Ex-Navy Pinnace House Boat Project We have for sale a ex-Navy Pinnace project boat known as Lucky Lady, it was built in 1943 and is believed to have been used during WWII (no identification plate has been found as yet to verify this with military records), however it has been put to many other uses since then including as a fishing vessel and as a house boat. When purchased in 2013, Lucky Lady was still on the water being used as a house boat in need of modernisation At present, it is dry docked on a flat bed trailer awaiting repairs and refitting, which unfortunately have been on hold for the last few years due to changes in personal circumstances that have meant insufficient time has been available to complete the project. Lucky Lady has a hull design referred to as a Royal Navy Pinnace which has been significantly altered over the years to convert the vessel into it's most recent incarnation, a house boat. The boat has a traditional frame assembly with double diagonal planking attached to the frames in the carvel manor, this means the planks are butted up to each other and have had the gaps between them sealed with a caulking material. More recently, the entire superstructure has been covered in glass reinforced plastic (GRP) to add a further layer of water resistance.
In a survey that was carried out after the boat was purchased, it was found that some of the GRP is no longer bonded to the wooden hull beneath it. Further investigation through cuts into the GRP, suggested that it was still adequate and could simply be bonded again with appropriate agents. Any cuts in the GRP required for the bonding process would then just require patching over to reinstate the hull's water resistant shell. The deck around the wheelhouse and living area has signs of water ingress and rot in the plywood under the GRP which will require full replacement of both materials. While the safety rails around all sides of the vessel is painted steel and mostly serviceable, just one section along the port side of the wheelhouse is badly damaged and corroded requiring replacement.
The engine is a 6 cyclinder marinised commerical diesel engine which is controlled from the wheelhouse with a Morse type unit and is correctly aligned with the stern gear. It is currently a non-runner as it requires a new starter motor and would benefit from a complete overhaul as routine maintenance was not carried out on the engine by the previous owner. The electrical wires in the engine bay are hanging in a few places and will require clipping up. Also the engine cooling seacock is seized in the open position and will need to be looked at to be made fully serviceable again. The engine bay also houses the only bilge pump currently on board and is at present untested.
The complete 240 volt electrical system was unserviceable and removed in order to carry out the installation of a complete new system during the refit. The steel rudder and skeg appear to be original equipment, with the skeg presenting a welding repair while remaining serviceable. The rudder bearing housing fixing bolts have severe corrosion, while the skeg, rudder and rudder shaft appear to only have a level of surface corrosion. The steering is by two stainless steel wires that run from the wheelhouse and although stiff to operate, is still in working order, requiring a minor overhaul. The interior was stripped in preparation for a complete refit when the boat was purchased in 2013, so currently it is a blank canvas.
The living space has been segregated into four areas, starting with the sleeping area in the bow which has benches down both sides providing two single beds. The sleeping area is accessed through the wheelhouse which is believed to be the original. Within the wheelhouse, there is a fitted wooden seating structure in front of the wheel, and a variety of equipment around that for navigation while out at sea. There are windows on all sides of the wheelhouse that provide a 360 degree view, one of these windows has been removed as it was cracked and access was required to start some other repairs, this window still needs to be replaced. Underneath the seat structure, there has been a toilet installed which is a great use of the space, however it has not been plumbed in correctly and would benefit from a full overhaul.
The next space was set up as the main living area when the boat was first purchased, with a built in sofa bed and wood burner which have since been removed to allow reconfiguration of the space. Windows line the tops of the walls along both sides of this space and the final space which was presented as the kitchen. "Homemade" work space was deconstructed from the area as it wasn't very well made and it was planned to be replaced with new kitchen units in the refit. The main areas from the entrance door to the wheelhouse are seperated with by temporary walls, which with small alterations to provide structural integrity to the roof, can be removed to create a more open plan layout if desired. At some point in it's history, a second auxiliary engine had been added and some sections of structural beams have been altered to accomodate this.
Although these alterations have not caused any issues with the structural integrity of the vessel as yet, it has been recommended that the beams be replaced now that the engine has been removed to ensure the boat is sufficiently supported. There was lead ballast underneath the floor panels to counter the auxillary engine which has now been removed as it wasn't required any longer. There are a variety of styles of floor panels through out the living area, some of which are removable and could provide more storage space when the boat is in use. It is understood that Lucky Lady is licensed for 10 people to fish out at sea, although this has not been checked at present. Although the listing is a fixed price one, I am very open to sensible offers.
Viewing is highly recommended to properly assess the level of project that the boat would be, however this is to be by appointment only due to the vessel's location. The successful buyer is responsible for lifting and transport of the boat, but I can organise this at extra cost to the buyer. The vessel will only be released for transport on the clearing of all payments. Thanks for looking, any questions or information required, feel free to contact me.
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