Pybus Point Lodge Proudly Launches 2 Luxury Commercial Fishing Vessels from ACI Boats 

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Pybus Point Lodge is all about enjoying the magic of Alaska in style. We are proud to offer our guests an all-inclusive package complete with luxury lodging, gourmet dining, world class fishing, and unbelievable wildlife excursions. In an effort to improve the experience that we offer to our guests each summer, we’ve partnered with our friends at ACI Boats to launch two brand new, custom designed, and state-of-the-art commercial fishing and touring vessels. 

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“When we first discussed adding two new catamaran boats to our fleet, we knew we couldn’t settle for anything but the best. ACI Boats offered us a chance to partner with them in building these ultra high performing boats that also offer a sleek and comfortable cabin interior, and world-class safety options. After meeting with Cory Armstrong, we knew that he and his staff were the right crew for the job. They helped us custom design and build what we feel are the ultimate Alaska fishing vessels!” -Pybus Guest Service Team

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Going all the way back to the ideation phase of the project, ACI showed how much they valued our input, and they collaborated with us every step of the way. From brainstorming designs, to overcoming COVID related supply chain setbacks, to the actual construction of the vessels, ACI stayed in constant communication to ensure that every detail of these boats was perfectly engineered to cater to our guests’ needs as they traverse the waters of Alaska’s Inside Passage. Because of the constant, constructive back and forth between us and ACI, we view these boats as a testament to what our companies can accomplish when they work together. 

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‍WHO IS ACI?

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Proudly running out of Port Townsend Washington with an additional facility in Anchorage Alaska, ACI has spent years crafting and building commercial grade aluminum boats and they specialize in recreational amenities. Created, owned, and operated by Cory Armstrong, a man that has spent nearly his entire life in the marine industry both as a manufacturer and as a USCG certified captain in his own right. 

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“When the Pybus team first approached us, they made it clear that their guests’ experience is their top priority. That’s why we built these boats with families in mind. We wanted to give people a home away from home while they’re out exploring Alaska.” Cory Armstrong

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Coming from a unique and humble background, Cory grew up completely off-grid on a remote island in British Columbia with his parents who sailed to B.C. themselves all the way from San Francisco in the late 1960s. As you can imagine given he and his parents’ backgrounds, boats weren’t just a part of Cory’s life, they were a way of life–he even paddled himself in a small boat to and from school every day. From a young age, Cory mastered the art of welding and became the lead night welder for Western Aluminum Craft by the young age of 17. From then on, Cory spent decades in the boat manufacturing business, started multiple successful companies, and even attained his own 100 Ton Master license with an Auxiliary Sail and Towing Endorsement from the United States Coast Guard. The decades of experience sailing, captaining, and crafting boats has culminated in a complete mastery of his craft–a mastery that is immediately clear to anyone who has seen what ACI Boats is capable of. Working with his team of skilled engineers, welders, designers, and craftsmen in their impressive 20,000 square foot facility, ACI Boats has built upon generations of knowledge to craft and standardize a catamaran aluminum hull that optimizes efficiency, performance, and safety. 

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ACI Boats are also experts at designing and creating state-of-the-art, luxury cabins for recreation, commercial, and custom vessels that serve a multitude of purposes such as commercial fishing, scenic ecological touring, and conducting scientific surveying voyages. Every aspect of an ACI built boat is done in house, from framing to creating the ideal captain’s computer station by one of ACI’s own highly skilled professionals.

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“We couldn’t be more proud of these boats. From top to bottom both vessels are optimized to give passengers and guides the best possible experience on the water.” Cory Armstrong

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NEW BOATS

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Specs and Features

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Pybus Point Lodge is proud to announce the launching of Windfall and Fanshaw! Each of these identical vessels are 42’ long with a beam of 14’ and have a 360º wraparound deck making them perfect for fishing and sightseeing in Alaska’s famous Inside Passage. 

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Plus, there’s nearly 360º visibility from within the cabin at all times. Nearly the entire cabin is lined with 1/4" commercial grade direct bond glass windows and doors making these ideal sightseeing boats. Thanks to ACI Boats, you’ll never miss seeing a whale breach, a salmon jump, or a glacier calve while on board.

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Both boats boast an impressive top speed of 53 MPH at 6100 RPMs thanks to a set of twin Mercury Marine v12 600 HP Verado outboard motors. On the main deck you’ll find everything you need for the ultimate Alaskan fishing experience: a gorgeous bathroom with running water, a remote controlled bow ramp for beach access, a massive hydraulic fish locker, 2 downriggers, 4 electric reel plugins, and LED deck lights. 

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Each cabin is built to comfortably carry up to 12 passengers–plus a captain and crew members. While inside you’ll notice the gorgeous insulated wood paneled roof, hand welded aluminum floors lined with a stylish deck grip, and the matching vinyl upholstered seats. Speaking of seats, ACI really outdid themselves. Each boat has 4 cushy Shockwave seats for sightseeing, and 2 matching dinette tables with cup holders and comfy foam bench seats (each bench seats 2 passengers). At the helm there’s a bullhead mounted Shoxs 6300 captain’s chair and a bench seat in the aft for any additional crew.

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To make things even more enjoyable, each boat has a JL Audio stereo system with 2 subwoofers and 6 interior speakers. There are also 6 usb ports mounted throughout the interior making it easy and convenient to charge a phone or other device no matter where you are in the cabin.

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When it comes to navigation and communication each boat sports a Garmin radome, 2 flush mounted Garmin 16” multi function screens at the helm, a 9” multi function screen in the aft captain’s station, a GPS antenna, and an ICOM 506 radio mounted at both the helm and the aft captain’s station.

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What Our Captains Say

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Captains Casey Shaw and Ryan Otis are currently running Windfall and Fanshaw respectively. When asked what his experience was like guiding guests in his boat this past summer, Captain Ryan Otis had this to say:

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“I love the perfect combination of comfort and performance. Having a boat that is equally as comfortable as it is capable has been a game changer.”

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Thanks to the plentiful seating and massive wraparound deck, both our guests and our captains have a phenomenal experience on the boat. When you’re a guide on a small, poor quality vessel it can be difficult to manage 6 people fishing all at one time. On Windfall and Fanshaw however, there’s plenty of room for everyone and all the fish they can catch.

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‍“Being able to crash through heavy seas in comfort has opened the door to many more fishing and sightseeing opportunities. The outer deck of the ACI is all business giving us a stable, open, and fully outfitted space for fishing with all your favorite people. Meanwhile inside the cab you have fully appointed comfort; you have tables for lunchtime or card games and two rows of full shock suspension captains chairs for those who like to watch for wildlife.” 

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The exceptionally well designed hulls on these boats make traveling through rough waters seamless and pleasant for those aboard. In weather conditions that can make for a miserable experience on other commercial guiding vessels, these boats from ACI handle like a dream and leave our guests with more time spent on the water enjoying everything that Alaska has to throw at them.

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BOOK YOUR DREAM VACATION!

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Fanshaw and Windfall have been officially launched and are available for parties of 7 or more people. With plush, roomy cabins and sturdy hull design, these boats are perfect for families that are looking for an Alaskan adventure that’s fun for all ages. Thanks to the hard working team at ACI Boats, everyone from your toddler to your grandparents can enjoy a summer vacation reeling in halibut, slaying salmon, whale watching, visiting the Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier, and so much more in comfort and style!

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If you want to learn more about our boats and other Alaska adventure related topics like our  float plane, fly fishing tours, or guided saltwater fishing tours just follow us on instagram, facebook, tiktok, and youtube! 

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To book your own vacation in Alaska at our all-inclusive resort, or to ask any questions about what we offer at Pybus Point Lodge, click here or give us a call at 435-412-4286!

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