FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: KETCHIKAN, ALASKA / June 1, 2015 – Chinook Shores Lodge, a Ketchikan Alaska fishing lodge specializing in self-guided fishing and bareboat charters, today announced the addition of its first custom-built 23′ Silver Streak rental boat, christened White Lightning. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in the lodge’s evolution — and the beginning of a deliberate transition away from its original fleet of 20′ North River Seahawks.

When Jeff Wedekind opened Chinook Shores Lodge in 2005, the lodge launched with just two North River Seahawks moored at Knudson Cove Marina, before a private dock was built in front of the lodge. Over the years the fleet grew to five 20′ North River Seahawks with 140hp engines — reliable workhorses that served guests well in the calm waters of Ketchikan’s Inside Passage. But as the lodge’s reputation for self-guided and unguided fishing grew, Wedekind began searching for a boat that could elevate the bareboat charter experience to the next level.

That search ended with Silver Streak.

“I looked at a lot of boats before I found the right one,” said Jeff Wedekind, owner of Chinook Shores Lodge. “Silver Streak builds one of the finest welded aluminum fishing boats on the West Coast. White Lightning is everything our self-guided anglers need — safe, comfortable, and purpose-built for the waters of Southeast Alaska.”

Silver Streak Boats has built a reputation over nearly three decades as one of the premier welded all-aluminum boat builders on the West Coast. White Lightning arrives fully equipped for serious unguided fishing in Ketchikan:

• 23′ Hard Top with 8’5″ Beam
• 150hp Outboard Engine with 9.9hp Kicker
• Aluminum Self-Bailing Decks with Deck Wash Down Pump
• Bow Cockpit with High Profile Handrails
• Transom Handrails and Downrigger Mounts
• Fish Box in Transom with Cutting Board
• Fish Box w/ Removable Liner in Aft Deck Compartment
• Cabin Top Handrails
• Scotty Downriggers
• Horizon VHF Radio
• Garmin GPSMAP Marine Chartplotter with CHIRP Sonar Fishfinder
• Vinyl Upholstered Swivel Seats on Shock Absorbing Back-Saver Pedestals
• Walk-Thru 3-Piece Windshield

Safety is built into every aspect of White Lightning’s construction. In addition to solid aluminum hard tops and fully welded aluminum self-bailing decks, the hull and gunnels are sprayed with closed cell polyurethane flotation foam. Combined with a Horizon VHF radio and Garmin GPS chartplotter, saltwater anglers can pursue self-guided fishing in Ketchikan with the highest level of confidence and safety in the industry.

With White Lightning now in the water at Chinook Shores Lodge’s private dock, guests pursuing self-guided salmon and halibut fishing in Knudson Cove and Clover Pass will experience a new standard in rental boat quality — one that will define the lodge’s bareboat charter fleet for years to come.

About Chinook Shores Lodge Chinook Shores, Inc. (dba Chinook Shores Lodge) is located 15 miles north of Ketchikan International Airport in Southeast Alaska on Revillagigedo Island. Accommodations include four waterfront beach houses, one waterview vacation rental and The Inn at Knudson Cove. All vacation rental properties feature fully equipped kitchens, private outdoor BBQ areas, washer/dryers, TV, WiFi and cell service. Chinook Shores Lodge specializes in self-guided fishing and rents custom-built, 23′ aluminum hardtop fishing boats from their private dock to locals and lodge guests. For more information, visit chinookshores.com.

About Silver Streak Boats Silver Streak Boats has been building premium welded aluminum fishing boats for nearly 30 years. For more information, visit silverstreakboats.com.