Meridian Star
Owner Greg McDonald and the team at Dongara Marine combined to revitalise this classic 52 foot GBB crayboat.
John Fitzhardinge, who designed the boat and was a Director of Geraldton Boat Builders (GBB) when it was built, says Meridian Star was a better boat after its three-month refit than when it was originally launched back in 1987.
Greg McDonald, a highly experience commercial fisherman, has bought this boat twice: it was originally built for him, and fished for the family from Kalbarri and the Abrolhos for 10 years until he bought a larger boat and sold Meridian Star. He acquired it again in 2017 for his son Jack to fish with, prompting the refit.
The work list called on many of our in-house capabilities including aluminium fabrication, fitout, painting, and electrical. This included:
- Replacing some sections of side plating and the pot rails and fabricated and fitting a side awning and flybridge screen;
- Complete internal refit of the accommodation and wheelhouse including mostly new joinery in the wheelhouse, new air conditioning, new upholstery and new direct glazed windows;
- Blasted and painting the boat inside and out, insulating the engine room, and partially rewiring the electrical system.
Everyone at Dongara Marine was delighted to have been able to help maintain the personal connection between the McDonald family and Meridian Star, which now has many years of good fishing left in it.
“Meridian Star is like a new boat now, probably better than when new.”
John Fitzhardinge - Designer
