Project Boat

[Wansworth]

It’s a good 50 years now that I Bought a converted ships life boat powered by a petrol /paraffin engine.This stout vessel as described by the previous owner was a bargain.Having put aboard all my possesions I was off to cross the channel and enter the French canal system.Alas not being an engineer the wretched engine proved difficult to start once the previous owner had disappeared with my 150quid.Not to be deterred it was started and the maiden voyage from Bosham to Itchenor in Chichester Harbour was made.Beached on the hard I left the doughty craft one night.The next morning all my possessions were strangely damp.High tide revealed a massive incoming of water via the hood ends on the sternpost.At this point I was suddenly aware of the big mistake I had made.As luck would have it a passing hopeful mariner suggested he take over the project at which I wholehearted agreed,he fixed up the engine and bodged up the leaks adequately enough for harbour use….it was several years before I ventured to buy another project boat

 

[DownWest]

And now? You seem to be looking for another source of anguish...

 

[Wansworth]

And now? You seem to be looking for another source of anguish...

It’s man’s destiny to trip on the same stone….

 

[Greenheart]

It’s a good 50 years now that I bought a converted ship's lifeboat...the wretched engine proved difficult to start...the next morning all my possessions were strangely damp...I was suddenly aware of the big mistake I had made...a passing mariner suggested he take over the project at which I wholeheartedly agreed.

Never forget the relief of being rid of it. It's all there is to restrain us from returning.

 

[wombat88]

There must be a converted lifeboat somewhere needing restoration but I fear they may have all gently slipped into the deep tidal slime...

 

[Wansworth]

There must be a converted lifeboat somewhere needing restoration but I fear they may have all gently slipped into the deep tidal slime...

There must be a converted lifeboat somewhere needing restoration but I fear they may have all gently slipped into the deep tidal slime...

it can stay there!

 

[Concerto]

Wansworth, just remember "Experience is something gained whilst doing something else".

So, 50 years years ago you learnt not to buy a project boat.

 

[Stemar]

"Experience is something gained whilst doing something else".

Alternatively, "Experience is what you gain just after you needed it"

I'm reminded of an alleged interview with a rather well-off business man

"Mr Megabux, how were you so successful in business?"

"Two words - good decisions"

"Yes, but how does one make good decisions?"

"One word - experience"

"And how does one gain that experience?"

"Two words - bad decisions"

 

[DownWest]

Wandsworth
I saw just the thing on the river a couple of days ago. Fairey Fisherman! Sort of life boat shaped and, of course wood. Just needs a bit of mould and grasses cleaning off the decks. I expect the engine is a runner, or maybe a bit of TLC at worst. It even has a pair of robust looking SS davits bolted on the stern, so not much fitting out needed.
It has your name written all over it....

 

[Wansworth]

Wandsworth
I saw just the thing on the river a couple of days ago. Fairey Fisherman! Sort of life boat shaped and, of course wood. Just needs a bit of mould and grasses cleaning off the decks. I expect the engine is a runner, or maybe a bit of TLC at worst. It even has a pair of robust looking SS davits bolted on the stern, so not much fitting out needed.
It has your name written all over it....

Thanks for thinking of me….

 

[wombat88]

I hardly dare mention the Buckler but is it time to talk about the Cox Master Mariner?

 

[Vicarage]

It’s a good 50 years now that I Bought a converted ships life boat powered by a petrol /paraffin engine.This stout vessel as described by the previous owner was a bargain.Having put aboard all my possesions I was off to cross the channel and enter the French canal system.Alas not being an engineer the wretched engine proved difficult to start once the previous owner had disappeared with my 150quid.Not to be deterred it was started and the maiden voyage from Bosham to Itchenor in Chichester Harbour was made.Beached on the hard I left the doughty craft one night.The next morning all my possessions were strangely damp.High tide revealed a massive incoming of water via the hood ends on the sternpost.At this point I was suddenly aware of the big mistake I had made.As luck would have it a passing hopeful mariner suggested he take over the project at which I wholehearted agreed,he fixed up the engine and bodged up the leaks adequately enough for harbour use….it was several years before I ventured to buy another project boat

My father learned to sail (and swim) on a converted ship's lifeboat from Dell Quay, in the 1950s. The owner was a chap called 'Doug'. I don't know how many such craft would have been in Chichester Harbour at the time

 

[Wansworth]

My father learned to sail (and swim) on a converted ship's lifeboat from Dell Quay, in the 1950s. The owner was a chap called 'Doug'. I don't know how many such craft would have been in Chichester Harbour at the time

After the war the converted ships lifeboat was the poor man’s way to get afloat,several books were written with instructions on how to do it,John Lewis wrote one such tomes.Also Michael Vierny

 

[DownWest]

Thanks for thinking of me….

One needs to spare the occasional thought for those that live in isolated places, surrounded by hostile natives..

 

[Wansworth]

One needs to spare the occasional thought for those that live in isolated places, surrounded by hostile natives..

Interestingly enough there was a tradition of building flat bottomed boats to cross the river Mino as there was no bridge till the early 1980s.Cattle and crops and people would regularly punt across the river which is quite shallow.Our neighbour in fact built one ofthe last ones probably 40 years ago