Classic Liverpool Class RNLB for sale in Scotland United Kingdom

Wooden Ships Comments on this Liverpool Class RNLB

Liverpool Class RNLB built by Groves & Guttridge Ltd, Cowes, in 1939.

She served as the lifeboat for Cloughey, Co. Down with a well documented service record.

After being sold out of the RNLI in 1966, she was used as a private motor launch.

Between 2010 and 2012 she underwent a major restoration in the hands of Nelsons Boats, a yard specialising in lifeboats. She was put back as close as possible to her original service condition by sourcing as many original parts, features and fittings as possible. She was re-engined with an almost new Ford 4D. The hull was found to be in excellent condition with no structural repairs required during the refit period.

This vessel is a living and working piece of maritime history in excellent condition, very capable and tough with legendary sea keeping qualities. She is not equipped with the luxuries of a modern yacht and as such offers a different type of boating but she does it with style. Complete with forward tent offering a dry cabin with 2 berths when required.

This is not a project boat, she will be launched fully serviced and ready to go. The owner can deliver her to anywhere on the Clyde as part of the sale.

The boat is on the National Register of Historic Ships and is eligible to fly their dedicated ensign.

This is a remarkable boat with many original features and fittings. Clean survey from 2021 available.

Length on Deck 35’6”

Beam 10’2”

Draft 3’3”

Construction

• Double diagonal Honduras mahogany hull. 2 layers of diagonal planking with Kalico and white lead in between, fastened through with copper rivets.
• Canadian rock elm frames.
• Bronze strap floors across the centreline.
• External iron ballast keel with a steel plate centreboard.
• Heavy rubbing strake all round with traditional ropes to assist with man overboard situations.
• Fore and aft decks made from 2 layers of double diagonal Honduras mahogany. Substantial oak mooring posts fore and aft.
• Main weather deck with numerous water tight hatches. Full length seating either side in varnished mahogany slats. Bronze scuppers to drain thew weather deck.
• Varnished double diagonal mahogany dog house shelter is an original feature. Aluminium bulkhead with a watertight bronze door leads into the engine space. Original bronze port lights in the dog house.
• Door to access space under foredeck which is a useful large storage space.
• Original steering system with a wheel mounted on a bronze frame. Long shaft goes under the aft deck with gear linkage to the rudder. Hardwood rudder hung on the stern post, this can be lifted in the usual RNLI style using a block and tackle on the aft deck.
• Steering system stripped and refurbished, now in perfect working order.
• Many original bronze features and fittings have been retained.

Rig

• 2 mast rig on varnished spruce spars. Main mast stepped in a galvanised tabernacle.
• Mizzen is a small Bermudan sail, mainsail is lug and she carries a jib.
• Sails by Ratsey and Lapthorn in as new condition.
• Galvanised wire standing rigging with bronze rigging screws to external galvanised chain plates. New rigging in the refit.

Machinery

• Ford 4D 56hp 4cyl diesel engine. Installed as a reconditioned engine in 2012.
• PRM gearbox with a 2” bronze shaft to a centreline fixed 3 blade bronze propeller in a tunnel. Original oil bath stern gland.
• Propeller is in a protected tunnel as with most life boats to avoid entanglement.
• Gives 7 knots cruising speed at 3 litres/hour. Max speed of 8 knots. Approx. 500Nm range.
• 2 x copper fuel tank of 200 litres total capacity. Recent fuel lines and fuel filters.
• 2 x 12 volt batteries in the engine room charged from the engine alternator.
• 1 x Whale Gusher manual bilge pump and 3 x auto electric bilge pumps.
• All new wiring in 2022.

Equipment

• Bronze steering compass
• Standard Horizon Explorer DSC VHF + RAM 4 cockpit repeater
• Garmin GPS Map 276Cx chart plotter

• Lifebuoy
• Auto fire extinguisher in engine space
• Large manual bilge pump
• Auto electric bilge pump
• Life ring
• Twin jackstays
• 12 volt fog horn

• Bruce 15kg anchor
• 100’ of chain and 150’ of warp
• 2 x original RNLI Fishermans anchors for show
• Fenders
• Warps
• Boat hook

• Tent for the forward cockpit
• Custom made cover for varnished engine hood
• Full winter cover

• Mizzen
• Mainsail
• Jib
• Mizzen sail cover
• Associated spars and rigging