"17 Kingfisher - Ocean Sport" - builder mystery

[pcaker]

The attached photo shows my boat at time of purchase. It was claimed to be an "18 ft Ocean Sport Lodge" 2008, but my subsequent research shows correct model is "17 Kingfisher - Ocean Sport", possibly from the mid 1990s.
The boat is very well and ruggedly made from all welded 3/16 aluminum.
However, the mystery is that both Ocean Sport company in US, and Kingfisher Boats company in BC, deny that they built it. A suggested referral to Texas revealed only Kingfisher Master Moulders, who built fibreglass boats until 1993. I know that there are at least 3 boats like mine on Vancouver Island, and one in Texas.
I would be very grateful if anyone is able to cast a light on the origin of my boat. Amongst other reasons, I want to know the dry weight of the original hull.

 

[kaelc]

Looks like they were made in B.C. someone on here should have the story. Google image search found these

Kingfisher Ocean Sport Welded Aluminum Boat

Kingfisher Ocean Sport welded aluminum boat. Well maintained, serviced regularly. Excellent West Coast fishing boat, durable, dual console, self bailing. Easy for beach access, fishing and prawning. 150 Yamaha Pro V, Tohatsu 9.8 Four Stroke, power tilt, power start - low hours, 2 - Scotty...

www.usedvictoria.com

Pacific Boat Brokers Weekly Hot News Sheet - New Listings and Price Changes

M

Thread '18ft Welded Aluminum Ocean Sport FOR SALE'

Jan 27, 2014

Damn.

I spent 6 months and a ton of cash making this boat just the way I wanted it. Unforeseen circumstance has meant I must downsize.

Here are the details:

Price: $25,000 Firm
Call Mike if interested in viewing or sea trial - serious inquiries only please. 250-858-8564

Built by Ocean Sport - these boats are well known enough, but are not made anymore. Not sure where they were manufactured, but it seemed as though they were mostly all lodge boats. In the last year this boat has fished Rennell Sound (West Coast of the Queen Charlottes), Douglas Channel near Kitimat, Winter...

• meatfish
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Buy / Sell / Trade / Wanted Forum

 

[Aquaholic]

Lots of these around, centre console and dual console.

 

[ClintR]

This might help. Type in your boats serial number and it’ll spit out builders name, addy and date of manufacture

Free HIN number Decoder for any Boat, Hull, or Vessel - HINDecoder.com

 

[oguard]

That one in Texas is from a BC guy, He sold it to a couple of Texans 2 or 3 years ago. Great boats!
Mike

 

[wildthing]

my older brother had one its still in the family ... he got his when they auctioned them off there was 10-20 of them built for a lodge up north big old Tug but the company went bust ... think this was around mid late 80's tough boats but pound like hell 1/4" all round ...

think there is still one or two in HSB and seen a( cabin PH boat 20'-24') up in secret cove sunshine coast many years ago or maybe HMB

 

[fishstix]

The attached photo shows my boatView attachment 112121View attachment 112121 at time of purchase. It was claimed to be an "18 ft Ocean Sport Lodge" 2008, but my subsequent research shows correct model is "17 Kingfisher - Ocean Sport", possibly from the mid 1990s.
The boat is very well and ruggedly made from all welded 3/16 aluminum.
However, the mystery is that both Ocean Sport company in US, and Kingfisher Boats company in BC, deny that they built it. A suggested referral to Texas revealed only Kingfisher Master Moulders, who built fibreglass boats until 1993. I know that there are at least 3 boats like mine on Vancouver Island, and one in Texas.
I would be very grateful if anyone is able to cast a light on the origin of my boat. Amongst other reasons, I want to know the dry weight of the original hull.

A friend and I bought 2 of these boats in 1992 from a company called ITM.
I think the owners name was Terry Tompkins.
He worked for a commercial boat builder in surrey prior to starting ITM. Which later became ocean sport I assume. They were located in coquitlam.
An ex bc ferry lodge in milbank sound ran his boats. Can’t think of the name.
Both the boats we purchased, a center console and a runabout style are still running strong.
They both have been modified from OEM specs with the runabout getting a full hull extension and the CC with a pod.
They where by far the cheapest boats on the market with self bailing decks and wide beams which was imperative to us.
They do pound a bit due to an 8 degree dead rise, but are very stable with 3 guys on one side.
I would be guessing on the dry weight, but know they where built strong

 

[Aquaholic]

A friend and I bought 2 of these boats in 1992 from a company called ITM.
I think the owners name was Terry Tompkins.
He worked for a commercial boat builder in surrey prior to starting ITM. Which later became ocean sport I assume. They were located in coquitlam.
An ex bc ferry lodge in milbank sound ran his boats. Can’t think of the name.
Both the boats we purchased, a center console and a runabout style are still running strong.
They both have been modified from OEM specs with the runabout getting a full hull extension and the CC with a pod.
They where by far the cheapest boats on the market with self bailing decks and wide beams which was imperative to us.
They do pound a bit due to an 8 degree dead rise, but are very stable with 3 guys on one side.
I would be guessing on the dry weight, but know they where built strong

The ferry was the old Saltspring Island ferry. It used to moor off season in Ladner along the river.
St Johns lodge? It became Pacific Outback Resort after relocating near Campbell River on Hanson Island. (the old Double Bay Resort according to Google)

 

[fishstix]

The ferry was the old Saltspring Island ferry. It used to moor off season in Ladner along the river.
St Johns lodge? It became Pacific Outback Resort after relocating near Campbell River on Hanson Island. (the old Double Bay Resort according to Google)

At johns sounds right. They where anchored inside wurtle island

 

[Spring Time in Vienna]

Those aren't St. John's Boats. I worked there in the late 90's and early 00's. We ran true centre cons.

 

[fishstix]

Those aren't St. John's Boats. I worked there in the late 90's and early 00's. We ran true centre cons.

I could be mistaken. It was a long time ago. Haha. The boats I was thinking about said big time on the side in big red letters. I think.
A long time ago

 

[fishstix]

I could be mistaken. It was a long time ago. Haha. The boats I was thinking about said big time on the side in big red letters. I think.
A long time ago

Not the west coast resorts Tom macks

 

[Aquaholic]

Those aren't St. John's Boats. I worked there in the late 90's and early 00's. We ran true centre cons.

St John's did have the old Saltspring ferry though, correct?
They eventually had Nor Del build a bunch of 17' CC's that pop up for sale often.

 

[fishstix]

St John's did have the old Saltspring ferry though, correct?
They eventually had Nor Del build a bunch of 17' CC's that pop up for sale often.

I’m not 100%. I remember seeing what looked like a ferry on the right when running NW from the lodge to wurtle island

 

[pcaker]

That one in Texas is from a BC guy, He sold it to a couple of Texans 2 or 3 years ago. Great boats!
Mike

Thanks for info

 

[pcaker]

Looks like they were made in B.C. someone on here should have the story. Google image search found these

Kingfisher Ocean Sport Welded Aluminum Boat

Kingfisher Ocean Sport welded aluminum boat. Well maintained, serviced regularly. Excellent West Coast fishing boat, durable, dual console, self bailing. Easy for beach access, fishing and prawning. 150 Yamaha Pro V, Tohatsu 9.8 Four Stroke, power tilt, power start - low hours, 2 - Scotty...

www.usedvictoria.com

Pacific Boat Brokers Weekly Hot News Sheet - New Listings and Price Changes

M

Thread '18ft Welded Aluminum Ocean Sport FOR SALE'

Jan 27, 2014

Damn.

I spent 6 months and a ton of cash making this boat just the way I wanted it. Unforeseen circumstance has meant I must downsize.

Here are the details:

Price: $25,000 Firm
Call Mike if interested in viewing or sea trial - serious inquiries only please. 250-858-8564

Built by Ocean Sport - these boats are well known enough, but are not made anymore. Not sure where they were manufactured, but it seemed as though they were mostly all lodge boats. In the last year this boat has fished Rennell Sound (West Coast of the Queen Charlottes), Douglas Channel near Kitimat, Winter...

• meatfish
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Buy / Sell / Trade / Wanted Forum

Thanks for the suggestions. I had already seen these postings.

 

[pcaker]

This might help. Type in your boats serial number and it’ll spit out builders name, addy and date of manufacture

Free HIN number Decoder for any Boat, Hull, or Vessel - HINDecoder.com

Unfortunately, no serial number

 

[pcaker]

Looks like they were made in B.C. someone on here should have the story. Google image search found these

Kingfisher Ocean Sport Welded Aluminum Boat

Kingfisher Ocean Sport welded aluminum boat. Well maintained, serviced regularly. Excellent West Coast fishing boat, durable, dual console, self bailing. Easy for beach access, fishing and prawning. 150 Yamaha Pro V, Tohatsu 9.8 Four Stroke, power tilt, power start - low hours, 2 - Scotty...

www.usedvictoria.com

Pacific Boat Brokers Weekly Hot News Sheet - New Listings and Price Changes

M

Thread '18ft Welded Aluminum Ocean Sport FOR SALE'

Jan 27, 2014

Damn.

I spent 6 months and a ton of cash making this boat just the way I wanted it. Unforeseen circumstance has meant I must downsize.

Here are the details:

Price: $25,000 Firm
Call Mike if interested in viewing or sea trial - serious inquiries only please. 250-858-8564

Built by Ocean Sport - these boats are well known enough, but are not made anymore. Not sure where they were manufactured, but it seemed as though they were mostly all lodge boats. In the last year this boat has fished Rennell Sound (West Coast of the Queen Charlottes), Douglas Channel near Kitimat, Winter...

• meatfish
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Buy / Sell / Trade / Wanted Forum

Thanks, I had seen these postings

 

[pcaker]

my older brother had one its still in the family ... he got his when they auctioned them off there was 10-20 of them built for a lodge up north big old Tug but the company went bust ... think this was around mid late 80's tough boats but pound like hell 1/4" all round ...

think there is still one or two in HSB and seen a( cabin PH boat 20'-24') up in secret cove sunshine coast many years ago or maybe HMB
View attachment 112123

A friend and I bought 2 of these boats in 1992 from a company called ITM.
I think the owners name was Terry Tompkins.
He worked for a commercial boat builder in surrey prior to starting ITM. Which later became ocean sport I assume. They were located in coquitlam.
An ex bc ferry lodge in milbank sound ran his boats. Can’t think of the name.
Both the boats we purchased, a center console and a runabout style are still running strong.
They both have been modified from OEM specs with the runabout getting a full hull extension and the CC with a pod.
They where by far the cheapest boats on the market with self bailing decks and wide beams which was imperative to us.
They do pound a bit due to an 8 degree dead rise, but are very stable with 3 guys on one side.
I would be guessing on the dry weight, but know they where built strong

A friend and I bought 2 of these boats in 1992 from a company called ITM.
I think the owners name was Terry Tompkins.
He worked for a commercial boat builder in surrey prior to starting ITM. Which later became ocean sport I assume. They were located in coquitlam.
An ex bc ferry lodge in milbank sound ran his boats. Can’t think of the name.
Both the boats we purchased, a center console and a runabout style are still running strong.
They both have been modified from OEM specs with the runabout getting a full hull extension and the CC with a pod.
They where by far the cheapest boats on the market with self bailing decks and wide beams which was imperative to us.
They do pound a bit due to an 8 degree dead rise, but are very stable with 3 guys on one side.
I would be guessing on the dry weight, but know they where built strong

Very interesting, thank-you so much all of you. On my "17 Kingfisher - Ocean Sport" boat, realizing early that it was too stern heavy, i have extended the bottom of the transom back 16", on either side of 90 Merc, providing more planing lift at stern, and a convenient re-boarding platform. Then I installed a 92L bow tank to create more weight forward. I also installed higher quality shock-piston supported seats, after cutting off the aluminum boxes under the original seats.. Both modifications have improved ride a little. Not sure that there is more I can do to improve ride. I really love the deck layout and the space. All your responses have been interesting and a great help - thank-you !

Looks like they were made in B.C. someone on here should have the story. Google image search found these

Kingfisher Ocean Sport Welded Aluminum Boat

Kingfisher Ocean Sport welded aluminum boat. Well maintained, serviced regularly. Excellent West Coast fishing boat, durable, dual console, self bailing. Easy for beach access, fishing and prawning. 150 Yamaha Pro V, Tohatsu 9.8 Four Stroke, power tilt, power start - low hours, 2 - Scotty...

www.usedvictoria.com

Pacific Boat Brokers Weekly Hot News Sheet - New Listings and Price Changes

M

Thread '18ft Welded Aluminum Ocean Sport FOR SALE'

Jan 27, 2014

Damn.

I spent 6 months and a ton of cash making this boat just the way I wanted it. Unforeseen circumstance has meant I must downsize.

Here are the details:

Price: $25,000 Firm
Call Mike if interested in viewing or sea trial - serious inquiries only please. 250-858-8564

Built by Ocean Sport - these boats are well known enough, but are not made anymore. Not sure where they were manufactured, but it seemed as though they were mostly all lodge boats. In the last year this boat has fished Rennell Sound (West Coast of the Queen Charlottes), Douglas Channel near Kitimat, Winter...

• meatfish
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Buy / Sell / Trade / Wanted Forum

A friend and I bought 2 of these boats in 1992 from a company called ITM.
I think the owners name was Terry Tompkins.
He worked for a commercial boat builder in surrey prior to starting ITM. Which later became ocean sport I assume. They were located in coquitlam.
An ex bc ferry lodge in milbank sound ran his boats. Can’t think of the name.
Both the boats we purchased, a center console and a runabout style are still running strong.
They both have been modified from OEM specs with the runabout getting a full hull extension and the CC with a pod.
They where by far the cheapest boats on the market with self bailing decks and wide beams which was imperative to us.
They do pound a bit due to an 8 degree dead rise, but are very stable with 3 guys on one side.
I would be guessing on the dry weight, but know they where built strong

Looks like they were made in B.C. someone on here should have the story. Google image search found these

Kingfisher Ocean Sport Welded Aluminum Boat

Kingfisher Ocean Sport welded aluminum boat. Well maintained, serviced regularly. Excellent West Coast fishing boat, durable, dual console, self bailing. Easy for beach access, fishing and prawning. 150 Yamaha Pro V, Tohatsu 9.8 Four Stroke, power tilt, power start - low hours, 2 - Scotty...

www.usedvictoria.com

Pacific Boat Brokers Weekly Hot News Sheet - New Listings and Price Changes

M

Thread '18ft Welded Aluminum Ocean Sport FOR SALE'

Jan 27, 2014

Damn.

I spent 6 months and a ton of cash making this boat just the way I wanted it. Unforeseen circumstance has meant I must downsize.

Here are the details:

Price: $25,000 Firm
Call Mike if interested in viewing or sea trial - serious inquiries only please. 250-858-8564

Built by Ocean Sport - these boats are well known enough, but are not made anymore. Not sure where they were manufactured, but it seemed as though they were mostly all lodge boats. In the last year this boat has fished Rennell Sound (West Coast of the Queen Charlottes), Douglas Channel near Kitimat, Winter...

• meatfish
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Buy / Sell / Trade / Wanted Forum

 

[pcaker]

View attachment 112136
Very interesting, thank-you so much all of you. On my "17 Kingfisher - Ocean Sport" boat, realizing early that it was too stern heavy, i have extended the bottom of the transom back 16", on either side of 90 Merc, providing more planing lift at stern, and a convenient re-boarding platform. Then I installed a 92L bow tank to create more weight forward. I also installed higher quality shock-piston supported seats, after cutting off the aluminum boxes under the original seats.. Both modifications have improved ride a little. Not sure that there is more I can do to improve ride. I really love the deck layout and the space. All your responses have been interesting and a great help - thank-you !

Many thanks fishstix for all that very interesting and helpful info.

The ferry was the old Saltspring Island ferry. It used to moor off season in Ladner along the river.
St Johns lodge? It became Pacific Outback Resort after relocating near Campbell River on Hanson Island. (the old Double Bay Resort according to Google)