Levy Boats needed a reliable, powerful engine to get them through all seasons

The colder the water, the better the fish. With no point more than 67 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, commercial fishermen face brutal elements with open sea in Nova Scotia.

Fisheries for lobster, halibut and crab already have a limited season imposed by Mother Nature. Workboats employed for commercial fishing need to be up and running 24/7 during warmer months, providing every advantage for crew.

Citing the importance of having an engine that is easy for diesel mechanics to work on with readily available parts, Levy Boats on Sober Island, Nova Scotia counts on Cummins. Their latest launch, Ocean Bounty, is a fiberglass fishing boat assembled from a kit fabricated by Northeast Boats.

Cummins QSB6.7's 491 hp gives lobster fishing boat more power to top out at 25 knots

“A lot of boats run with 425’s, but we installed a QSB6.7 491 HP,” said Randy Levy, coowner of Levy Boats. “She tops out at 25 knots and cruises easily at 15 knots.”

With all-molded parts, this seaboat has a cuddy cabin, roomy wheelhouse, ample deck space and storage below deck for gear. With a draft less than four feet, the Levy 40 is designed to carry 20,000 pounds of fish in heavy seas.

“It’s a big engine,” said Levy, adding “the 500 is my favorite and it is very reliable. It’s a single screw with one engine under deck behind the wheelhouse.”

Spec’d without a generator but with a prop cage built around the propeller to avoid trap lines, she is intended to be a two-man operation, although accommodates four with forward bunks.

High speeds and better maneuverability makes each fishing trip quicker

Commercial fishing boats should be fast and maneuverable, capable of high speed in order to search for fish and quickly ship the catch to ports preserving freshness. 

Conversely, very low or dead speed is also desirable, with hunting ships required to be highly maneuverable with a small turnover cycle for the rudder. The drive mechanism controls should be simple, fast and safe with a smooth machine at all speeds.

The Cummins QSB6.7 550 HP is based on an in-line, six-cylinder block with a new 24-valve cylinder head. With a dry weight of 1,450 pounds, the QSB6.7 is a Tier 3 compliant power plant fitting many applications.

“These lobster boats are rock-solid and bulletproof, designed to last a lifetime,” said Levy. “The Cummins dealer here is Johnny-on-the-spot. Our dealer goes that extra mile to ensure your boat is up and running as quickly as possible."