Sailing yachts
Converted Baltimore Class Lifeboat
(REF: 18266)£SOLD
Full specification
Wooden Ships Comments on this Converted Baltimore Class Lifeboat
Built by S.E. Saunders of Cowes for the RNLI in 1921, known as the Baltimore Class life boat, a sailing life boat with auxiliary power. Launched as the Frederick and Emma, her first station was Wick where she served until 1939, after which she went to Amble until 1952. During her time in service she saved 98 lives. She is now listed on the National Historic Ships register.
Her previous owner bought the boat in 1965 as a bare hull then fitted her out with the new deck and coachroof arrangement, new engine, rig and interior fit out, she was then used as a live aboard for many years and then as a family yacht, cruising the east coast and taking part in the traditional regattas. Although never at the front of the fleet, she was always there no matter what the weather.
The present owner purchased the boat in 2019 and had various repairs professionally carried out to remedy some minor issues found in their survey. Plans to sail the boat south have been thwarted and she is now being offered for sale once again.
Vessels like this are unusual in their shape and conversion has to be done in a clever way in order to maximise the space available. The previous owner has managed to fit in an enormous cockpit which is very deep and safe, plus an interior with 7 berths and what feels like a lot of space. The deck space is vast as well, despite the large coachroof, with ample room to move around and work the rig from.
The sailing performance is not her strong point, she needs a good wind to get going as expected but will carry her canvas into very heavy weather and will look after her crew through anything. The strength, weight and stability of a vessel like this mean there is more to her than simple speed and performance.
Length on Deck 45′
Beam 12’6″
Draft 3’6″
Gross tonnage 15.26
The below video was filmed in 2017 but shows the layout of deck and down below:
Construction
Planked in double diagonal Honduras mahogany fastened together with copper rivets.
Various seams on the underwater hull have been raked out and re-caulked.
Heavy oak frames at 30″ centres fastened with copper.
Solid teak back bone with heavy iron strap floors.
Deck is 3/4″ marine plywood, sheathed externally and painted in deck paint.
High toe rail all round set on the galvanised stanchion bases.
1.5″ Honduras mahogany coachroof coamings with a sheathed plywood coachroof deck
Large self draining cockpit with seating either side and vast lockers beneath.
Thick cork rubbing band all round is a throwback to her working life and gives stability in heavy weather.
Rig
Gaff ketch rig on solid deck stepped masts.
Solid varnished wooden booms and gaffs.
All spars stripped and varnished in last 2 years.
Well oiled galvanised standing rigging to internal galvanised steel chain plates.
Tough mainsail and mizzen made by James Lawrence, approximately 50 years old in good condition.
Staysail, genoa and mizzen staysail in terylene.
Machinery
Perkins S6M 100hp 6cyl diesel installed new in 1965.
MR10A gearbox with single lever controls to a large fixed 3 blade bronze propeller in a tunnel as with most RNLB’s.
Engine serviced and maintained professionally.
6 knots cruising speed, 10 knots max. 1 gallon/hour at cruising speed.
100 gallon steel fuel tank under cockpit sole
60 gallon galvanised steel water tank under saloon sole.
4 x 12 volt domestic batteries. 2 x 12 volt engine start batteries. Charged from engine alternator.
2 manual bilge pumps and an engine driven bilge pump.
Accommodation
Fitted out by the previous professional shipwright owner when he first bought the boat.
Maximum of 7 berths with a large double owners cabin.
Step down from the cockpit into a passageway offset to starboard past the engine space.
Starboard pilot berth in the passageway under the deck head. Large chart desk and storage area on top of the engine box.
Forward into the main saloon, very wide open space with ample headroom. Single settee berth to starboard. Double settee berth to port. Dropleaf saloon table in the centre.
Forward into the galley with a Flavel 2 burner gas stove with oven and grill. Work surface either side with stowage for crockery and shelves above. Gas powered fridge under the work surface. The stove and fridge have not been used in the current ownership.
Starboard side is a large work surface area with a single stainless sink with manually pumped fresh water.
Forward into the forepeak with lots of stowage, bosuns stores and a single berth to port if required.
The owner’s cabin is on the port side of the engine box, accessed through a passage to port at the base of the companion steps. Large double berth when folded down with full standing headroom.
Heads compartment is at the entrance of the owner’s cabin with a Jabsco sea toilet which discharges directly overboard.
Equipment
Steering Compass
NASA Target sounder
Sealine II VHF
MLRFX321 GPS
2 horse shoe life buoys
2x manual bilge pumps
1 engine driven bilge pump
1 electric bilge pump
1x 75lb CQR anchor
Simpson Lawrence 2 speed RNLB windlass
45 fathoms of 1/2 inch chain
1 Danforth Anchor
1 x 75 lb Navy stockless
1 Galvanised Frank Gibson Anchor Chum
Covers in three sections
5 large fenders
Warps
Galvanised A-frame for lowering main mast
Galvanised stanchions
Boarding ladder
Bunk and birth cushions
Mainsail
Mizzen
Staysail
Genoa
Mizzen staysail
Sai covers
Dodgers
1 large Sea Anchor
Perkins 100hp S6M engine
- Installation Manual
- Workshop Manuals x2
- Spare parts list
- MRF10A Gearbox service manual
1 Avon Lifeboat
1 Avon dinghy
Store of large bronze screws
Bronze electric fittings etc.
Large dedicated box of engine spares
Lifeboat spotlight
Box of spare bulbs etc.
Signalling lamp Type B
Paints/Varnish
Wooden Ships classic yachts brokers have an extensive database of boats for sale. With a wide range of sailboats, classic yachts, motor yachts and small classic boats, Wooden Ships has one of the largest selections of traditional wooden boats and yachts for sale in the UK.
Disclaimer:
These particulars have been prepared in good faith from information provided by the Vendors and are intended as a guide, Wooden Ships cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. The Purchaser should instruct his agent or surveyor to validate all details as necessary and satisfy himself with the condition of the vessel and its equipment.
