Auction Boat Details

Converted Lifeboat 60ft

£25,000.00
The auction has ended
The boat featured is not currently for sale by Boatshed. The boat information and images presented are part of Boatshed’s back catalogue of the 25,000+ boats we have listed in the last 20 years and appear here for general information and guidance purposes about Boatshed and our boat selling systems and services

Converted Lifeboat 60ft

AMAZING PIECE OF HISTORY!
Final Bid
£25,000.00
  • Boat REF#  ·  324136
  • Length  ·  18.29m
  • Year  ·  1905
  • Construction  ·  Wood
  • Underwater profile  ·  Shallow Long with Bilge keel
  • Sleeping berths  ·  8
  • Engine  ·  2 x diesel 85hp, Ford New Holland (2002)
  • Lying  ·  Exeter Area.
Boatshed Torbay
Boatshed Torbay
Jason Currie-Smith

The boat featured is not currently for sale by Boatshed. The boat information and images presented are part of Boatshed’s back catalogue of the 25,000+ boats we have listed in the last 20 years and appear here for general information and guidance purposes about Boatshed and our boat selling systems and services

Extra Details

Designer Thames Ironwork Co.
Builder Thames Ironwork Co.
Lying Exeter Area.
Fuel capacity 1,136.0 ltr (249.9 USG) Total - 2 Tanks
Water capacity 681.0 ltr (149.8 USG) Total - 7 Tanks

Mechanical

Engine 2 x diesel 85hp
Engine make and model Ford New Holland (2002)
Engine Hours engine1= 190
engine2= 192
Engine Cooled Indirect
Steering wheel
Drive shaft
Prop(s) 3 Blade Fixed
Fuel consumption (approx) Not Recorded

Engines appear to be in excellent "As New" condition.

Dimensions

Length 18.29m
LWL 13.72m
Beam 3.66m
Draft Min 1.40m
Draft Max 1.40m
Displacement 28,000kg (61,740.0lbs)
Storage On mooring

Electrical Systems

12 volt battery, 240 volt generator, 240 shore power voltage, 4 batteries charged by: engine, wind generator

Construction

Construction Wood
Underwater profile Shallow Long with Bilge keel
Finish Paint finish

Hull is of double diagonal construction.

Accommodation

Total # of berths 8
No. of double berths 2
No. of single berths 4
Cabin(s) 3
Sink 1
Shower 1
Heads 1 heads (Sea Toilet)

Deep bath.
Twin galley sinks.

3 burner propane Stove

Accommodation

Stove
Broiler
Oven
Sink
Refrigerator
Carpet
Cabin heating
Pressurised water system
Hot water system
Microwave

Deep bath.
Twin galley sinks.

3 burner propane Stove

Deck Gear

Sail cover
Rode
Fenders
Boathook
Swim Ladder
Instrument Covers

Manual windlass
2 anchors
(Bruce & CQR)
55.00m of chain
dinghy ()
(Inflatable)
8hp outboard, Yamaha, Short shaft ()

Nav Equipment

Compass
Speed
Log
Wind
Radar
VHF DSC radio
SSB
GPS
Navtex
Weather fax
Stereo
Barometer
Navigation lights
TV
Depth sounder
Radar Reflector

Safety Equipment

Carbon Monoxide detector
Liferaft
Life jackets
Life buoys
Searchlight
Danbuoy
Safety harnesses
Horn
Swim ladder
Security Alarm
Emergency steering

1 bilge pumps (0 manual / 1 electric)

Broker's Comments

This converted lifeboat is simply a stunning piece of maritime history!

Named the Charles Dibdin and recorded on the historic ships registry, she was built in and commissioned in1905 as a lifeboat for the RNLI. She was in service with the RNLI until 1932 and during her service she was officially recorded as having saved over 420 lives and unofficially, probably many more.

Strong circumstantial evidence also points to the fact that she took part in the rescue of the British expeditionary force in Dunkirk along with all of the other "Little Ships" called upon at that time she and proudly displays a brass plaque in her saloon commemorating that event.

The current owner has spent many decades converting this amazing piece of history into a very nice, functional liveaboard which was the main residence up until recently when circumstances changed.

Stepping aboard the boat gave me a feeling of being an exceptionally strong, sturdy vessel which you would expect, given the job she was originally designed for.

Walking around her nice wide side decks she just felt so solid underfoot. She has powerful looking masts and rigging complete with a bowsprit. She also has a very prominent coachroof and wheelhouse with large wide windows providing good all-round visibility.

The wheelhouse is stacked with modern day electronics and navigation instrument's. The helm position is a very prominent feature in the wheelhouse and has a very sturdy looking skipper's seat bolted to the floor. There is also a large nav station and chart table.

To the rear of the boat is the Bosuns locker which makes for a very large storage area. Stepping down from the wheelhouse towards the bow, on the port side is a nicely apportioned heads compartment with a large deep bath and shower. Opposite the heads is the galley, which is sensibly sized allowing practical use at sea.

Moving forward into the next compartment is the saloon, which is very large with plenty of seating and a large saloon table. A really nice feature is a cast iron log burner.

Stepping forward again and located on the port and starboard side are the large double cabins accommodating two large double berths with plenty of stowage and hanging lockers.

Then, located in the bow section of the boat is another spacious double v-berth again with lots of stowage.

Overall I found the Charles Dibdin to be a lovely looking boat and having a very strong appearance above and below decks with fantastic structural timbers and detailed hand-crafted joinery throughout.

As she has proven, having been been built over 118 years ago, she has exceptional sea keeping abilities as well as a testament from her current owner having provided him with a very comfortable, safe home for decades.

The owner has also supplied detailed information below regarding the boats construction.

"The Hull is made of Honduras Mahogany Double Diagonal.(All epoxied with a thin layer of fibreglass). on oak frames. The deck coachroof and wheel house are made of solid Mahogany laminated ply throughout (all the outside surfaces are sheathed in epoxy and fibreglass) on Oak, Mahogany, Teak, and Iroko Timbers. Only solid hard wood timbers used.
All sat on a full length cast iron keel and on a steel keel added for extra depth; and she has Solid wooden bilge keels too.
No issues with rot or decay that I am aware of . She is shallow draft design for her work as a lifeboat. Going out in some of the worst weather Conditions to save life’s
She was last anti fouled about 9 years ago and has only a very slight amount of weed on her."

So if you want to own this spectacular boat with her fantastic maritime history, then please don't hesitate to contact me to arrange an early viewing.

These boat details are subject to contract.
Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.

Owners FAQ's

How long have you owned the boat for?

I have had the boat since 1982.

Why are you selling her?

I am now retired and have a new home to sort out and my knees aren’t getting any younger.

Where have you sailed her?

I have sailed her over to the Bay of Biscay many times and to many of the wooden boat Festivals in France.

Where the particulars herein give details of a boat, whether new or used, they are intended to give a fair description of the vessel but are not guaranteed as accurate or complete. They shall not form part of any offer or contract for the sale of the vessel. The prospective purchaser is recommended to independently check the particulars and the vessel. The vendor is not selling in the course of a business unless otherwise stated. Personal property is excluded from the sale of the vessel unless specifically included in the listing specification above or in a purchase contract. Personal property may be equipment or gear not permanently attached to the vessel including but not limited to: artwork, entertainment equipment, fishing equipment, TV receivers, recreational equipment, kayaks, tools, and personal appliances. Photos that may incidentally depict owners' personal property do not convey that such items are included in the sale of the vessel unless such items are specifically listed herein. At all times, where the particulars herein give details of a new boat and/or a new boat to be supplied/built by a builder/manufacturer, or a boat to be chartered, via our introduction, we do not guarantee or assume responsibility for the accuracy or reliability of any information offered by third-party companies in respect thereof including without limitation new boat builders/manufacturers, charter companies and/or companies/businesses which are ‘Friends of Boatshed’. We shall not be responsible for, or party to, any transactions, contracts or agreements between you and such third-party providers of products or services and it is incumbent upon you to verify such details direct with such entities and contract with them at your sole discretion and on terms that you agree.