Classic Converted Admiralty Motor Yacht for sale in W. Sussex United Kingdom

Wooden Ships Comments on this Converted Admiralty Motor Yacht

Built for the Ministry of Defence in 1943 by the British Power Boat Company as an RAF Rescue Boat. She was delivered in 1945 but never entered active service.

Sold by the MOD in 1946 into private ownership and converted to private yacht at the Hampton Launch Works. After many years on the Thames, she made her way to the Mediterranean where some reports suggest she spent time running cigarettes between north Africa and Europe.

After being laid up and neglected in Bristol docks, she was rebuilt by David Cockwell of the Underfall Yard, being re-launched in 2005. The refit included much work to the hull, a new interior and refitted engines. After being bought by the current owner in 2007, further work was done including al new wiring and many new systems in 2008.

More recently some soft wood was found in the hull on the port side, work was started in 2022 and much of the port quarter of the hull was re-planked with many new frames. Some repairs were also needed on the starboard side, the copper sheathing underwater was replaced entirely and the interior received further improvements.

The boat is now in very smart condition and given all the recent work done, should be totally sound. Unfortunately one of the gearboxes has developed a problem and needs to be replaced, the vessel is being sold with this known issue to be resolved by a buyer.

Length on Deck 43’8”

Beam 10’8”

Draft 3’5”

Construction

• Planked in 2 layers of mahogany, the first is laid diagonally with fore and aft planking over the top. White lead and calico between the layers of planking.
• All copper rivet fastened to steam bent oak frames with ash stringers.
• Hull is sheathed in copper plates below the waterline.
• Laminated mahogany beam shelf and deck beams.
• Composite deck structure of marine plywood sheathed in epoxy glass cloth then overlaid with teak. The teak is glued to the subdeck so there are no fastenings through deck that could lead to rot.
• Stainless steel stanchions with a varnished mahogany capping rail.
• Marine plywood superstructure sheathed in epoxy glass cloth with aluminium framed windows.

Machinery

• 2 x Perkins 6354 6cyl 145hp turbo charged diesel engines.
• Borg Warner Velvet Drive gearboxes to stainless shafts with fixed 4 blade counter rotating bronze propellers. One gearbox has failed and needs replacing.
• Engines have had a full professional service in 2023, full invoices to show this work are available.
• 4 x steel fuel tanks in the engine bay with a total capacity of 250 gallons (1125 litres).
• 6 x 6 volt 100ah batteries giving 12 volt to the ships systems.
• 4 x 6 volt 100ah batteries to power the anchor windlass.
• Charging from 2 x 70 amp engine alternators and through the installed shore power system.
• 2 x water tanks with total capacity of 100 gallons (450 litres)
• Calorifier for domestic hot water connected to one main engine. Also has a 240 volt immersion coil.

Accommodation

• 6 berths in 2 separate sleeping cabins.

Headroom:

• Saloon: 1.85m
• Aft cabin: 1.74cm
• Galley: 1.78cm
• Fore cabin: 1.85cm

• Very smart and comfortable interior with recent upholstery in a rich burgundy.
• Eberspacher Hydronic diesel fired cabin heating system throughout the interior.
• Sliding door either side into the wheelhouse with the helm position to port and chart desk to starboard.
• The deck saloon is at the aft of the wheelhouse with an L-sha[ped settee to p[ort around a varnished mahogany saloon table. Settee to starboard that could be used as an occasional berth if needed.
• Central companionway going aft into the aft cabin. Seating and a desk to starboard at the base of the companionway.
• Heads compartment to port with a Jabsco manual sea toilet which discharges into a waste tank. Hand basin and full height shower with hot and cold pressurised water.
• The cabin has 2 single berths with varnished teak joinery. Fitted chest of drawers against the aft bulkhead. Varnished cabin sole made from sweet chestnut.
• Going forward from the wheelhouse down a centreline companionway into the port side galley.
• Techimpex 2 gas stove with oven and grill. Single stainless steel sink with hot and cold pressurised water. Top loading 12 volt fridge compartment. Good amount of work surface space and storage lockers.
• Opposite the galley is a heads compartment with a Jabsco manual sea toilet which discharges into a waste tank, hand basin and shower.
• The forecabin has 2 single berths plus 2 pipe cot berths above that can be pulled out. Storage space below the berths. Smart joinery in varnished hard wood with varnished sweet chestnut sole boards.
• Access to the chain locker in the bows.

Equipment

• Sestral steering compass
• Simrad CR40/50 chart plotter/radar
• Simrad AP21-22 autopilot
• Simrad RD68 DSC VHF
• Hummingbird depth sounder
• Clock and barometer

• Lofrans Cayman 88 electric anchor windlass
• CQR anchor plus chain
• Mooring warps
• Fenders

• Installed search light, chromed
• 8 x auto electric bilge pumps
• 2 x Kent clear screens

• Bunk and berth cushions
• Eberspacher Hydronic cabin heating system
• 2 x Jabsco manual sea toilets with waste tanks
• Techimpex 2 burner gas stove with oven and grill
• Top loading 12 volt fridge
• Calorifier tank for domestic hot water