112ft Part-Converted WW2 Fairmile B Houseboat Permanent Mooring St Osyth Essex

112ft Part-Converted WW2 Fairmile "B" Houseboat On Permanent Serviced Mooring St Osyth, Essex Opportunity to purchase a unique & historic 112ft (33m) WW2 Fairmile "B" large part-converted houseboat in attractive estuary/boatyard location. Known locally as "Jamaica Moon" but we prefer using it's correct wartime prefix of ML357 **IMPORTANT** due to impending work abroad, we cannot now complete the project - boat is booked in for urgent dry-dock repairs to hull in Spring 2023 in St.Osyth boatyard. Estimated repairs £10-15K. Those who cannot commit to repair and lots of on-going work please do not contact or arrange viewing!! Too much to list here - please visit the boat website for full wartime history, crew images and restoration archive: www.ml357.com ML357 was constructed in Egypt in 1942 for active wartime duties in the Mediterranean and was one of the first ships to liberate the Greek port of Athens, along with many clandestine missions with the LRDG (Long Range Desert Group) and SBS (Special Boat Service) around the Agean Islands and North Africa Coast.
After the war, the boat was decommissioned (with engine & steering gear removed) and was sold to Bermondsey Sea Cadets. From the early 1960's, the ML357 has been used as a houseboat. ML357 is a unique survivor and now one of only 3 Fairmile "B" left. She is timber built; the hull is skinned with “double-diagonally” planked Mahogany (inc. Bulkheads) over a restored plywood frame.
The boat is listed with The Historic Ships Register (Certificate number: 2699) and is eligible for various grant applications and financial assistance. Purchased in 2017 with a huge amount of work already done, including internal frame repairs throughout boat and part-installation of a suspended timber panel floor. New portholes throughout with additional deck-lights. Decking partially restored to rear ("warm deck" method with insulation and hard-durable fibreglass over). This is a totally unique project and will eventually make a stunning 4-5 bedroom/cabin home with a large lounge with high-ceiling (the old engine-room), double-height kitchen, studio, bathrooms, etc, in a sought-after location.
Very spacious and light below-decks - and could be made even more so with additional roof lights, etc. Various fittings and appliances already in the boat are inclusive in the sale, including large wood burning stove, freestanding bath (not connected) and various funnels/vents that await fitting onto the deck. Mooring/jetty and hinged bridge was purpose-made for the boat in 2020 to create improved access to the boat. The mooring is in a friendly boatyard/houseboat community with mooring fees a very reasonable (for such a large boat) £300 p/m inclusive of water. Electricity is via a dedicated meter and charge-card that can be topped-up at the boatyard office.
Mooring can be formally transferred to new owner with St. Osyth Boatyard. This is really a project for a group of willing and practical enthusiasts, historical trust, or someone who is VERY practically competent. Boat could easily be worth £250K + if completed in current location! No swaps, no part-payments, no held deposits, etc - we are moving abroad so we just want a straight cash deal please.
But happy to help new owner with working methods, etc. Offers considered.. Weekend viewings** now being arranged from Saturday 15th October onwards.To arrange, call Mark or Jacqueline on 0phoneor classifieds board message/or send a message via the boat website. **please note, due the hinged bridge being currently disconnected, access is possible but tricky so only suitable for the able bodied. Thank you.