Toured and Amazing and Unique Boat For Sale

[VirtualHuck]

Summary: Built-like a tank, self righting, aluminum hull shallow draft, semi-displacement, beachable, low air-draft boat, with reasonably fuel consumption, bulletproof engines,  a few davit/winch setups, that is on Lake Eerie (on the Great Loop path, so can get anywhere in the Eastern US/Canada), and possible to be trailered (probably a 1x event, the boat was actually trailered from Baltimore to the Great Lakes when the owner had it imported).  Approximately 38' LOA, 12'6" beam, 3' draft, 12' air draft (things folded down). ~17 knot  top speed, 15 knot cruise (1.5 mpg at 9mph, .8 mpg @ 17 mph, .5 mpg @ 20 mph (91.5 liters per hour at 15.28 knots at approx. 2,600 rpm which is about .18 nautical miles per liter).  Listing:  https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/1988-f ... s-8671328/.

Here is a link to pictures/video from my tour of the boat (I'm not a good photographer and was more interested in talking with the owner/broker and inspecting the boat...): https://photos.app.goo.gl/ajzkQVa6nTQEcM487

More details...
 
I've been searching for a long range displacement (or semi-displacement) shallow draft aluminum boat with reasonable (to me) dimensions of a 36' - 42' LOA, 12' -16' Beam, <12' air draft, that is overbuilt and more utilitarian than fancy...  My interest lies primarily with the Down East Loop and surrounding areas (NY Canals, Great Lakes, Champlain, St. Lawrence river, Nova Scotia, Maine Coast around to NY/Hudson).

I was surprised to find a very good candidate on Lake Erie, and it is a boat that can do a lot more than my list above.  

In short, it is a retired RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) Mersey Class Rescue Boat. Here is a video from RNLI that gives a pretty good overview of the boat and how it is used/maintained: https://youtu.be/ce0MvB770tU)   It is self-righting, heavy weather capable boat that is built like a tank.  It is shallow draft (approx. 3'), low air-draft (it was trailered from Baltimore to the great lakes), and can be beached (tunnel hull).  There is a lot of information available about this class of boat online (some good heavy-weather footage: https://youtu.be/jOnLaIwbBg8).  These boats are built to government spec and are in the millions to build new.  They are maintained to perfection at the RNLI.  The boat is listed at a little over $200K USD ($275K, CAD).

After researching the boat in detail, I was sure this was the boat for me with one exception...  The dual motors are in the center section of the boat (further forward than typical) and I needed some of that space to be available in my conversion to a live-aboard cruiser.  I received drawings of the boat and photos, but it wasn't possible to tell for sure and I needed to see it in person...

I went to tour the boat this weekend and was prepared to make an offer.  The owner is extremely experienced and has continued to maintain the boat perfectly.  The broker was very helpful and accommodating as well. EVERYTHING about the boat was the same or better than expected, BUT the mid-ship space with the Diesels is not able to be converted to any finished space (there is decent cabin space at the bow, but you walk through the "engine room" to get there.

I'm posting this because it is an amazing boat and a rare one to find at a reasonable price. If it fit my use, I would have made an offer this weekend. Unfortunately, it doesn't but I hope it finds a good home.  I have no connection with the boat, seller, broker, I just love the boat.
 
 
 
 
 

[kmorin]

V'Huck,
Buy her right (for a song?) gut her and sell the Cat's to finance a pair of decent sized O/B's and put a bracket w electric/hyd. engine jacks on her stern. Use the old engine room as great cabin and cruise into the sunset? Hull must plane or they'd have no use of trim tabs? Still w those huge prop pockets a pair of 100-200 hp engines could be raised so high that you could run in 2' of water?

Cheers
Kevin Morin
Kenai, AK

[VirtualHuck]

That was/is definitely a consideration. I had focused on changing to pod drives (there are already access ports above the props at the top of the tunnels above the waterline) inside a low clearance area below the rear sole. I had also thought about changing to electric motors and running them with a generator in that rear space as planing speeds aren't important to me (had been looking for a full displacement anyway). I worry that my lack of boat building experience will get me in over my head... I'm very comfortable with fitting out a new interior, but changing the propulsion system, weight distribution, and other things that should probably be designed by a naval architect or engineer makes me nervous.... But you gave me thinking again, maybe that is the route to go....