Lifeboat conversions a cautionary tale

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Wansworth

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Michael Verne may ring a bell in some older formites mind……he wrote optimistically of buying a cheap lifeboat hull and converting it to an ocean wandering yacht……or creekcrawler.I fell under the spell back in 1973 having tried to fight off the idea I purchased a 26 footer lying on the mud at Boshamin Chichester harbour.It had a mast and a petrol/parafin engine which under the sellers deft hands thunderedinto life…..for 150 quidit seemed just what I needed.Michael Vernays book was full of advice so plans were drawn up.Unfortunately disaster was waiting on the hard at Itchenor a few miles away.Whilst on the hard overnight the hood ends started and she sank.Some quick caulking g at low water allowed the boat to be moved to a mud berth….whence she stayed and another romantic took her over
 
I think Des Sleightholme referred to such creatures as 'tore-outs', though it is fifty years since I read that and it may have been something different.
 
When I bought a Clinker built ship's lifeboat in the mid 1960's with my first deep sea pay off, I went for a boat without an engine. In those days it was not uncommon on British Merchant Cargo ships for only the two forward boats, 1 and 2 Starboard and Port to have an engine. The other boats quite often had a dipping Lug rig. In case of an abandon ship the idea , was that the motor boats would 'round up' the other boats and all would stay together until rescue.
I changed the rig to Gaff Rig and added outside ballast, a length of RSJ bolted to the keel..it worked :giggle:
 
veshengro said:
When I bought a Clinker built ship's lifeboat in the mid 1960's with my first deep sea pay off, I went for a boat without an engine. In those days it was not uncommon on British Merchant Cargo ships for only the two forward boats, 1 and 2 Starboard and Port to have an engine. The other boats quite often had a dipping Lug rig. In case of an abandon ship the idea , was that the motor boats would 'round up' the other boats and all would stay together until rescue.
I changed the rig to Gaff Rig and added outside ballast, a length of RSJ bolted to the keel..it worked :giggle:
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Did you have a copy of Michal Verney😂
 
Did you have a copy of Michal Verney😂

No, I'd never heard of him until your first post. I must confess my 'Conversion', apart from the rig, was just a marine ply forward half deck that I could crawl under to kip and I also sawed a couple of thwarts out and put galvanised bent bracers in their place to give more clear space. Left the side benches in because they had bouyancy tanks underneath, and that was it, so not a Gucci live aboard conversion .
 
veshengro said:
Did you have a copy of Michal Verney😂

No, I'd never heard of him until your first post. I must confess my 'Conversion', apart from the rig, was just a marine ply forward half deck that I could crawl under to kip and I also sawed a couple of thwarts out and put galvanised bent bracers in their place to give more clear space. Left the side benches in because they had bouyancy tanks underneath, and that was it, so not a Gucci live aboard conversion .
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Sounds like the one my grandfather had and I learned to sail in on the Orwell.
 
Wansworth said:
Michael Verne may ring a bell in some older formites mind……he wrote optimistically of buying a cheap lifeboat hull and converting it to an ocean wandering yacht……or creekcrawler.I fell under the spell back in 1973 having tried to fight off the idea I purchased a 26 footer lying on the mud at Boshamin Chichester harbour.It had a mast and a petrol/parafin engine which under the sellers deft hands thunderedinto life…..for 150 quidit seemed just what I needed.Michael Vernays book was full of advice so plans were drawn up.Unfortunately disaster was waiting on the hard at Itchenor a few miles away.Whilst on the hard overnight the hood ends started and she sank.Some quick caulking g at low water allowed the boat to be moved to a mud berth….whence she stayed and another romantic took her over
Click to expand...
No wonder you are reluctant to buy another boat.................................. ;)
 
Oddly, have this on board at present. Old lifeboat conversion and cruising after fit out. Good read.
 

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