Ex Royal Navy Historic Vessel, Houseboat, Expedition Or Charter Vessel Project

This is a historic vessel, built for the Royal Navy and ordered on 22 October 1942 for the second world war, she served in the Royal Navy until 1988 when she was sold into private ownership and used as an escort vessel, diving ship and privately owned pleasure ship and recently has been a live aboard vessel. She has a lot of history, and my ambition was to restore her as one of the handful left of these famous little ships. Mechanically she has the amazing Gardener 8 engine which starts at the touch of the button and will keep going for ever and very economically. These engines are very sought after for there ease of use and reliability, and the engine alone is worth more than the asking price! She is dry below (the deck has been laminated in the past) and very spacious, easily accommodating a large family with space to spare.

From front you have a large bedroom with built in double berth and sink, next is the very large lounge area, room for several sofas and perhaps a kitchen or divided into more cabins. Then it the engine room, here is the Gardener engine and two large fuel tanks (containing well over 1000 litres of good diesel). There is a modern electrical panel for the whole boat, and a bank of nearly new engine and house batteries, properly wired. There is a large waste tank and macerator/pump out etc so possible to moor in rivers etc. There is an eberspacher heater, compressor engine and generator engine but these have not been tested or used by me and so regard as spares or repair.

There is a large tiled shower room and heads with washbasin. The rear cabin is a large space that could be divided easily into bedrooms. Above decks is a wheelhouse with VHF, Radar etc, old but working. Opening to a galley cabin with sink, boiler and seating and a start has been made on installing an electric toilet here. The decks are large and open, with beautiful skylights and original fittings, plenty of room many people to enjoy.

Some useful engine spares and general tools aboard, plenty of documentation/handbooks for the engine, it’s clearly been well maintained. There are so many original fittings on the boat, portholes, working searchlight, light and switch fittings, winches, etc that would be worth a fortune if purchased now. It is moored in a very secure location near to Bristol with electricity connected and there is a very good relationship with the mooring owners. Parking next to boat. Currently I pay £150 month but this would need to be negotiated by the new owner.

As I said, the engine is amazing, she is dry inside when it rains, and the wooden hull is sound with no leaks. Some external woodwork is tatty and will need replacement. Make no mistake there is some work to do to get it as you want, but the essentials are all in place for you to turn it into your dream. My vision was to return it to it's WWII livery as it is one of only a handful left of these brave little ships. There is a lot of history online, but I could easily see it as an elegant and spacious houseboat or equally as an expedition or charter ship.

I have many more pictures so send me a message if you are interested The asking price is fixed, please do not trouble me with offers or arrange to view if you do not have the cash to hand. I might possibly be interested in trading a high spec, recent automatic car. I’m selling only because I now work abroad, but not in a rush to sell and only to the right person who can do the boat justice. I may ask for a deposit before viewing as I have to travel to meet you there, which i would give back to you when you turn up to view. I'm sure you understand that there are a lot of tyre kickers out there.

Particularly at the price I am asking.