Big Sky sponsored the refurbishment of this retired trawler for the Creation Explorers Club. A group of dedicated young people have chipped and scraped on this vessel and returned it to seaworthy condition.

The Piper Cub seaplane is lifted onto the back deck and carried to interesting destinations where it is used for scientific observation and training.

The vessel is being used for marine and aviation training for young people in conjunction with non-profit ministry exploring God's creation.



Please feel free to inquire about this interesting project.

This film is now complete and available for purchase at CreationExplorers.com!

Trailer for the Creation Explorers film:

Trailer for the Creation Explorers film:

Work accomplished on the Creation Explorer, formerly the Susan Nicole of Astoria, since 6-04 :

Engine Room
  Cleaned bilge, painted with Ameron Red Oxide.
  Cleaned engine room and painted Ameron Grey.
  Cleaned battery areas and installed batteries in boxes with new battery cables.
  Recent oil change and oil / fuel filter service, main and genset ( 10-06).
  Cleaned engines and painted.
  Placards applied to engine room.
  Installed 35 gallon holding tank, macerator pump and plumbing on ceiling.
  Installed new 6” exhaust on main engine with new muffler and deck plate.
  New welder leads and painted welder.
  New ¾ plywood floor boards installed in engine room.
  New shaft seal in hydraulic pump, new hoses and hydraulic piping.
  New bilge / deck pump hoses and piping through deck plate.
  Certified 3 Halon engine room fire bottles.
  Improved wiring.
  Cleaned air filters.
  Replaced primary fuel filter.
  Replaced stdb. and port main fuel tank valves.
  Added diesel fuel additives.

Head
  Installed marine head and plumbing.
  Installed wash basin and plumbing.
  Installed ventilator.
  Carpet.
  Painted walls.

Galley
  Painted walls / Cupboards
  Installed new stove ventilator.
  Installed new refrigerator.
  Carpet.

Focsle
  Repaired floor boards.
  Cleaned out bilge.
  Constructed storage shelving.
  Fresh paint.
  Repaired bunks.
  Carpet.

House
  Constructed Railing on house roof.
  Certified all fire extinquishers.
  Constructed “crows nest” and ladder on mast.
  Repaired doors.
  Removed misc. weldments.
  Installed 2nd bunk in no. 2 Stateroom.
  Installed carpets.
  Fresh paint.

Wheel house
  Cleaned up electrical.
  Installed bell.
  Installed horn.
  Repaired doors.

Hydraulics and boom
  Constructed a boom gooseneck and installed a boom.
  Installed hydraulic winch on boom and mast, routed cables and pulley blocks.
  Installed some new hydraulic hoses to winches and new hydraulics to anchor winch.

Lazarette
  Installed new chain on rudder steering.

Deck
  Removed old wood deck, various steel brackets and fish gear.
  Painted deck.
  Removed aft bulwarks and installed stanchions and rope rail.
  Installed water access steps in stern chute.
  Installed Port bulwarks step down hinged dock stair.
  Installed stern bits.
  New hand rails on bulwarks opposite wheelhouse.
  Installed diving board bracket at stern.

Anchor
  Constructed hydraulic anchor winch and controls.
  Anchor drum fitted with 150’ of new 1” nylon rope and 80’ of galvanized ½ chain.
  Constructed new 300 lb. Anchor.

Paint
  Chipped, needled gunned rust overall.
  Applied Coroseal Rust Converter overall.
  Appled two coats of Ameron primer and topcoat overall.
  Painted bottom while in dry dock.

Drydock (2005)
  Repacked prop shaft seal.
  Painted bottom
  Checked / cleaned zincs.
  Checked bottom condition, cooler tubing.

Fuel tanks
  Added fuel additive
  Pump fuel out of rear tanks and filled with water ballast.

Fish hold
  Removed debris.
  Stowed 20 each 50 gallon barrels of water ballast.