  You are likely to find yourself saying that's handy, or this is a nice feature a surprising number of times.  There are far too many of these small details to mention.  I take great pride in the maintenance and care I have done over the life of the Espresso.  I offer this to any buyer with complete confidence that you will be happy you chose this boat to purchase.

We have fished for Leader Creek Fisheries since 2002.  In all those years, we have had almost 100% compliance record with meeting their requirements for "Best Fish" which includes bleeding, use of a slide, brailer weights not to exceed 500# or if heavier to all be within 200# of each other, floating fish and cold temps not to exceed 39 degrees.  With only a few exceptions, we have met these requirement and have reaped the added bonus as a result.  Leader Creek Fisheries has offered a market to any future owner of the Espresso if you so desire.  They are aware of the quality product this boat can produce.

This boat is extremely reliable.  In 32 years I can count the days missed fishing on one hand as a result of mechanical issues.  I understand the costs of missing fishing time and have strived to stay ahead of maintenance and repair issues.  Of course shit happens and I can make no guarantees other than to say it is a well built, well maintained machine and should serve any future owner/ operator well.

The conex, shop and deck facility is very convenient and full ownership of it and all the contents are part of the sale.  If you don't want to stay in the LMI yard, you are welcome to take it with you or sell all or part of it to someone else.