sarabande
Well-Known Member
any chance of resizing that first large pic please ? It makes accessing subsequent posts difficult.
tks
tks
My new project... MFV Elizmor
- Thread starter jellyellie
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jellyellie
Well-Known Member
Yep sure, have made it smaller.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Very exciting acquisition, best of luck with it. I haven't yet read every post or every part of the blog, so I may have missed it...
...but any chance you could give us a detailed list of her dimensions, equipment, maybe a deckplan/layout?
...but any chance you could give us a detailed list of her dimensions, equipment, maybe a deckplan/layout?
fisherman
Well-Known Member
People watching this thread with envy may not realise there are FVs out there, here's one, very pretty boat and state of the art in its day. The engine spec is wrong, the T4 runs at 1000rpm, and don't worry about its age, it should run for ever. http://www.woodenships.co.uk/motor-yachts/scottish-fishing-boat. An offer should get it, not worth too much.
If you look at Graham_Wright's son's boat as in the link above, one of these FVs was sold for £1 unconverted in Newlyn a few years ago, still running as on the last fishing trip. Fairly ropey and a labour of love, but others can be found in reasonable nick. A 90ft steel ex Dutch beamer was sold in Newlyn for £5k, it had a winch worth £8k on the deck, and a 3k worth of fuel still aboard, it was converted for pot fishing. Here:
https://www.google.com/search?site=...ps%2FEmma-Louise-Crabber-I327808.html;500;333
Look out for the next round of decommissioning, if there ever is one, not many left to scrap.
If you look at Graham_Wright's son's boat as in the link above, one of these FVs was sold for £1 unconverted in Newlyn a few years ago, still running as on the last fishing trip. Fairly ropey and a labour of love, but others can be found in reasonable nick. A 90ft steel ex Dutch beamer was sold in Newlyn for £5k, it had a winch worth £8k on the deck, and a 3k worth of fuel still aboard, it was converted for pot fishing. Here:
https://www.google.com/search?site=...ps%2FEmma-Louise-Crabber-I327808.html;500;333
Look out for the next round of decommissioning, if there ever is one, not many left to scrap.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Lots of nice wooden boats to dream over on that site, for not as much as they look like they're worth...this caught my eye: http://www.woodenships.co.uk/sailing-yachts/baltic-trader-timber-carrier
...a snip at £15,000, surely? (I don't want to think about the £150,000 she might cost, for repairs, decks, sails, carpentry down below and engine-overhauls.) Food for dreams.
...a snip at £15,000, surely? (I don't want to think about the £150,000 she might cost, for repairs, decks, sails, carpentry down below and engine-overhauls.) Food for dreams.
jellyellie
Well-Known Member
Hey dancrane, funny you posted a link to that boat. Seeing that advert is what ultimately led to me buying Elizmor.
I have had my eye on old MFVs/wooden things for the past year now, kept looking at them online and then forgot about them again. About 6 weeks ago I saw that exact Baltic Trader listing on Wooden Boats - I have a fondness for Baltic Traders after spending a lot of my teenage years volunteering on the Cirdan Sailing Trust's 105ft ex-Baltic Trader Queen Galadriel.
It inspired me to look around again, and that's when I stumbled upon Elizmor's for sale advert - the rest is history!
I just looked at that Baltic Trader again, what a lot of boat for the money if you've got the right skills. I hope one of us might snap her up and document the work they do to her!
I have had my eye on old MFVs/wooden things for the past year now, kept looking at them online and then forgot about them again. About 6 weeks ago I saw that exact Baltic Trader listing on Wooden Boats - I have a fondness for Baltic Traders after spending a lot of my teenage years volunteering on the Cirdan Sailing Trust's 105ft ex-Baltic Trader Queen Galadriel.
It inspired me to look around again, and that's when I stumbled upon Elizmor's for sale advert - the rest is history!
I just looked at that Baltic Trader again, what a lot of boat for the money if you've got the right skills. I hope one of us might snap her up and document the work they do to her!
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
That would be a fine thing, she's a grand looking old boat, as is Elizmor.
Always fancied one of those old MFVs as a potential conversion to topsail schooner. Some are already so close to the Hollywood image of a galleon - fine curving sheer and stern.
Never been so sure I'd want to take one on, plus the considerable burden of work (foreseen and unforeseen) involved in keeping one seaworthy, let alone converting and maintaining.
I always concluded they must be cheap for a reason...but I'm full of admiration for your commitment. :encouragement:
Always fancied one of those old MFVs as a potential conversion to topsail schooner. Some are already so close to the Hollywood image of a galleon - fine curving sheer and stern.
Never been so sure I'd want to take one on, plus the considerable burden of work (foreseen and unforeseen) involved in keeping one seaworthy, let alone converting and maintaining.
I always concluded they must be cheap for a reason...but I'm full of admiration for your commitment. :encouragement:
jellyellie
Well-Known Member
Yeah, the lack-of-sails things does keep popping up in the back of my head, but Elizmor is perfect for the liveaboard that she will be. Tops'l schooner conversion would be amazing!
I'm pretty lucky to have found Elizmor, as all things considered, she (appears to be!) in pretty good shape and has already been converted, so it's just the re-commissioning for a sea passage that needs the work now - and of course ongoing maintenance. I don't have the skills myself to take on anything more heavily involved, like that Baltic Trader, so Elizmor is perfect for me.
Indeed, commitment is the key word in all of this, sometimes I have little flurries of 'wtf am I doing!' but then I go and stick another log in the woodburner and relax in the saloon and I already wouldn't trade her for the world. I wouldn't mind someone picking up the tab for me though, just booking her launch in a couple of weeks and crane hire is costing me as much as a year's mooring fees for my 34ft yacht in Brighton Marina! OUCH!
I'm pretty lucky to have found Elizmor, as all things considered, she (appears to be!) in pretty good shape and has already been converted, so it's just the re-commissioning for a sea passage that needs the work now - and of course ongoing maintenance. I don't have the skills myself to take on anything more heavily involved, like that Baltic Trader, so Elizmor is perfect for me.
Indeed, commitment is the key word in all of this, sometimes I have little flurries of 'wtf am I doing!' but then I go and stick another log in the woodburner and relax in the saloon and I already wouldn't trade her for the world. I wouldn't mind someone picking up the tab for me though, just booking her launch in a couple of weeks and crane hire is costing me as much as a year's mooring fees for my 34ft yacht in Brighton Marina! OUCH!
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
How admirably honest of you! 
There'll be GRP boat-owners round the UK right now, grinning, feeling quietly conceited about their plastic piles of minimal maintenance. Like me!
But nothing will detract from your feeling of reward one calm summer's evening next year, under sail or anchored in stunning scenery, knowing what you have is genuinely unique.
For the rest of us, it's great to read of the ups and downs of real little-ship ownership. Cheers!
There'll be GRP boat-owners round the UK right now, grinning, feeling quietly conceited about their plastic piles of minimal maintenance. Like me! But nothing will detract from your feeling of reward one calm summer's evening next year, under sail or anchored in stunning scenery, knowing what you have is genuinely unique.
For the rest of us, it's great to read of the ups and downs of real little-ship ownership. Cheers!
jellyellie
Well-Known Member
That was me just a few months ago, very happy with my virtually maintenance free plastic boat! But what's life if you don't scare yourself every day...
I have spent this afternoon vastly updating the website, including uploading a gallery and a new blog post. Check it out here: www.elizmor.co.uk and please leave a comment - very easy to do so
I have spent this afternoon vastly updating the website, including uploading a gallery and a new blog post. Check it out here: www.elizmor.co.uk and please leave a comment - very easy to do so
ripvan1
Well-Known Member
Time to nominate this thread for a sticky - I'm sure we'll all be following with interest and encouragement.
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She's very nicely finished inside, best conversion I've seen of a MFV. Good luck with the launch - do keep the slings on until you're sure she's floating!
onesea
Well-Known Member
I was thinking about your anchor problem, now I know I am going to take stick from some from some forumites although others might offer to help...
Why not get one made?
Danforth are not the most difficult to produce, it does not even "need" to be galvanized yet, although a forumite might be able to help on this at some point.
If the shank is afew garms heavier to make sure its strong enough I don't think you will care as long as its well made...
You have already bought the pattern, you just need to find a welder out there to make one (any volunteers?).
You could always get brave and knock up a fake Ronca (it might be better than the original), actually I would go with a Knox they look just the job to me.
Why not get one made?
Danforth are not the most difficult to produce, it does not even "need" to be galvanized yet, although a forumite might be able to help on this at some point.
If the shank is afew garms heavier to make sure its strong enough I don't think you will care as long as its well made...
You have already bought the pattern, you just need to find a welder out there to make one (any volunteers?).
You could always get brave and knock up a fake Ronca (it might be better than the original), actually I would go with a Knox they look just the job to me.
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
Blimey - just looked through the gallery - that's one heck of a ship you've got yourself there! And a spare generator too!
What's happening to the foredeck? Strip back to bare planking, or paint over?
What's happening to the foredeck? Strip back to bare planking, or paint over?
jellyellie
Well-Known Member
She has been converted in keeping with her character, Robih, especially down below.
Onesea I must admit I had not thought about making my own anchor, I am not sure where I would start. I have a lead to follow up on a 50kg Halls-style anchor so I will do that first... not sure how good their holding is though, or how easy they would be to stow/handle, but I know they are (were?) popular on big ships.
Twister_Ken, she is a little ship alright! HMS Elizmor, haha. Yes two gennies, the one on the aft deck works (but is exceptionally noisy), the one in the engine room needs an exhaust system installed.
I am going to strip the foredeck back to planking (it's pine), it needs some recaulking, then oil it I guess and show off some of her natural beauty again! That can wait until she is in the water, but will need some attention before the trip.
Onesea I must admit I had not thought about making my own anchor, I am not sure where I would start. I have a lead to follow up on a 50kg Halls-style anchor so I will do that first... not sure how good their holding is though, or how easy they would be to stow/handle, but I know they are (were?) popular on big ships.
Twister_Ken, she is a little ship alright! HMS Elizmor, haha. Yes two gennies, the one on the aft deck works (but is exceptionally noisy), the one in the engine room needs an exhaust system installed.
I am going to strip the foredeck back to planking (it's pine), it needs some recaulking, then oil it I guess and show off some of her natural beauty again! That can wait until she is in the water, but will need some attention before the trip.
Greenheart
Well-Known Member
Looking again at the initial photo, I'm guessing her underwater profile isn't suited for carrying sail...(sorry if I've missed a vital bit of the story in that respect)...
...maybe I'm entirely wrong but she looks a bit shallow in the keel department, to offer much lateral resistance even for a close reach...
...and the superstructure wouldn't help...though she'd answer well enough under sail downwind. All saves on the diesel, as well as looking pretty. Any thoughts on a potential rig?
...maybe I'm entirely wrong but she looks a bit shallow in the keel department, to offer much lateral resistance even for a close reach...
...and the superstructure wouldn't help...though she'd answer well enough under sail downwind. All saves on the diesel, as well as looking pretty. Any thoughts on a potential rig?
jellyellie
Well-Known Member
To be honest I haven't even thought about adding a rig, there is enough that needs doing at the moment without adding on bits like that... it would be nice to rig up some kind of steadying (or indeed downwind) sail using her mainmast, but haven't thought about it yet, and it might be a little too far forward to have much use as a steadying sail.
Melleman
Well-Known Member
Even with no sail you shoud get some slower movement in the rollingplan with a taller rigg.
Because a suspect she rolls like a pig(mine did).
What I did on rolling anchorages was filling a 200l bucket on top of the deckhouse roof with water.
To slow down the speed of the roll.
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Greenheart
Well-Known Member
I hadn't even thought of a steadying sail...I wonder if Elizmor's round hull has a particular propensity to rolling? 
The superstructure looks fine, so setting sail overhead might slightly resemble a 1960s Disney pirate movie...big deck saloon like a castle and a funny little overgrown flag on top...
...but the idea must be worth giving an hour with pencil and paper. Would square sails be too ambitious? Very suitable for downwind work...a bowsprit and staysails...but I'm getting carried away again.
View attachment 37514 Nice.
The superstructure looks fine, so setting sail overhead might slightly resemble a 1960s Disney pirate movie...big deck saloon like a castle and a funny little overgrown flag on top...
...but the idea must be worth giving an hour with pencil and paper. Would square sails be too ambitious? Very suitable for downwind work...a bowsprit and staysails...but I'm getting carried away again.
View attachment 37514 Nice.
Melleman
Well-Known Member
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