Can anyone identify this boat ?

[qwertynb]

Hello All.

I hope I have posted in the right section.

I am thinking of buying a project boat which is being advertised as a Plymouth Pilot 16. On closer inspection I am not sure the hull actually looks like any Plymouth I have seen (from searching online).

From what understand alot of early Plymouth boats were part finished and completed by others outside the company which might explain the different appearance. Looking at it however, the top moulding seems very different which I would have assumed would have been original, Also the shape of the curve around around the top of bow.

Was wondering if anyone who is familiar with the Plymouth series of boats would have an idea of whether the hull looks original , or what other boat it maybe, or any tell tales signs to look out for.

Any advice greatly appreciated.


Thanks
Nick

 

[Bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum Nick.

Have you measured her overall length, to see if this corresponds to a Plymouth Pilot 16?

Although yes, her deck moulding does look rather different to this Pilot 16 advertised for sale -
plymouth pilot 16



It is possible that she was built by another Builder, but the deck moulding suggests that a lot of time and effort went into making a mould for it, which implies that there should be others like her around, rather than a 'one off'.

 

[QBhoy]

Could be an oyster 16. Usually inboard with a tiller and rudder. Open or cuddy versions.

 

[qwertynb]

So I went to see the boat today and it measures 16ft in length and a similar beam to both the pilot and the oyster.
But looking at the boat the bow shape definitely matches the oyster so I think it is it. Fantastic to find out so quickly!!!

Thank you both for your input.

On a worse note, someone had cut out a large section of floor in its past to fit an outboard as well as removing pretty much all of the structural members of the hull. On top of that it seemed to have a paper thin gel coat in alot of places. I fear it may be too much of a hull rebuild to make it worthwhile when another may turn up in better condition for a tad more. I will sleep on it and see how it looks as project in the morning.

 

[Bajansailor]

On a worse note, someone had cut out a large section of floor in its past to fit an outboard as well as removing pretty much all of the structural members of the hull. On top of that it seemed to have a paper thin gel coat in alot of places. I fear it may be too much of a hull rebuild to make it worthwhile when another may turn up in better condition for a tad more.

Good news that you seem to have positively identified the boat.
Re the 'modifications' mentioned above, were they looking at fitting the outboard engine in a well forward of the transom?
Can you post a photo or two of the interior of the boat please?

Re how somebody has cut out most of the structure, I am thinking that they should be looking at pretty much giving the boat away now - how much are they optimistically asking for?
Re a paper thin gelcoat, that is not too serious really, you can always paint it. But this again is extra work, hence reduce your offer on the asking price accordingly.

 

[qwertynb]

Yes it appears that someone did indeed try and fit an outboard in the forward well of the transom, but made a bit of a dogs breakfast of it with a very irregular hole. The most recent owner I think had the plan to restore it to have an inboard again hence the shaft etc.

I have attached a few pictures, it is a bit hard to see the hole but one can make it out on the bottom right of the first picture as well as the second.

Also, I assume someone was potentially starting to restore the hull hence removing the transverse beams.

The seller is asking for £400 which includes a trailer and a Stuart turner inboard which i think is a fair price however I am not planning on keeping the boat myself so would be hoping to make some income on it (currently trying to get into boat restoration). So it is more a question of how much it would really cost to make it look stunning again.

I recently restored a boat which could only politely be called a garden planter when I started, and after effectively rebuilt the hull putting in 2 x bulkheads, transom rebuild, new stringers and everything else the thought of doing something similar on a larger boat give a few shivers.

The original plan was to be making it into an fully electric boat, so in someway a bit of blank canvas with the hull might be preferable for battery layout etc. I just fear that at the end of it all, it will still look a little shabby as a boat unless I fully take of the top moulding.