Here you see “Christopher Devin III” in Naskeag Harbor on Sunday.
She recently replaced the much different “Christopher Devin II” in Brooklin’s fishing vessel fleet:.
Leighton Archive image
The new “III” is a “Novi,” a different species of fishing vessel than traditional Down East lobster boats such as “II.” She’s nicknamed a Novi because her design originated in Nova Scotia and Novis usually are built there. Novis have stepped-up bows, backward-inclined front windows, and complete displacement hulls. Such hulls are more rounded, sit lower, and are very seaworthy, but give a slower ride than DE vessels of the same power.
Traditional Down East vessels, such as “II,” have forward-inclined or perpendicular front windows and semi-planing hulls. Such hulls are a compromise design to gain speed; they allow the vessels to cut through and sail on the sea faster. (Primary image taken in Brooklin, Maine, on December 10, 2023.)