Fishing Q&A

What are the booms for on large longliner fishing boats, such as the Andrea Gail? Is it for stabilization?

I know that some fishing boats use the booms for nets, but what about the others?

Public Comments

1. Weight distribution.
2. Stabilization
3. I believe they hold the nets while dragging for fish. When you see them out to the sides, the nets are down.
4. The stabilizers, or "fish" as they're called, help to prevent excessive rolling of the vessel. They generate lift which increases as the vessel lists to one side then the other in a sea, flattening out the oscillation effect, making for a more comfortable voyage.
5. They are outriggers for trolling multiple lines. They can trail several lines from each outrigger. They also hang 'flopper stoppers' from the outriggers to control rolling.