Mikelson SF

That link is broken... there's no such domain as www.*********.com

It's you - different strokes for different folks, or so the saying goes. They are serving a niche market that does not cater to the slanted windshield, euro-design, wedding cake layer crowd.

Agree with you on the Mikelsons.
Their 59 Nomad is so close to being beautiful, yet at the same time.....it's like someone hit it with the ugly stick on the way out the factory. I think their layout is fantastic and covers so many of the issues I was referring to in the evolution of the sportfisher.
As for the other models, very Fexas and very utaliterian but also have that strong sea boat look about them. I would like to sea trial the Nomad one day, seems the seas it was designed and built for are similar to our own Downunder.

I agree with you about the appearance of Nomads, but I ordered one anyway (took delivery 5 years ago). Functionality is first rate, but I have some disappointment with the factory on warranty and commissioning issues. Maybe its just me (since they claim that 80%+ of orders come from current Mikelson owners), but those issues left a bad taste in my mouth.

I think the Nomad has nice "expedition" lines up to the "tower" and then they could have taken a page from Jones Goodell.. Love those boats, don't know the quality, but the interiors are great, spacious, functional. And if you have to have a motoryachtfisherboat, they seem to marry it all together rather well.

You are a very lucky yachtsman.

Is this a Monk design?

Yes she is, from Ed Monk Jr's discrete office in Bainbridge Island, hard to find unless you know where you are looking.
He did many projects with Jones Goodell, may have been their exclusive design firm just as he has been with Nordlund.
The Mikelson has more of a light "Expedition" design theme while Jones Goodell is a more refined Pilothouse Cockpit Motoryacht.

Not surprised, there is something that stands out with Ed Monk and Monk Jnr.
One of my very favourite designers.
Here is an absolute beauty:
A 68 Tollycraft that has been extended from an original 61. I prefer the 65, however there were very few built and the 61 lacked the right sized cockpit, hence this one was extended by 7' at the Tollycraft factory.
https://www.yatco.com/vessel/info/216100/68ft-21m/1992/tollycraft-for-sale-stuart-united-states

Below is a YouTube of Grand Time. I hope Carl doesn't mind a link to YouTube, but the boat is sold so there is no commercial value in posting this.

A bit slow this New Years day, just realised what you were getting at regarding the tower!
Probably the only tower I have seen that doesn't detract from a boats lines. Excellent!

They built I think a 92' that was dreamy.

If you have to troll from a motoryacht, that tower would be the answer. AND I bet it would be pretty nice to be up there when docking in tight quarters, looks like you can see the entire boat.

We call it a bucket. It's the go-to design for many of the pilothouse yachtfishers built on the west coast.

Looks like a part of the yacht rather than some construction scaffolding.
Best put my fire suit on in case some Pipewelder fans are visiting.

Nice S-band


and not just west coast - one of my fav builders Tribute - Steve French design



and from one of the advertisers here


and most dreamy - best of both worlds


AND I hope I didn't violate anything by posting all of these!

Getting back to the Mikelson boats, they were designed by Tom Fexas, and do have a "classic" look about them, a lot of people like that look. They also have a very large free board, so much so that you need longer gaff's to get to a fish without climbing onto the swim platform. The 50 foot SF has more interior room than most 60 footers, and I don't know of any other 50's that have a 16'8" beam. The Owners both have 50 footers,(last time I checked) and can run from San Diego to Cabo on one tank of gas. I'm a big fan of Mikelson's, I've always had a lot of respect for them. I was working on a project with Tom before he passed away. It was a marine project not related to boats.

We ran my Nomad from San Diego, fished the ridge to Cabo then up to La Paz on less than 1/2 the 2300 gallon fuel capacity.

Now that's the way to use these boats, great set-up for a great trip!

There use to be a lot of SoCal yachtsman, owner/operators, that would embrace the lifestyle and run these long range trips yearly, and I have to wonder were have they all gone? You would think the Nomad model would have sales of 20+ units, but the ones that have been sold seem to go to the type of owner who enjoys being away from the dock. It seems like the Nomad is ideally suited for this West Coast Long Range Cruising and a nice replacement for the old Elliott Yachts that were so iconic in the "day".

Now I look at the local marinas and see new Meridians / Sea Rays that will make a trip to Catalina (30 - 60 miles depending on which Harbor you are from) as their "big adventure". Not sure if it is the new generation of yachts person, or if todays' businesses allow for less freedom from the office, or maybe there is less desire/trust in cruising down south?

I know some of the experienced guys have taken up permanent slips in B.C. (as well as some who have done the same in La Paz) so maybe keeping station at the destination of choice is the preferred method?

I am hull number 15 (they skipped 13) and I believe they have produced 3 after mine (which was delivered almost 6 years ago). The recession certainly impaired demand and I believe the price has gone up significantly since I ordered mine.

The interesting thing is that most of the Nomads get around. I have seem them in La Paz, Cabo, PV, and the San Juan/Gulf islands. I know several have been to Alaska, and (at least) one was to the Cocos and Galapagos. In fact, there are four (counting mine) on the same dock in Mexico right now.

Perfect boat for how I would use it!