Bay Weld Boats, Homer, Alaska, has delivered a new aluminum catamaran built for Juneau Whale Watch. The vessel, designed specifically for whale-watching operations in Southeast Alaska, is the latest addition to the company’s fleet.
The 49.5'x17.5’ vessel, Icy Bay, is a single-level passenger vessel with capacity for 49 passengers and two crew. Designed in-house, the newbuild marks the fourth Bay Weld vessel delivered to the Alaskan tourism company.
Bay Weld’s general manager and lead designer, Brad Conley, told WorkBoat that an important factor behind the Icy Bay’s design was not just passenger comfort or performance, but business efficiency. For operators like Juneau Whale Watch, he explained, the economics of each passenger seat drive the entire decision-making process.
“The point about those 49-passenger boats is the efficiency around having the outboards,” Conley said. “There’s a sweet spot in performance and efficiency with those outboards…For these businesses, it all comes down to, what does it cost them to buy that seat? Because then, they know how many times they have to fill it to pay for it.”
According to Conley, Bay Weld did extensive research into vessel size and propulsion combinations before settling on the 49-passenger model powered by quad Suzuki outboards. “That size boat, that number of people, with that propulsion: it was the lowest cost per seat of any combination we studied,” he said. “These [tourism] companies, the faster they can recapitalize their cost, the easier the decision becomes.”
Conley described the 49-passenger Subchapter T boat as a “magic place” in the regulatory and economic balance for operators. “Once you go bigger or lower passengers, you start running into regulatory changes with safety gear and whatnot. But right there, to be able to do that with outboards, it’s the cheapest propulsion you can get,” he said.
Bay Weld said the main cabin is arranged with forward-facing bench seating and a full-length center aisle, with boarding access provided through fore and aft side doors on both port and starboard. The Icy Bay features a large forward viewing deck and rooftop deck, reached by port-side stairs from the aft to maximize passenger visibility, Bay Weld said.
Bay Weld noted the total 1,200 hp produced by the quad Suzuki 300B outboard package allows the catamaran to cruise at 28 knots. Propulsion is supported by Solas stainless steel propellers and Sea Star electronic power steering. Fuel capacity is 500 gals.
Electronics include dual Garmin GPSMAP 8610xsv displays for chart plotting, depth sounding, and radar; Garmin GMR HD radar dome; dual Garmin VHF radios; Garmin AIS 800 receiver; aft-view video cameras; and an owner-supplied ICOM UHF radio.
The vessel is constructed of 5086 aluminum with 1/4" hull plating and 3/16" sides. Bay Weld noted the vessel is designed for passenger visibility and efficiency, including wraparound walkways and a wet bar snack area.
The centered pilot house offers 360-degree visibility, a full-width helm with dual navigation screens and control panels, and aft bench seating for crew. Sliding side doors and aft-view cameras provide additional operational awareness, the boatbuilder said. Passenger comfort is supported by dual diesel forced-air furnaces in the main cabin and a dedicated furnace in the wheelhouse. Amenities include a head with full-size toilet and sink on the aft deck.
Shipyard owner and president, Eric Englebrecht, highlighted that the Alaskan market is distinct from other regions. “You see this all over the country,” he said. “There are these little market sectors of passenger boats, all Coast Guard inspected, all built to similar requirements, but very different applications…The Alaskan market is unique in what we’re doing up here compared to some of those other passenger operations.”
The Icy Bay was delivered in July 2025.
