Van Helker
Boatshed Port Townsend
Contact Van Helker
About Van Helker
Run by the longtime boater and former professional mariner Van Helker, Boatshed Port Townsend is well positioned to represent boats around the Olympic Peninsula - including Port Angeles, Port Hadlock, Port Ludlow, Kingston, Poulsbo, Bremerton, and beyond.
Van’s parents, Scott and Lisa (founders of Waterline Boats and Helmsman Trawlers), started Van out boating at an early age. As a young adult Van spent time working on a commercial fishing boat in the Bering Sea, before joining NOAA Corps as a commissioned officer. As a NOAA Corps officer Van trained at the US Merchant Marine Academy prior to working as a deck officer aboard a 224 ft research vessel, where he earned a USCG 1600-ton 3rd mate license.
After NOAA, Van continued his on-the-water career by starting Fjordlux Oyster Farm on Hood Canal with his wife, Alice, and by joining the Helmsman Trawlers team. With Helmsman Trawlers, Van has learned the ins-and-outs of building, commissioning, and supporting owners of these fine trawler yachts.
In 2020 Van joined Waterline Boats and Boatshed Port Townsend. Through this he has supported the purchase and sale of a variety of vessels to date, including a classic Willard 47 Dover Pilothouse, custom trawler-conversion, to late-model Jeanneaus, Ranger Tugs, and Nordic Tugs, and Helmsman Trawlers.
Don't hesitate to contact Van with any questions about selling your boat, or finding the right boat.
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