Time Bandit: A Name Synonymous With Success And Adventure

The F/V Time Bandit is a commercial crab fishing vessel owned and operated by the Hillstrand brothers, Johnathan and Andy, and occasionally, Neal. The boat was designed by their father, John Sr., and custom-built by the Hillstrands themselves. The Time Bandit is adorned with the Jolly Roger on its prow and features unusual amenities for a crab fishing boat, such as queen-size beds, a four-person sauna, and a dishwasher. The vessel has been featured on the Discovery Channel's reality TV series Deadliest Catch, showcasing the dangerous and demanding lives of crab fishermen in the Bering Sea. The boat's unique name, Time Bandit, reflects the high stakes and challenging nature of the fishing industry, where time is of the essence and every second counts in the pursuit of a successful catch.

The boat was designed by the Hillstrand brothers' father, John Sr

The F/V Time Bandit is a commercial crab fishing vessel owned and operated by the Hillstrand brothers, Johnathan, Andy, and Neal. It is one of the most iconic boats to feature on the Discovery Channel series "Deadliest Catch". The Time Bandit was designed by the Hillstrand brothers' father, John Sr., and custom-built by the Hillstrands themselves. John Sr. was a lifelong fisherman who passed away in 2002 at the age of 62. The Time Bandit is a living memory of him and his legacy.

The boat was constructed by Giddings Boatworks in Coos Bay or Charleston, Oregon, in 1991. It is a 113-foot house-aft boat with a 28-foot beam and an 8-foot draft. The Time Bandit is powered by two 425-horsepower Cummins engines, giving it a cruising speed of 9 knots. It has an impressive hold capacity of 120,000 pounds for king crab, 175,000 for snow crab, and 365,000 to 370,000 pounds for salmon.

The Time Bandit's unique design includes a four-person sauna, state rooms with queen-size beds, and a dishwasher—amenities that are unusual for a crab fishing boat. John Sr. and his sons custom-built the boat's interior, ensuring that it was both functional and comfortable. The Hillstrand brothers have a strong connection to the Time Bandit, as it was named after their father's first boat, on which they learned to fish.

The Time Bandit made its first appearance on "Deadliest Catch" in the second season, with Johnathan as captain and Andy as co-captain. The boat became a staple of the show, known for its skull-and-crossbones adornment and the Hillstrand brothers' daring fishing ventures. However, in recent years, the Time Bandit has been notably absent from the series, with reports of engine trouble, repairs, and plans to auction the vessel. Despite these setbacks, the Time Bandit has returned to the seas and can be seen again in action in later seasons of "Deadliest Catch", with Johnathan at the helm.

It was custom-built by the Hillstrands themselves

The F/V Time Bandit is a commercial crab fishing vessel owned by brothers Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand. It was custom-built by the Hillstrands themselves, with the overall design created by their father, John Sr. The boat was constructed by Giddings Boatworks in Charleston, Oregon, in 1991.

The Hillstrand brothers played a significant role in designing the Time Bandit's unusual interior. The boat includes unique amenities such as queen-size beds, a four-person sauna, and a dishwasher, which are not commonly found on a crab fishing boat. These features set the Time Bandit apart from other vessels and showcase the Hillstrands' attention to detail and desire for comfort during their time at sea.

The Time Bandit is a 113-foot house-aft boat with a 28-foot beam and an 8-foot draft. It is powered by two engines, providing a cruising speed of 9 knots. The vessel has an impressive hold capacity, capable of storing 120,000 pounds of king crab, 175,000 pounds of snow crab, and 365,000 to 370,000 pounds of salmon.

The Hillstrands' father, John Sr., was a lifelong fisherman who passed away in 2002. The Time Bandit serves as a living memory of him and his legacy. The brothers inherited the boat from their father, and it holds a special place in their hearts due to its connection to their family. The Time Bandit was named after John Sr.'s first boat, on which he taught his sons to fish.

The Time Bandit has become a well-known vessel, especially through its appearances on the Discovery Channel series "Deadliest Catch." It has been featured on the show since the second season and has gained a dedicated fan following. The boat's distinctive design, skilled construction, and association with the Hillstrand family have contributed to its iconic status in the world of crab fishing and reality television.

The boat's unusual amenities include queen-size beds, a sauna, and a dishwasher

The F/V Time Bandit is a commercial crab fishing vessel owned and operated by the Hillstrand brothers, Johnathan and Andy, and occasionally their brother Neal. It is perhaps the most iconic of all the crab-fishing vessels featured on Discovery's "Deadliest Catch". The Time Bandit is adorned with the Jolly Roger on its prow, and has been a staple of the show since its second season.

The boat was constructed by Giddings Boatworks in Coos Bay or Charleston, Oregon, in 1991. It was the Hillstrands who came up with its design, including its unusual amenities. Three of the brothers had a hand in designing the ship's unusual interior, which includes a four-person sauna, state rooms with queen-size beds, and a dishwasher. The overall design was done by the brothers' father, John Hillstrand Sr., a lifelong fisherman who passed away in 2002.

The unusual amenities of the Time Bandit reflect the Hillstrands' desire to include some comforts that are typically unheard of in a crab boat. The queen-size beds, for example, offer a more spacious and comfortable sleeping arrangement than the typical bunks found on fishing vessels. The four-person sauna provides a relaxing and rejuvenating space for the crew to unwind after long days at sea. Finally, the dishwasher offers a convenient and time-saving solution to the tedious task of washing dishes by hand, especially when dealing with the mess of crab fishing.

These amenities not only provide comfort and convenience for the crew but also reflect the Hillstrands' attention to detail and their desire to create a unique and well-appointed vessel. The inclusion of these unusual features showcases the brothers' commitment to creating a boat that stands out from the rest and offers a more luxurious experience for those braving the harsh and dangerous conditions of crab fishing on the Bering Sea.

The Time Bandit was auctioned off for $2.8 million

The Time Bandit, a commercial fishing boat, was put up for auction in 2019 for $2.8 million. The boat was featured on the Discovery Channel show Deadliest Catch, where it was captained by brothers Johnathan, Andy, and Neal Hillstrand. The vessel made its TV debut in 2006 during the show's second season and appeared in most seasons until the brothers left the show at the end of season 13. The Time Bandit was custom-built by the Hillstrand family in 1991 and is 113 feet long with a 20,000-gallon fuel capacity. It can hold 175,000 pounds of crab and 365,000 pounds of salmon in its refurbished fish holds. In addition to its fishing capabilities, the Time Bandit also features unusual amenities such as queen-size beds, a four-person sauna, and a dishwasher.

The decision to auction off the boat was due in part to the Hillstrand brothers' departure from the show, as well as personal reasons. Neal Hillstrand and his wife, Sugayle Marie Hillstrand, filed for divorce in October 2018, which entitled her to a share of the boat if it were sold. Despite the boat's long and illustrious history, including witnessing both massive hauls and somber moments, it was time for the Hillstrand family to part ways with their beloved vessel.

The auction listing for the Time Bandit highlighted its many features and recent upgrades, including deck cranes, a full electronics package, an updated galley, and staterooms. With a starting bid of $2.8 million, the Time Bandit was a sought-after vessel for those looking to own a piece of Deadliest Catch history. The auction marked the end of an era for the Hillstrand family and the Time Bandit's stint on Deadliest Catch.

The boat's engine exploded, forcing it to sit out Season 15 of Deadliest Catch

The F/V Time Bandit is a commercial fishing boat that was featured on the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" from seasons 2 to 13. The boat was owned and operated by the Hillstrand brothers, Johnathan, Andy, and Neal, and was a fan-favourite on the show.

In 2018, Captain Johnathan Hillstrand announced that the Time Bandit would be sitting out the crab fishing season due to an unexpected malfunction—its engine had exploded. This marked the first time in 38 years that the boat would not be participating in the Bering Sea King crab season.

The explosion occurred after Johnathan had announced his retirement at the end of Season 13, which meant that the boat also sat out Season 14. However, his retirement was short-lived, and the boat was soon repaired and headed back to Homer, Alaska.

Despite the boat's return to action, it was noticeably absent from Season 15 of "Deadliest Catch". This was due to the explosion, which had taken place the previous year, necessitating repairs that forced the Time Bandit to sit out the season.

With the boat's engine issues and the high costs of maintenance, Captain Johnathan ultimately decided to part ways with the vessel. It was put up for sale for nearly $3 million and listed on Dock Street Brokers. As of December 2020, it was still listed, but it likely sold afterward.

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