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Houseboat Liveaboard project - 30', widebeam, steel hull, guaranteed mooring
Estimated price for orientation: 5 000 $
Category: Other Watercraft
Class:
Description
Steel-hulled lifeboat converted to liveaboard.30' x 10' approxGuaranteed mooring River Thames, Egham, Surrey, very close to M25, handy for Heathrow, M3 and M4. On hardstanding.Hull is galvanised steel of unknown age - part riveted and part welded construction, classic ship's lifeboat shape. Extensive work done a few years ago by Alchemy boats of Oxford - hasn't been in water since except during monstrous floods two years ago - all the new plates were completely underwater and nothing came in.Conversion first done in 1950's (some bits of timber had dates on them) with a timber and ply superstructure, overall a really pretty shape. Interior has lots of varnished wood, brass and bronze and has some very nice stuff in it, some of it original, some period stuff that I've found, some modern but appropriate.Large deck, railing appears to have been custom made.8 solid bronze portholes, large skylight, wheel house with lots of windows.Clever accommodation and storage throughout.Currently laid out as 3.5 berths but there is scope to change this easily.Forward cabin4 portholes, 2 decklights, forward hatch.Berth to port, cupboards and drawers below. Galley to starboard, Wallas diesel hob, Waeco 12v fridge, ceramic work surface, steel sink, storage under counter and in bow.Main cabin3 portholes, large skylightSettee/pull out small double to starboard, water tank and stainless steel hot water tank with immersion under.Settee/single berth with drawers beneath to port.Lovely wood-burnerDesk with bookshelvesTwo cupboards with both with hanging spaceBose marine speakers run from Sony car stereoInsulated as well it can be without changing the character of the boatWood burner is pretty special - it's a Navigator Stove Works Sardine - see www.marinestove.com for full details. Cast iron to traditional design and so tiny yet more than hot enough for the cabin and big enough to cook on. Buying new would cost $1200 + accessories + shipping from the pacific coast + import duties + a 6 - 9 month waiting list.HeadSet out as wet room with wooden grating and sump under shower.Vintage stainless steel folding sinkMixer showerPlenty of built in storageWheelhouseOriginal controls with traditional ships wheelDecent size, lots of light.Space for storage under side and aft decksThe bit of the boat which needs most attentionEngineBeneath wheelhouseI'm told it's a FordIt's certainly very big and four cylinders.I have run it once - it started first time, went up to the red line, down to canal boat speeds and back up again and sounded sweet all the way.Only ran it for less than a minute as I don't know the condition of oil, belts, fuel etc and assume it needs full service.Paragon gearboxBronze propellor.ElectricsBasic but modernMost components are either Blue Sea or BEPDolphin "smart" battery chargerMains cable is arctic, 12v is marine grade.Cables run in conduitGalvanic isolater, mains source selector, consumer unit and main 12v distribution board built into cupoardSecondary 12v distribution board in galley.PlumbingAll push fit plastic so should be maintenance free and easy to alter.Pressure sensitive pumpWater tank and stainless hot water tank under bed.Shower and sink in head with sump emptied by Whale gulper - only needed unblocking 3 times in all the years I lived on the boat!Sink in galleyConditionIt's a project so if in doubt either ask or assume it needs doing but it has been comfortably lived in for years and more recently used as a workshop.The deck was extensively repaired and many boards replaced a few years ago. It was then insulated and sheathed in thin marine ply and epoxy.Two bits of plywood at the rear need obvious attention. Maintenance needs catching up on.If it's to be used as a flat and left on concrete then there are manageable finishing off jobs - a trim here, a board there, hob needs re-connecting (I started taking it out to sell) etc. The wheelhouse has had little done inside other than the roof. Fundamentally though if you don't mind roughing it a little then do a bit of cleaning, replace the mattress, hang up a new shower curtain and move in while you do the finishing off.If it's to go back into service in the river, then there's a lot of work. The welding on the hull repairs still needs grinding smooth. Parts of the hull have been re-galvanised but this is unfinished - materials for this included (google Zinga for more info on this). Rudder needs replacing but the old one the is present and can be used as a template. Engine needs servicing, boat safety needed etc etcOther stuffBoat will come with a ryobi table saw, aluminium ladder, part used cans of Jotun paint, cans of cold-galvanising paint, mahogany bathing ladder, some pretty oil lamps, a big pile of trims, wood, components, cables, spares, instructions for things etc - basically a berth and a drawer or two full of stuff that will help with the work.
Description
Steel-hulled lifeboat converted to liveaboard.30' x 10' approxGuaranteed mooring River Thames, Egham, Surrey, very close to M25, handy for Heathrow, M3 and M4. On hardstanding.Hull is galvanised steel of unknown age - part riveted and part welded construction, classic ship's lifeboat shape. Extensive work done a few years ago by Alchemy boats of Oxford - hasn't been in water since except during monstrous floods two years ago - all the new plates were completely underwater and nothing came in.Conversion first done in 1950's (some bits of timber had dates on them) with a timber and ply superstructure, overall a really pretty shape. Interior has lots of varnished wood, brass and bronze and has some very nice stuff in it, some of it original, some period stuff that I've found, some modern but appropriate.Large deck, railing appears to have been custom made.
8 solid bronze portholes, large skylight, wheel house with lots of windows.Clever accommodation and storage throughout.Currently laid out as 3.5 berths but there is scope to change this easily.
Forward cabin4 portholes, 2 decklights, forward hatch.Berth to port, cupboards and drawers below. Galley to starboard, Wallas diesel hob, Waeco 12v fridge, ceramic work surface, steel sink, storage under counter and in bow.Main cabin3 portholes, large skylightSettee/pull out small double to starboard, water tank and stainless steel hot water tank with immersion under.Settee/single berth with drawers beneath to port.Lovely wood-burnerDesk with bookshelvesTwo cupboards with both with hanging spaceBose marine speakers run from Sony car stereoInsulated as well it can be without changing the character of the boatWood burner is pretty special - it's a Navigator Stove Works Sardine - see www.marinestove.com for full details. Cast iron to traditional design and so tiny yet more than hot enough for the cabin and big enough to cook on. Buying new would cost $1200 + accessories + shipping from the pacific coast + import duties + a 6 - 9 month waiting list.HeadSet out as wet room with wooden grating and sump under shower.Vintage stainless steel folding sinkMixer showerPlenty of built in storageWheelhouseOriginal controls with traditional ships wheelDecent size, lots of light.Space for storage under side and aft decksThe bit of the boat which needs most attentionEngineBeneath wheelhouseI'm told it's a FordIt's certainly very big and four cylinders.I have run it once - it started first time, went up to the red line, down to canal boat speeds and back up again and sounded sweet all the way.Only ran it for less than a minute as I don't know the condition of oil, belts, fuel etc and assume it needs full service.Paragon gearboxBronze propellor.ElectricsBasic but modernMost components are either Blue Sea or BEPDolphin "smart" battery chargerMains cable is arctic, 12v is marine grade.Cables run in conduitGalvanic isolater, mains source selector, consumer unit and main 12v distribution board built into cupoardSecondary 12v distribution board in galley.PlumbingAll push fit plastic so should be maintenance free and easy to alter.Pressure sensitive pumpWater tank and stainless hot water tank under bed.Shower and sink in head with sump emptied by Whale gulper - only needed unblocking 3 times in all the years I lived on the boat!Sink in galleyConditionIt's a project so if in doubt either ask or assume it needs doing but it has been comfortably lived in for years and more recently used as a workshop.The deck was extensively repaired and many boards replaced a few years ago. It was then insulated and sheathed in thin marine ply and epoxy.Two bits of plywood at the rear need obvious attention. Maintenance needs catching up on.If it's to be used as a flat and left on concrete then there are manageable finishing off jobs - a trim here, a board there, hob needs re-connecting (I started taking it out to sell) etc. The wheelhouse has had little done inside other than the roof. Fundamentally though if you don't mind roughing it a little then do a bit of cleaning, replace the mattress, hang up a new shower curtain and move in while you do the finishing off.If it's to go back into service in the river, then there's a lot of work. The welding on the hull repairs still needs grinding smooth. Parts of the hull have been re-galvanised but this is unfinished - materials for this included (google Zinga for more info on this). Rudder needs replacing but the old one the is present and can be used as a template. Engine needs servicing, boat safety needed etc etcOther stuffBoat will come with a ryobi table saw, aluminium ladder, part used cans of Jotun paint, cans of cold-galvanising paint, mahogany bathing ladder, some pretty oil lamps, a big pile of trims, wood, components, cables, spares, instructions for things etc - basically a berth and a drawer or two full of stuff that will help with the work.