Jay2903

Don’t actually know yet. Was expecting a quote on Monday. for context this shell is £1k, one with the original equipment no engine is around 4-5k, and ones untouched with original engine anywhere from 5-20 depending on age and dimensions. No not quite wouldn’t fit the engine myself, wouldn’t live on it whilst I work on it, and wouldn’t be working on it alone or with only hand tools.

He’s a fully honest guy. Showed me that beta with the customs mounts, looked really nice. He wasn’t really trying to sell me on it like that, gave me a rough idea of what things would cost and told me to have a think about it.

Long story short it was owned my a boatyard owner who apparently used a little tug boat to get it all the way from Scotland to London. They then stripped it entirely and removed the rear roof section I guess to get out the old equipment and engine. They then ordered a new beta 50 with custom mounts (which they showed me), I think they had some plans of going offshore with it. He then passed away and the new owners are selling it. What you mean by “unsaleable, uncertificated, unusable”

To clarify the reasons why I’m interested in this thing are I really like the look of these things from the exterior, it’s local and currently out of the water- the others I’ve seen are all in Aberdeen, obviously cheap being just a shell, adequate headroom throughout I’m about 6, 3. lower maintenance exterior. the drawbacks are it obviously being a big project. I’d have to outsource the engine fitting. I can’t keep it where it is for very long it’s around 6-700 a month. The engines cooling system might be complicated hence me looking into air cooled ones and more expensive licensing.

Here’s one I saw for sale were they’ve removed the inner layer - “The internal superstructure is oak, bonded to the hull with epoxy resin and fibreglass to add strength where the original internals of the boat were removed.” not sure if having it stripped like this is a plus or minus.

Is an air cooled engine an option, something like a lister TS2

Yea I did know about that. Quite surprised they’re increasing prices so much so quickly. I didn’t see it before it was stripped. I don’t know how to explain it but it seems like the inner layer has been removed from most of it along with the material that would’ve sat between the inner and outer layers. I’m not sure if I’d have done this when stripping it in case I effected its structural integrity, but there is more space for insulation and whatever else.

Beds and stern tube are all there. The previous owner was intending on fitting a new inboard. I’m intending on CCing, getting petrol is fine. My biggest concern is how an inboard would be cooled on something like this ?

I was thinking about that. building a little deck at the back. But because of the shape of the rear of the boat (it being tall at the back) I don’t think I’d be able to see ahead.

Hey guys, I’m in the process of buying a freefall lifeboat to convert into a liveaboard. It’s completely stripped including the original engine, just after for some advice on what engine to fit to it. I think It’s around 3000kg, don’t intend to take it offshore and just want the simplest solution. Not really sure what others with these on the canals are doing in terms of cooling. help greatly appreciated 👍🏽