Port Angeles’ largest yacht begins to take shape

Published 12:01 am Sunday, January 16, 2005

PORT ANGELES — Until now, only blueprints and artists’ renderings could foretell the full splendor of Westport Shipyard’s newest and largest yacht.

But the massive frame of the 164-foot tri-deck boat was enough to take people’s breath away Saturday as they viewed the yacht inside the company’s waterfront plant.

“Mind-boggling, is what it is,” said a man to his companion while they perused the semi-completed vessel which, when finished, will carry a $30 million price tag.

Westport has added the three decks to Hull 5001, the biggest production boat built in the world.

And so, fittingly, the company held a “stacking the houses” celebration Saturday for employees, family members, friends and the public to get a glimpse of Westport’s flagship yacht.

“This is quite a milestone today to get the boat to this stage,” said Bruce Ford, general manager of the Port Angeles facility.

“This is a big deal for the yacht world in general. This has never been done at this level.”