One Canadian angler’s lifelong quest to build his perfect West Coast fishing boat

One thing was non-negotiable: the boat had to be built locally, by Canadian hands. I visited boat shows, toured marine shops, spoke with builders, studied welds and layouts, and asked questions—lots of them. That search led me back to Campbell River, and to Shadowline Boats, a company with an outstanding reputation for craftsmanship and care. With Shadowline located near Painter’s Lodge, it was only fitting this new chapter would begin in the very waters where my family’s story was first written.

Owners Don Cornbill and Rene Larson welcomed the project with warmth and enthusiasm. From the beginning, it was clear this would be a collaboration, not a transaction. At our first meeting, Rene asked a question that really made me think: “What do you want in a boat?”

I answered with a memory. When I was a child and my father would open up the throttle on his boat, I would stretch my arms wide, feeling as though I were flying, weightless above the water, lifted by speed and wind. I wanted a boat that could capture that same sense of freedom and quiet exhilaration, I told Rene. I also shared my rough sketch of a marbled murrelet, a small seabird native to the Pacific Northwest. “Could we design a vessel that honoured its shape, and its spirit?” I asked.

Rene paused in thought, then said, “This would be a first, but I’m sure Donny can build a boat around the image of a bird.” Smiling, she added, “This is going to be fun.”

And it was.

Shadowline brought together a remarkable team of local talent to help realize the vision, experts in aluminum, electronics, upholstery, custom fabrication and design (see “It takes a village”). Every craftsperson brought skill, spirit and dedication to the boat-building process, which began in the summer of 2023 and ended the following spring. What emerged isn’t just a boat—it is a living, breathing expression of place, purpose and partnership. Crafted with skill, heart and deep respect for the West Coast, it’s a testament to the pride of local boat builders.