21 Jan. 6, 1998

Wahl Chooses Cummins New N14-M for New Boat

When Fred Wahl, of Fred Wahl Marine Construction inReedsport Oregon, builds a boat for himself, the Pacific coastmaritime community takes note. His latest vessel, the steel98X26-foot Vixen, is being built to an inhouse design fordelivery in mid-February. She will be the first west coast boatwith the new Cummins N14-M engines which were unveiled lastNovember at the 1997 Workboat show in New Orleans. With over 50percent of the parts new or redesigned the engine is a newgeneration based on the time proven dependability its ruggedpredecessor the Cummins 855. "This engine's modern design andexcellent record in highway trucks, are important sellingpoints," says well known Cummins dealer Tom Curry of Curry Marinein Newport Oregon, "In this case it fulfils the horsepower needsof this really fine looking schooner type vessel.

Producing a remarkable 480 hp each at 1800 RPM, the compact14 litre (855 cu.in.) six-cylinder engines will be linked to TwinDisc's new TD5114 reduction gears with a 4.84:1 ratio turningbronze four-blade 58X42-inch propellers. The engine room is builtaft of the 4600 cu.ft. fibreglassed and RSW fishholds. This isthe eighth new boat from Fred Wahl Marine Construction and therehave been a good many vessels repowered at the yard, "As a personwho builds and repairs boats for a living, I chose the newCummins N14 and the new Twin Disc 5114 gear," says Wahl.

Local financing for the Vixen is with Pacific State Bank,with other suppliers including Curry Marine, Pacific Laminations,and Manly Marine Closures. The new boat will depart afterFebruary sea trials for the Alaskan crab fishery but she can alsobe rigged for cod, west coast longlining and tuna trolling.Unlike most contemporary aft cabin fishing boats the Vixen "isbuilt with the house aft and a longline tunnel to the small backdeck," says Fred Wahl, "This boat is targeted at versatility andadaptability."

The "longline tunnel" is a starboard side walk through thatwill facilitate longlining. Forward the boat will have a raisedfoc'sle head with a shelter deck to port. In the lower foc'sle a25 kw hotel gen set will supply stand by power.

For More information about the boat:

Fred Wahl
Fred Wahl Marine Construction
100 Port Dock Rd.
Reedsport, Oregon, U.S.A. 97467
Phone: (541) 271-5720 Fax: (541) 271-4339

Engines supplied by:

Tom Curry
Curry Marine
1211 S.E. Bay Boulevard
Newport, Oregon 97365
Phone: (541) 265-7955 Fax: (541) 265-4226
Cel: (541) 271-5720

For a photo and information on the N14-M:

Rachel Bridges
Commercial Marine Sales
4500 Leeds Ave. Suite 301
Charleston , S.C. 29405-8521
Phone:(803) 745 1585 Fax: (803) 745 1549

500-476, 475-451, 450-426, 425-401, 400-376
375-351, 350-326, 325-301, 300-276, 275-251, 250-226, 225-201
200-176, 175-151, 150-126, 125-101, 100-76, 75-51, 50-26, 25-0