Classic Motor Boat, Houseboat, 55ft, Liveaboard Project Restoration Historic

SOLD AS SEEN. A HOUSEBOAT PROJECT. NO RESERVE PRICE. Storage Paid until 31st MARCH. Can Remain at Hayling Yacht Company.

Current storage fees are 1200pounds / Quarter. Yard can arrange Lifting onto Transporter at Cost. HERAON 302510 National Historic Ships Register # 291655ft LOA 12ft Beam 7ft Draught 15ft Air Draught 18 Tons 1 inch Double Diagonal Mahogany on Mahogany and Teak frames with copper fastenings. Teak Deck and Mahogany Super structure. Oak Long Keel.

Engines were removed at somepoint on the Thames. Shafts and steering gear (Rudders and hydraulics) are still in place. She was converted/fitted out as a gentlemans cruiser in 1961 by Groves & Gutteridge from an unkown wartime fast vessel hull for Sir Clifford Gravell OBE and was one of three sister ships (the only pleasure/luxury cruisers) produced by Groves & Gutteridge. Originally named M.Y Judie. She was sold in the late 1960s for 18,500 to a Dr Fray and his family on the southcoast who used her in the UK and then took her to the Med, around the Bay of Biscay, to Monaco, Venice and Istanbul in 1983.

The following years are unknown but was at Twickenham on the River Thames in 2004. HERA was salvaged from the Thames in 2016. After 10 years of neglect (she had been stripped out and exposed to the elements.) She was moved to Hayling Island.The decision was made to convert her to a houseboat. Internally... All rot and damaged wood was removed. All Pipework, tanks and cables were removed and engine room cleared.

Internal Structural work replacing beams, floorbeams and bulkheads where they had been previously removed or rotten allowing layout of rooms to be altered. From Aft to Forward. Aft entrance at waterline into Utility Room/workshop. Master Bedroom with Ensuite. Second Bathroom to St.

Second bedroom to Pt. Steps up to Pilothouse, Steps Aft to Deck level. Steps forward to Living area. Entrance behind lifting stairs to Engine room/systems room. At the same time as the layout changes the super structure and deck levels were raised by 1foot to give a comfortable 7foot headheight throughout.

Temporary floors were laid to allow working. Huge areas of under soles (floor) for water tanks etc... Externally... Many years worth of paint was ground back along with all rot from the hull. I couldn't justify replanking traditionally with hardwoods. So. 95% of the sections of rot have been replaced with 12mm marineply patches, glued and sealed with epoxy resin and stainless fastenings... There is approx 5 % still to complete. Along with some sections of deck beam that needs repair.

The intention was to then fibreglass / epoxy sheath the hull. The deck is in good condition and 95 % watertight (only the outer plank and caulking need refixing and re caulking). Stainless steel handrails all around and various stainless steel deck vents. Teak swim platform. There is alot of open deck space that can be used to create an outdoor seating area and helm if you were to re-engine her with electric motors.

With a huge area of roof space for solar panels... I have researched and had calculations done that with her hull speed and weight dependant, 2 x 20kw motors would make her cruise comfortably at 6knots. HERA has fantastic internal space and lines and the potential to become a very high quality restored classic eco houseboat worth 100-200 k. But requires both financial investment and time & love. Selling with alot of regret but due to a change in personal circumstances I can no longer justify the time and effort to restore/convert her despite emotional attachment to her and her fantastic potential as an Electric ECO Houseboat... I have invested thousands of hours and thousands of pounds into HERA in the last 2years. I will not be making a profit here and I am ok about taking a loss on her as long as she goes to a good home with someone willing to devote the time to save her...... I can be available anyday and anytime for viewing of the boat.

And will answer any questions as best as I can by message on classifieds board or on phone...Winning Bidder must meet with the boatyard on completion of the sale to sign bill of sale/transfer of ownership papers and is responsible for removal of HERA or responisble for contiuning the storage fees to the yard from 31st March.