Levy boats sea trials

The NSBA was able to visit member yard Levy Boats while a new build was under construction, and again later for sea trials to see the pristine new hull cut the water.

The Levys have been designing, building, finishing, customizing and refitting boats for commercial and pleasure boat markets for more than three generations. Randy Levy began building wooden boats with his father more than fifty years ago and continues the tradition of building quality boats with his son Luke.

Ocean Bounty is a Northumberland style design and is 40 feet long, with a 14 foot beam. The team at Levy purchased the kit from Northeast Boats and finished it to the customer’s specifications. Phil, Randy and Luke were busy with various jobs when NSBA visited.

Randy Levy does some tricky boat work

Phil cutting a window into the port side of the cabin

Nestled in the heart of the boat is a Cummins QSC8.3 engine with 493-592 horsepower.

A challenge of boat building is working in the engine compartment

The cuddy cabin has four bunks and a head with a galley nearby.

The view from the other side of Phil's window

The boat was launched on a Sunday to beat an approaching snow storm. Two days later the weather couldn’t be nicer. Bright morning sun glinted off the calm waters and the smell of seaweed was in the air as new owner Terry Riles got behind the wheel of his new boat for the first time.

Luke surveys the engine from the topside

Driving from the dock, they opened up the throttle. Top speed during sea trials was 20-21 knots.

Top speed at sea trials was 20-21 knots

Sea trials went well and the boat was hauled for a drive to its new home in Louisbourg, Cape Breton. The Ocean Bounty will soon be fishing lobster, with Terry behind the wheel.

“That’s my favourite part,” said Luke as the boat was hauled away, “watching the transom go down the road.”

Late morning the boat was hauled up to travel to its new home in Louisbourg, Cape Breton