John Kaznecki, owner of Seacoast Machine and Fabrication, has “tuned up” his already popular crank-up bait/lobster box. With the improvement of the crank up ratchet system and the addition of the new box bottom that allows for a slight increase in volume, the box now appears more as if it was designed for a yacht than a working lobster boat.
When the crank-up mechanisms for these boxes first hit the market, there were a number of injuries resulting from the pall slipping or the operator losing his or her grip on the handle while cranking up a box full of bait. As a result, the crank would spin out of control, striking the operator with considerable force. At least one person was knocked unconscious, suffering a gash to the head.
Kaznecki, realizing this hazard needed to be addressed, designed his ratchet mchanism so that the handle could not be left on. Also, the release was relocated to the bottom of the ratchet housing. Now a person merely moving by the device can’t easily trip the release.
The method by which the box works is quite simple. A movable false bottom is attached through cables and pulleys to a pair of shafts. As the crank is turned, the bottom is raised evenly. This allows the bait or lobster level (the difference between the type of box is only in the plumbing) can be raised to allow the fisherman to remove bait or lobster from the box without bending over, adding efficiency and putting less strain on the back.
The boxes are 48 inches long by 27 inches wide and 35 inches deep. The lobster box is $1,100 and the bait box is $1,000. The lobster box will hold an estimated 800 pounds and the bait box holds 15-16 bushels of bait.
Seacoast Machine can be reached at 207 594-7207 or by email at seacoastmachine@wmconnect.com.