Just seen this boat on ebay

[Gazboatman]

I like how the controls are at the front of the boat.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/canal-narrow-boat-/280790614679?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item41606cc297

[Richard10002]

Not surprised he's lost interest in it!!

[JDR]

The description says it had two six cylinder Perkins engines, that is not a canal boat. It also mentions that the boat was built by Thorneycroft in 1940. I know Thorneycroft built MTBs, I think they built and designed landing assault boats. I wonder if that is a converted LCA? With the steering at the front of an enclosed cabin it would be "interesting" in locks. Not sure about the patio doors at the back either.

[alan_fincher]

One sees some optimistic attempts to sell boats, but this one takes some beating!

[carlt]

This is hull abuse.

[ChrisPy]

must have flexible beam so it can squeeze into locks : "approx 8 or 10 feet wide".

mind you if it is a plywood boat from WW2 I'm not surprised the hull is flexible 70 years later.

[carlt]

It isn't ply. It is double diagonal mahogany on oak (or elm) built to the very highest standards.

 

Thornycroft fast launches were superb boats and many still are.

[Athy]

So it's a mongrel: a thoroughbred hull crossed with a garden shed and a small signal box. With two six-cylinder engines it must have been quite a greyhound in its time, though.

[alan_fincher]

Perhaps the seller is reading this thread.

 

The minimum bid has come down considerably since this morning, I think.

[carlt]

Perhaps the seller is reading this thread.

 

The minimum bid has come down considerably since this morning, I think.

It should be a freebie, either to someone who is desperate for a home or is rich enough to restore it.

[RLWP]

It isn't ply. It is double diagonal mahogany on oak (or elm) built to the very highest standards.

 

Thornycroft fast launches were superb boats and many still are.

 

So, there is a nice boat somewhere in this?

 

Richard

[carlt]

So, there is a nice boat somewhere in this?

 

Richard

Yes but to rebuild the superstructure, with nothing left as a reference, would be a huge undertaking and possibly not worth it, depending on the origins of the hull.

[Albert Smith]

The engines, being a 'handed pair' with gearboxes are worth far more than the boat irrespective of being incomplete. Nonetheless it is a historical boat and worthy of restoration if anyone has the funds, in its present form I doubt it has a future

 

Albert.

[i love my narrowboat]

oh you have seriously got to have the comittment and enthusiasm to take this on :-)

[Teadaemon]

Assuming the hull is in as good condition as the seller suggests (and I wouldn't be assuming that if I were thinking of buying her, I'd do a thorough survey), then she might be ripe for a restoration or conversion to a pleasure cruiser. Either way that cabin has to go, and be replaced by something in proportion with the hull, and considerably less like an allotment shed. It'd be a good project, but you'd be looking at something like £50-60,000 in materials and equipment, and several thousand man hours of labour to get her up to a high standard.

[Chris Pink]

It isn't ply. It is double diagonal mahogany on oak (or elm) built to the very highest standards.

 

Thornycroft fast launches were superb boats and many still are.

 

...and quite often clad in plywood for protection when working in harbour.

[twbm]

Quite a lot of info on the Thorneycroft boats on line. This is described as 35 feet but may be a contender.

 

http://www.bmpt.org.uk/other_boats_history/target/index.htm

[Starcoaster]

Whoah. That is some ugly shit right there. And I say that from the cheap seats in an old Springer, too.

 

(I luvs my bote, don't tell her I was talking 'bout her.)

[JDR]

So from Carl's post and TWBM's and the date of manufacture this may be an ex RN Admiralty launch that has had the misfortune to have the original cabin (apart from the first couple of feet) replaced by a garden shed and the engines removed. I agree that this should be given gratis to someone with the time, money and will to restore it.

[Athy]

Whoah. That is some ugly shit right there. And I say that from the cheap seats in an old Springer, too.

 

(I luvs my bote, don't tell her I was talking 'bout her.)

Springers are not ugly. They have character and individuality. It's different.

They are not always well-behaved. mind you.

[Starcoaster]

I don't really think mine is ugly, (she just needs a bit of slap and she'll be fine!) I was just trying to take the edge off of my being judgemental of someone else's boat... Someone must have thought it looked ok at some point!

[ChrisPy]

It isn't ply. It is double diagonal mahogany

that sounds like mahogany plywood to me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

............... coat

[JDR]

On a slightly off topic note, I remember reading about the Royal Navy moving the Mediterranean MTB fleet from Malta to Britain in late '39 early 1940 via the French river/canal network.I don't have access to the book at present but apparently they had trouble going slow enough on some sections and the British Government had to settle a compensation claim from French boaters on the Seine.

[matty40s]

Viewing is recomended for there is lots of portentials to a creative eye

 

 

fantastic comment.......

[benfordboy]

Is the boat a butchered Thornycroft Sealion 40???

 

 

Not sure , as the ebay craft seems to have nothing above the Gunwhales

 

Maybe Carl can advise ?

Edited December 17, 2011 by benfordboy