Wooden Ships Comments on this 50′ Admiralty MFV
Built for the admiralty although not much is known of her military career after her history files were lost in a fire during a refit. She potentially worked out of Malta for a time, probably as a harbour supply vessel or local patrols.
Bought by the present owners in 2003 and almost totally rebuilt in the years since. All new topside planking, lots of new frames, rebuilt deck, new bulwarks and stanchions completed in 2016. Engine refitted and engine room totally rebuilt including all new systems. The most recent work was completed in 2022 and involved a new stern post, some planking on the aft starboard quarter and new planks half the length of the hull on the port quarter.
An excellent boat for live aboard cruising with a spacious deck saloon/wheelhouse that offers a living space with panoramic views. Below decks she has 4 sleeping cabins, 2 doubles, a single and a large twin plus a heads compartment with a shower.
He length at 50’ is not excessive which will keep berthing costs to a minimum, but due to her design and the deckhouse she still has ample space aboard.
A smart, clean and dry vessel in seemingly good order with a well documented refit history in recent years.
Length on Deck 49’10”
Length Waterline 45’
Beam 15’4”
Draft 6’6”
Construction
Planked in larch on sawn oak frames fastened with galvanised boat nails.
The frames are set in pairs and made up of futtocks, through bolted with galvanised bolts.
Grown oak floors across the centreline. No external ballast keel but a new steel full length shoe has been fitted, weighing over 1 ton.
Keel bolts checked or replaced as necessary in 2012.
Internal ballast made of iron and concrete in the bilges as is common with this type of boats.
The deck is made up of the original straight laid pine deck which was overlaid with 2 layers of plywood and sheathed with glass fibre. It is finished with non-slip rubber mat for a low maintenance and practical finish.
High bulwark all round on all new stanchions mounted through the cover board and side bolted to the frames.
New bulwark planking and heavy capping rail.
Wheelhouse fitted in previous ownership by Tuffs boatyard o the Thames. Made of a teak frame and 2 layers of plywood, sheathed externally in glass fibre.
Wheelhouse roof extends over the side decks to give shelter. Wheelhouse roof is very solid and would be capable of taking storage racks for canoes etc.
Rig
Small rig mainly as steadying sail but capable of giving a small amount of propulsion with the right wind.
Gaff ketch rig on deck stepped masts in tabernacles.
Mizzen mast new and stepped in 2018. Varnished wooden booms and gaffs.
Stainless steel standing rigging to external chain plates. Rigging all new in the last 3 years.
Jib and mizzen in terylene. Mainsail in canvas.
Machinery
Foden FD6 Mk1 105hp 6 cyl supercharged diesel. Supercharged 2 stroke design and very common in boats of this age and type.
Below is a link to the history of the Foden FD6 engine with lots of detail:
Stainless steel shaft to centreline fixed 3 blade bronze propeller. Cruising speed of 7 knots, max speed 10 knots.
New stainless fuel tanks, one each side in the engine room and total of 300 litres capacity. Both tanks have individual water separator fuel filters and can be isolated from each other so as not to contaminate the other tank.
Northern Lights 6Kva diesel generator installed in the engine room. Refurbished and professionally installed in 2016.
4 x domestic batteries, total of 420ah supplying the 24 volt system.
2 x engine start batteries giving 24 volts.
Dedicated generator start battery.
Charged from engine alternator or through the 240 volt 40 amp battery charger powered by generator or shore power. All batteries new in 2016.
240 volt plugs throughout the ship. Domestic systems on 24 volt.
3 x electric bilge pumps and one engine driven bilge pump. Whale Gusher manual bilge pump.
Wheel steering with manual hydraulics. Steering ram rebuilt in 2023.
Accommodation
Total of 7 berths in 4 cabins including 2 double cabins, a single cabin and a twin cabin.
Headroom in the deckhouse of 6’2”. Below decks headroom between 5’11” and 6’2”.
Entry to the wheelhouse with 3 side doors.
Galley at the aft end with a 4 burner Spinflo gas stove with oven and grill. Stainless sink with pressurised cold water. Lots of storage cupboards, shelves and work top space.
Saloon set to port with U-shaped seating around a table and a side board on the starboard side.
The bridge is raised slightly compared to the rest of the deck saloon to give better visibility. Centreline wheel steering, doors either side by the helm. Large chart desk just aft of the wheel.
Companion steps into the aft cabin in aft starboard corner of deck house. Aft cabin has good headroom with a futon type berth fitted that folds up to be a settee and drops down into a double berth. Access into lazarette to view steering system.
Companion steps going below to the main accommodation are on the centreline.
Below decks there is a double cabin to port with a 4’ double berth. Single cabin to starboard and a large twin cabin right forward. Berths are all full length with comfortable custom made mattresses.
Each cabin has ample storage space with lockers and drawer units.
Heads compartment to port with a Jabsco sea toilet that discharges into a black water holding tank. Shower with pressurised hot and cold water. Hot water from a 240v on demand heater unit.
