Along the West Coast waterfront and in ship-handling circles around the world, few names are more respected than that of Robert Allan Ltd., the marine architecture firm that has been based in Vancouver for nearly a century. Founded in 1928 by the original Robert Allan, the firm got its start designing stealth speed boats used in rum running, classic fishing boats, small ferries and sumptuous yachts. Under Robert F. (Bob) Allan, the firm began transforming...