Whidbey Island's own Sea Fighter

The Sea Fighter - Originally called the "X" Craft

I've gotta admit that seeing the pictures of the Navy's new Sea Fighter catamaran makes me kinda proud, since it was built right here on Whidbey island in Western Washington state, by Nichol's Brothers boat builders. Around here it's called the "boat yard", or just "Nichol's".

Back when I was in High school (just after Noah docked the ark!), I got to know the "Nichol's Boys" pretty well. Frank, the the head of the clan, brought his wife and kids (eleven brothers and sisters) to Whidbey island in the early sixties, as I remember.

The took over a small, old-time machine shop on the end of Holmes harbor that had been previously run by Red Cameron, (another local character, but that's another post!).

The old metal lathes and other machines were more or less worn out. They were all driven by flat leather belts that came down to the machines from shafts and pulleys hooked to the ceiling. Wooden one by fours hung down from the cone clutches on the overhead shafts so you could start and stop the machines.

Frank managed to keep his family fed by doing repairs to the local farmers and loggers equipment, while a bit at a time, re-building and fixing up the old machinery, maybe a small fishing boat, or modifying one for a fisherman who couldn't afford to get it done anywhere else. Above all, Frank was a master inventor and machinist, and much of what he knew he passed on to his sons.

As years went by, the boat yard became more and more successful, and their reputation grew. More and more employees were hired, and the business continued to grow to where it is today, one of the largest employers in the county.

They started out with practically nothing, and built it, through a lot of hard work, into a family business of which they can justifiably be proud.

That's the American Dream, isn't it!