Boat Project Traditional 30ft Wooden Live Aboard Houseboat

Dorabella was designed by Eric French of Poole and built by E.F. Elkins Ltd of Christchurch, Hampshire in the 1930's. She is possibly a little ship of Dunkirk (a large number of boats from Elkins yard were commandeered for the mission including what is believed to be her sister ship now called 'Mada') but I haven't had the time to complete the research. Lack of time is also why I am selling her with much regret. She needs a lot of TLC but her hull appears sound on initial internal and external inspection.

She doesn't take on a drop of salt water at all and has happily taken to a mud berth for the last year. Currently I pump her out only if it rains heavily (the seals under the doors have perished) and she has a very shallow bilge. Because of this some of the sole boards have gone soft and could do with replacement but most are fine and all are present. Internal cabins would come up with a (very) deep clean and she has been basically stripped out ready to do so. All drawers, stepladders, etc have been left on board plus some additional wood pieces.

She is being sold as a decent start to a project boat so please don't expect her to be ready to go! Elbow grease required! Some things will need replacing (the aft outside seating area needs new ply base as it had no drain and rain water was pooling on it), windows are all intact, steering gear (chain/wheel) is all intact. The wheelhouse floor has temporarily been replaced with ply (not shown in pictures). Please note fwd hatch is missing in pictures as it is being repaired.

Will be fitted for sale. Heads sole board are present but not seen in pictures. She has a big old central Ford main engine (looks seized but all appears to be there) put in 1959 to which I have the manual and she also has a small wing engine on the port side. (ballast to stbd to accommodate). The shaft is still in place but the stern gland and surrounding deadwood is softish and needs to be repaired/replaced if keeping the shaft/engine usable or simply cut out and repaired if closing it up and removing the shaft.

The skin fittings appear stable (very minimal under water through hull penetrations - I think engine raw water only) but should be checked/replaced when out of water. I planned to remove the shaft (leaving the engine as ballast) and fit provision to use an outboard if she ever required moving (plan was to be stationary). We can offer a tow to the nearest lift/marina if buyer provides insurance (or local marina can possibly provide this service). She is approx 30ft with an approx 3ft draft. She consists of an aft galley that opens to outside seating area, saloon with twin berth (convertible settees), upper wheelhouse with day seating area (fold down seats all intact), fwd master cabin with heads.

Gas hob/oven and copper gas pipes all intact but not tested with exterior gas locker, gas/mains fridge in alright condition (all probably used by previous owner but not for some time), hot water heater has corroded and needs removing but pipes are all there (plastic - relatively new). Water tank and diesel tank on board but not seen. Toilet and plumbing is all on board but not fitted. No shower in heads but plenty of room to fit in future. Lots of drawers and storage space.

Foredeck and aft coachroof have been epoxy coated and have last seasons grey low slip paint, topsides of Hull had a quick refresh white, wheelhouse roof has started being stripped back and most of the exterior has been coated in wood preserver to help her through the winter after she was (see pictures for before and after) her port side hasn't had as many coats as we lost the weather but luckily it is the stbd side that gets most of the wind and rain. I will provide plenty of tins of various coatings that were to be used. She would make a great live aboard for someone looking for a cheap starter with tons of potential and even a little history to be discovered! Please feel free to contact me with any questions. She is being sold as seen.

Cash on collection. Please no time wasters. She must be moved upon sale. She is NOT ACCESSIBLE for viewing without previous arrangements. She is stored on private property in Plymouth.

Trespassers will be prosecuted. Thank you!