Constant has achieved great things in the half-century since she was delivered. She started life as the largest Dogger Bank trawler from the boards of the Vripack Design and Engineering studio and the first commissioned for export. Dogger Bank trawlers are named for a large sandbank in the North Sea, 100 kms (62 mi) off England’s east coast.
Over the years, ownership changes saw Constant journey from the Netherlands – she was built by the Jongert Shipyard north of Amsterdam – to Curaçao and later Malta. In 1982, the boat was sold to Jon and Ann Bowman of Anacortes, WA, and a 40-year tenure as a treasured family vessel began.
“We lived in the Pacific Northwest aboard a 25m fiberglass trawler that my dad built,” remembers Deveren Bowman, daughter of Jon and Ann. “When that boat sadly caught fire, we bought Constant as a replacement.”
“Over the years, Dad simplified the systems and remodeled the galley and master cabin, but Constant’s integrity as a seagoing boat can never be questioned. And that’s what Dad wanted: a go-anywhere boat.”
The family embarked on a series of thrilling adventures, cruising to Skagway, soaring over Glacier Bay, circumnavigating Vancouver Island, and uncovering the hidden gems of Alaska’s Inside Passage and Canada’s Queen Charlotte Islands.
“We did lots of exploring and often went ashore on land excursions,” says Deveren. “All three of us are qualified pilots, so we’d take planes out and fly them over icy glaciers and big tundra.”
Jon, an aerobatics pilot who flew jets at air shows, balanced his time between the skies and the water, creating a unique lifestyle for the family. “We formed lasting connections with people from all walks of life, including Northwest Coast Indians, and made friends in every port we visited. Constant, with her striking beauty, fuel efficiency, and smooth sailing, always drew attention and admiration,” recalls Deveren.
Development of the Dogger Bank line of offshore yachts began in the late 1960s on the boards of Dutch naval architect Dick Boon. It was Constant’s classic trawler design that appealed to the Bowmans. “She has that high bow and a nice sheer line going aft with a big stern deck,” says Deveren.
“In the early days, there weren’t many yachts in the Pacific Northwest. The water was so clear in the shallows you didn’t always have to put down a crab pot. We just netted crabs straight out.”
In the first few months of ownership, the Bowmans retained the previous owner’s captain to learn about the boat. We’re still good friends with him,” says Deveren, although the Bowmans soon began self-piloting and converted the captain’s cabin into a cozy family library.
They also refitted the pilot house, adding a sofa and table for when underway. “It was our main hangout where we spent time together, with one of us driving and the rest having lunch or chatting about plans.”
Deveren also favored being up top outside, manning the second helm. “For a couple of years, we lost our autopilot, so that job fell to me,” she says, smiling. In 2021, after four decades of adventure, the annual maintenance and upkeep became too much in their older age, and the Bowmans sold Constant to its current owner. My dad’s now in his 90s and can no longer hop into the engine room or crawl underneath areas,” says Deveren.
Jon and Ann miss Constant sorely! Listed for sale again in 2024, a new era for Constant looms on the horizon. She will be displayed at the May 16-18 TrawlerFest Boat Show in Anacortes, WA.
THE DOGGER BANK LEGEND
The Dogger Bank’s rugged offshore design was drawn by Vripack founder Dick Boon in 1968. A high bow for traversing rough waters and ample tank capacity for long-distance exploration. The Dogger Bank is a seafaring ambassador for Dutch quality and precision naval architecture. It lets clients own a new build based on an existing platform, with the benefit of shorter lead times, proven performance and safety records, and fully updated systems.
