voorwaarts 18m Steel Industrie Tug for sale in Buckenham United Kingdom

Knowing where to start with a special and historic vessel is always tough.

Here we have a rare Dutch steel tug from 1938. She was built by Voorwaarts for use in the Netherlands and is a registered Dutch historic ship.

She is not your average boat and is lavished in history that includes being used by the allies in the early days of World War II before being taken over for a time and operated by the German Kriegsmarine to service u-boats! Yes she is very special and has a long and fully documented history which you can look up online.

The current owner, it has to be said, is a heavy machine enthusiast and bought her in 2014 and sailed her across the North Sea to the Norfolk broads where she has resided ever since.

This is a fully working and work capable tug from a classic era and her 3 cylinder Industrie 3VD6A slow running 150hp engine runs very nicely from a small day tank of about 100l. This motor is like a museum piece and appears to have been very well looked after all its life. The engine, when running, is affectionally described by the owner as "the three old ladies nattering".

Make no mistake, this is a serious boat that will charm anyone and draw crowds and enquiries and admiring looks from everywhere she goes. She is presented in fully working order with heating throughout and onboard generator etc. There is a large aft cabin that is currently a store room that would easily make nice cabin with direct access to the stern deck.

The large elevated wheelhouse is everything you would expect from such a boat with the biggest steering wheel I have ever seen! The comfortable galley is forward of the wheelhouse and well equipped and a deck down at main deck level. Below this on the forward lower deck are the two main cabins and heads compartment.

If you love history and want to stand out, or want to create a "real ship" experience for a holiday let or similar, then this will be an incredibly unique and high value experience. Or if you just have the desire to own a true historical classic with oodles of character then this is going to be your ideal opportunity to do so. The boat has a current Boat Safety Certificate and this will be renewed for another 4 years shortly. She had new rudder pintles, tailshaft bearing and a galley refit in 2010. Her last survey was in 2014 and is available for inspection

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