MTB

Sixpence

Sixpence

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No I haven't found one , the question is , has anybody else . I'm starting to get back on course and although I know they are hard to find , does anyone know of one that needs help
 
There was one on the hard at Glasson Dock Marina (Lancaster) a couple of years or so ago. Or at least I think it was one, 80', triple screw, deep Vee forrard, quite flat at the stern, diagonal construction, tatty, peeling paint, shed on top, the lot. Can't have gone far ? Only recall it because of its extreme size & shape.
PS yesterdays picture of Brave Challenger was excellent, she looked strikingly menacing with the dark paint job. (mb forum).
Good luck with your search.
 
That's all I need, I have the weather against me, SWMBO against me, sea against me, and now there is going to be a forumite with a torpedo boat out there.
 
You don make life easy for yourself do you?

I disagree, they are easy to find, almost every creek and river has got one lying in some better or worse state.

If you fancy that sort of thing a much more sensible bet is one of the 40 foot rescue tenders of which there is several types.

One boat that really should be returned to service is the CMB that Hampshire Couny Council own as part of their collection, its the only one left I beleive of the stepped hull hydroplane type.

Berthon have two nicely (and throughly) restored ones on their books.
 
It really would be a huge job. Most of them were built in a tearing hurry, during the War, with the expectation that they might have an active life of ten years or so and, most of them having spent 50 years on a mudberth, you will find that they are now as ripe as a pear. There is a beautifully restored one, (originally commissioned as a Motor Gun Boat and then converted to an MTB) moored at Buckler's Hard, and I seem to remember that she was on the market for £750,000.00 a year or so back. I don't know if they would recoup the money spent restoring her, at that price, even though (I think) the restorer was given the three engines for free.

She is absolutely stunning, particularly when the engines are fired up, and seeing her running at full bore is a sight to behold. I'm not trying to discourage you from taking this on (or to further wind up your SWMBO), but restoring any elderly 70-foot wooden boat is a hobby for a wealthy man, imho.

This is her. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
quote.
For those interested in such things, the fully restored 'Gay Archer' P104 is now based at Watchet with genuine deactivated guns installed.

Hi Peter.
Glad to hear all has gone well and as you planed it.
You may remember me coming on board in northwich at jelsea marine after you were about to start work on the 40mm AA gun so you have it on the fore deck then.
Any chance of it firing blanks yet.
Another point our Friend Trevera25 had an interest in a Thames barge is the one that was being rebuilt at northwich still there and do you have any info.
David.
Mercia III
 
Just in case you all start thinking I've totally lost the plot this time .
Mr Bailey may not like the choice of location , but if I manage this I wont come gunning , /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ,
I'm trying to find one that avoids the pitfalls of my failed venture so location has to be no further south than Essex, with no 'immediate removal clause' , so I can at least get stuck in making her watertight before moving .
I'm not after one that's been done or partly done , but as I've always had a fascination with them , maybe this will satisfy my needs.
I would prefer one that is below the 79 ft limit which I understand is the largest I can go without certain qualifications . So , if there are so many out there , has anyone seen one that fits . And it would be even better if it wasn't too far from home too /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
There are a few around now for sale including at least 1 Failmile 'B' I think (around 50k). At least another couple of BPB 72'6" ( as tour boats) in Malta (£18k). Oh and a whaleback 63' MGB for about £50k I think.
If you're still looking, I'll dig out the links.
 
Go to West(?) Mersea and try to find a boat called L'Esperance, a 90-ish foot schooner that's currently a liveaboard.

See if they'll sell her. A very worthy project.
 
I'm after an MTB that's in crappy condition , so it doesn't cost a lot to purchase (freebie would be better with so many around) , MTB cos it's my kind of boat and always dreamed of having one , crappy condition so I get to do what I want , not put up with someone elses ideas
 
Hi Ben . Missed your post on quick check , sorry , No I dont see any point in being easy on me , nobody else does either . It's more a dream that I'd like to make reality , and the target now has to be a MTB of the magnitude specified . And yes I do sometimes wonder why I do these things . I lost the other one because of other forums so this stays here , everyone please
 
If we volunteer to chip in sploshing grey paint about can we have a go when its up & running with replica (or real) guns, depth charges, torps etc. (ahh, & 3 x 2000 hp engines ...)
Paint brush ready & waiting skipper, oh yes !
 
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