Photo provided

Bay Weld launches newest large boat

Bay Weld Boats of Homer launched its latest large boat, the P/V Atlin, earlier this month. Built for Juneau Tours, the 49.5-foot long, 17.5-foot wide catamaran will work as a whale watching passenger vessel. With a crew of three, it holds 49 passengers. The Atlin is part of a multi-boat, multi-year contract with Juneau Tours. Bay Weld signed the contract in August 2016 to build the Atlin, began construction in November and launched the boat on May 13. With quad 350-horsepower Yamaha outboards, Atlin’s top speed is 42 knots unloaded and 28 knots cruising speed with a full load. Atlin left Homer last week for Juneau and will begin operations in June. It is the first catamaran built by Bay Weld Boats, a division of Bay Welding Services, the company started in 1974 by Allen and Linda Engebretsen.