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.
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.
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This Converted Lifeboat 60ft has been personally photographed and viewed by Jason Currie-Smith of Boatshed Torbay.
