Classic ACF 47' Motor Yacht for sale in Madisonville, Louisiana United States of America

To have the ability of owning a very unique part of AMERICAN MARITIME HISTORY puts one into an elite class of very fortunate yacht owners. There are so few classic American built yachts from the early 1900's that are still plying the waters of the world. Yes, there are some that exist in Maritime museums such as the Biloxi Maritime and Seafood Museum and other maritime museums located around the world.  NOW  the opportunity to become a member of this exclusive club has arrived.

The 1930 47' ACF LIBERTE presents the opportunity to become a member of this very exclusive and prestigious international club. She was built in an era where yachts of this pedigree were only available to the extremely wealthy.

AMERICAN CAR & FOUNDRY (ACF) was incorporated in New Jersey in 1899. In 1901 the ACF company purchased a train car manufacturing company that also owned a shipyard, called Jackson and Sharp based in Wilmington, Delaware They continued to produce rail cars for export until 1920. From 1918 until 1945 the Wilmington plant also built minesweepers for the US government, schooners, barges, steam powered passenger and freight vessels as well as a limited production of private yachts. They had their own lumberyard that converted raw logs into wood products for a variety of uses from planking to frames, and ornamentation. Even the sawdust was used for powering the shipyard and car building facilities machinery.

In 1929 a Boston Massachusets buisness tycoon by the name of Griswald J. Hayward ordered his custom built ACF 47' cabin cruiser, HELEN. In 1932 her name was changed to MAXINE when Max Bear purchased her from the Hayward family. During 1943 MAXINE was purchased by Julius Sylvack. Julius Sylvack then sold her to the Morton's officers and cadets club represented by John L. Morton in 1944 and her new name was MORTON. For 5 years she was used by the cadets etc and was then sold to William Nobles, Jr. in late 1949. Once again, she was renamed JOYCE and remained as such until 1962. It is believed that between 1962 and 1973 she was renamed to LIBERTE and was then sold in 1993 to her current owner/custodian. Under his custodialship she has enjoyed extensive rebuilding and maintenance . She enjoyed the benefit of having C-Flex applied to her very solidly constructed mahogany hull yeilding a solid fiberglass bottom that is now imperious to the common ravagers of wooden hulls. LIBERTE is the holder of numerous awards over the past 30 years as she became an integral part of the classic boat show circuit throughout the Southern States.

One could describe her as a total head turner, a show queen, an elegant cruiser remeniscent of the Gatsby era, or a truly one of a kind yacht. All true. But the most important description of LIBERTE is that she is possible one of the last remaining ACF 47' CRUISERS known to exist and therefore is truly an example of AMERICAN MARITIME HISTORY worthy of being in a private museum. 

Her current custodian has made the extremely difficult decision to put LIBERTE on the market due to his age related health concerns. She is available for inspection inside her boat house in Madisonville, La. Courtesy showings as well as video walk thrus are also available. There is a photo album with over 450 photos and videos also available upoin request.

LIBERTE is ready for a new custodian and to continue providing many future years of aristocratic cruising.

When you first see LIBERTE, you will find yourself taking a few steps back to admire her phenomenally beautiful, majestic lines. Starting aft under the covered cockpit one finds built-in bench seating at the aft end, free standing chairs and a stowable table that will comfortably seat 4-6 for impromptu cocktail parties etc. Facing forward there are two highly varnished companionway doors that are adorned with the ACF golden crest. Behind these 2 doors there are also built-in screen doors. Down three steps one enters a rather spacious aft stateroom. A set of built in bureaus with the iconic ACF golden crest on each drawer line the port side of the stateroom with a hanging locker located forward of the dresser. On direct center line there is another exquisitely built mahogany dresser, also with the iconic gold crests on each drawer and a classic lamp on top. The frmed artwork above this dresser is a promotional poster for one of the classic boat shows in the area showcasing LIBERTE. Proceeding along to the starboard side, we find a second hanging locker and a double berth with additional drawers underneath. This stateroom has incredibly matched mahogany wood paneling as does the entire yacht. Her bright white overhead has the traditional battens in mahogany. Blue carpet covers the sole. Large opening windows with custom window treatments, provide a lot of natural light and ventilation. Facing forward there are two ways to proceed, either to port or to starboard. When she was originally launched the starboard side cabin forward of the master was a full head. Currently it has a Jabsco marine toilet and a Raritan ice maker. The ice maker could be easily removed, and this space converted back to a full head with shower. Opening portlight and mahogany sole are features of this compartment. As you stand in the head/ice maker room, the engine is easily accessed from either this compartment or the galley through removable panels located midline. 

Proceeding forward along the starboard side and up 3 steps one is in the convertible main saloon/helm/second stateroom. This mahogany paneled area is exquisite. Along the port side of this saloon there is a built-in secretary with storage below. As ACF was a train car and bus builder as well as a shipbuilder, there are built- in Pulman Berths located on both starboard and port sides of the main saloon/helm. Unless someone points them out to you, you would never see them as they are well concealed in the matched mahogany paneling. When opened and supported on their individual bronze legs, one will find a small Pulman style clothing bar over each bunk. Very cool feature. At the aft end of the main saloon/helm there is additional built-in storage with a flat screen TV located on top of this cabinet with drawers.

The helm station is located forward in this well lighted area. As there are large opening windows that are located both to starboard and port in addition to the 3 large windows located across the bow, the amount of natural light and ventilation is superb. All windows except for the forward ones have custom window treatments. A pilothouse door is located on the starboard side. Passing through the side door to the walk arounds, one can easily access the foredeck or the aft deck. The decks on LIBERTE are white with teak treads located in front of the boarding gates. Standing on the bow and looking aft one will see a very delightful hand carved golden scrollwork that extends the width of the pilothouse above the forward windows. There is a new Lewmar windlass with remote controls located in the pilothouse. A large opening deck hatch is located above the forward head compartment. Located on top of the pilothouse is a “tender” that is simply artwork on display. The tender is in a mahogany cradle and is located aft of the “smokestack” The “smokestack” houses the compressor for the airhorns and is adorned with blue and gold trim. LIBERTE sports a hinged mast that will allow for gliding under low bridges. Yes, LIBERTE can do THE GREAT LOOP. She also has a large stainless steel search light that is hand controlled from the helm. It is unknown if the davit works and is not to be considered functioning. The low sleek foredeck complete with stinless steel handrails, also has beautiful chrome dorades located on both port and starboard side of the cabin top.

Resuming our exploration of the main saloon/helm area one enters back inside the starboard door. Looking forward one finds a lovely mahogany helm complete with electronics and controls.

The mahogany spoke wheel is truly a work of art as is the classic binnacle. All engine instrumentation and electronics are easy to reach when one is commanding LIBERTE. The bow thruster controls and remote for the windlass are also at your fingertips. The beautifully designed search light has a hand control located in the deck head on the starboard side of the helm. The lower section of the forward center window is also opening, with a windshield wiper located in the upper half. Visibility from the helm is very good as there are also windows across the aft end of the saloon. Currently there is blue carpet in this area. The overhead is crisp white with mahogany battens. There are 4 free standing canvass and wood captain’s chairs for your guests while the commander has a mahogany tall captain’s seat that is also movable. A truly beautiful feature of the cabin sole is the brass ventilation register. Solely for looks now. 

Originally this area was not only the main saloon /second convertible stateroom/ helm but was also used as the family dining area. There is a tremendous amount of space for the addition of a stowable or fixed mounted dining table. Access to the generator flats where the upgraded Northern Lights generator, air conditioning compressor, hot water heater etc is through the saloon sole.

Proceeding forward and to the starboard side of the hem, one passes down 3 steps to enter the large private forward head. This compartment is bright white with teak sole, manual head, a basin and a shower stall area with a teak seat. Opening portlights with screens allows for good ventilation.

Back up the stairs and proceeding aft on the port side one enters the galley that lies amidship. The first feature that catches your eye is the extensive marble counter tops with storage above and below the counters. Below the marble countertop that lies in-board is access to the engine through easily removable panels.

*Stainless steel deep sink

*Full sized stainless steel 110V refrigerator

*Princes 3 burner electric stove with OVEN

*Stainless steel Microwave

*Built in open shelving above the sink counter

*Marble countertops

*Built in glass storage

*Custom wood cutting board built in as part of the stove top cover

*Storage lockers

*Mahogany cabin sole

*Bright white overhead with mahogany battens

*Large windows with custom window treatments

*Easy access to main saloon/helm area or to the aft deck

CONSTRUCTION:

The ACF shipbuilders were well known for building an extremely strong, safe, and sea kindly boats whether they were building minesweepers for the U.S. government or a few privileged individuals. The company intended to build a roomy comfortable family style cabin cruiser that would accommodate a family for sea going adventures.

Here are some of her build stats directly from ACF.

STEM: 4” White Oak

KEEL: 4” Yellow Pine

SHAFT LOG: 6” White Oak

STERN PANEL: Mexican Mahogany 1 ¾”

STERN KNEES: Hackmatack 3 ½”

FLOOR TIMBERS: White Oak 1 3/8” to 13/4” at engine compartment

ENGINE STRINGERS: Oregon Pine 2”

SHELVES: Oregon Fir 2 ¼” x 2 ¾”

FRAMES: White Oak on 10 1/2 “ centers

PLANKING: Oregon Fir 1 3/8” with Bronze fastners

SUPERSTRUCTURE: Mexican Mahogany 11/8”

DECK BEAMS: White Oak 13/8” x 1 ¼”

DECK HOUSE ROOF: Oregon Pine 11/4” x 2” Tongue and Groove

DECK: White Pine 7/8” x 2”

MOULDINGS: Mexican Mahogany

Protected propeller.

In the late 1990’s LIBERTE received an upgrade that would ensure her continued longevity. She was C-FLEXED after 2 years of drying out. The drying period was to ensure that after she had been refitted hull wise, all new lumber was indeed dry enough to receive the C-Flex system. 

 What exactly is C-FLEX one may ask?

The C-FLEX material system and related application technique can accommodate a wide range of boat building needs, from recreational to commercial fishing boats.

C-FLEX is an excellent solution for preserving the life and character of vintage wooden boats, because it can be attached on a wooden hull to create a stronger and more durable hull structure. The C-FLEX is applied to the prepared hull with an Elastomeric Adhesive, which creates a strong but flexible interface between the wood and the exterior fiberglass. The hull is then laminated with additional layers of reinforcements to the desired strength level.

Essentially, LIBERTE now has a fiber glassed bottom which will preserve her hull integrity for all future custodians.

UPGRADES:

LIBERTE has had the incredible benefit of having the same custodian and project manager since 1993. When one sits down and talks with both gentlemen, it is amazing the amount of knowledge that these two possess. To say that they have a symbionic relationship with LIBERTE is an understatement. The project manager was also the owner of the shipyard doing all of her refits and constant upgrading. This is such a unique and extremely beneficial situation for a classic yacht.

Hull C-Flexed

New fiberglassed stuffing box with traditional packing

New engine: 120hp. Ford Lehman

New Fuel Tanks

85% new electrical wiring

New Generator: Northen Lights 8kw

ALL new plumbing.

All new fuel lines

All new engine exhaust

New Verna lift mufflers

New BOW THRUSTER

Custom upholstery both interior and exterior.

Custom foam matresses for all berths

Newer batteries

New Battery charger

New water pumps

Marble counters for galley

Newer AC

Mast Hinged for easy bridge clearance

2 Jabsco Heads

Cameras

Garmin GPS

Galley appliances upgraded 110V refrigeration, Microwave

Newer Raritan Ice maker

New LEWMAR windlass with remote

Upgraded electrical system 30 amp service

Upgraded plumbing systems

Upgraded fuel filter systems

Upgraded sound insulation

Upgraded lighting.

All opening windows have been serviced

Windshield wiper upgraded

Upper deck Smokestack houses air compressor for the 3 Air Horn system

Deck is canvass covered has been protected and painted

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Newer NORTHEN LIGHTS 8 KW generator

All batteries replaced in the past year

2 start batteries replaced

2 house batteries replaced

Windlass and bow thruster battery

 30 amp service fromboth sides of yacht

85%  new wiring and panels

Full engine instrumentation

Genset remote panels

Newer triple air horns

Newer air compressor for the horns

Newer bilge pumps

MECHANICAL:

*120hp FORD LEHMAN DIESEL with Velvet drive transmission

*8 kw NORTHERN LIGHTS GENERATOR

*Pro Tournament 360 battery charger

*Racoor filters

*Newer sound insulation

*Newer plumbing

*New fresh water pump

*Water filter

*Newer wiring

*Newer fuel lines

*Newer fuel filters

*Newer Air conditioning

*Hot water heater

*Shaft 11/4”

*Raritan ice maker

*Newer water lines

*Newer swim platform with steps up to cockpit

*Spare anchor

*Spare prop

*Spare lines

*Spare power cords

*Mechanical spares

LIBERTE has had her annual bottom inspection and new bottom paint completed in March 2024. Her mechanical and electrical services have been completed annually. She is ready to go forth and provide a new custodian and family with amazing adventures that come with owning such a rare and unique piece of AMERICANA HISTORY.

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The company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change or withdrawal without notice.