1890 Ex Ship's Lifeboat Sailing Cruiser - £14,950 Offers Invited!

Status : FOR SALE

Lying : Norfolk Broads - Viewing strictly by appointment through Topsail

(Please scroll down to the 'Images' section below for more photos.)

General Specification

Builder : Unknown
LOA : 9.14m (30ft 0in)
LOD : 8.53m (28ft 0in)
Beam : 2.69m (8ft 10in)
Draft : 0.76m (2ft 6in)
Keel : Long keel

Construction

• Wood clinker construction
• Double-ender with transom hung rudder
• Shallow long keel with bilge plates
• Glass mat/West System epoxy covered decks and coachroof
• Iron ballast (sash window weights)
• Originally an open lifeboat to SS Frederica
• Converted and cabin added circa 1937
• Only 3 private owners and in current ownership since 1990
• Planks replaced as/when required, plus new decks, new stem and partial new hog under current ownership
• Hull, decks, cabin and cockpit all in very good cosmetic condition
• Coachroof and deckhead repainted 2022 (in gloss with matting agent to achieve matt finish)
• Last ashore and antifouled July 2021
• No recent survey (as none ever required)
• Air draft (masts lowered) : 1.88m (6ft 2in) approx.
• Air draft (masts up) : 9.3m (30ft 6in) approx.
• Please note: Dimensions provided are all approximate

Rigging & Sails

• Gaff Ketch rig
• Wood mast spars
• Bumpkin (believed to be former Norfolk wherry tiller!)
• Some running rigging
• Main mast stepped in tabernacle (painted)
• Mainsail (Jeckells, tan, good condition but requires small patch)
• Mizzen (tan, good condition)
• Jib (white, poor condition, needs replacing)
• Sail cover
• Please note: Sails and running rigging all stored in sealed drum and unused by current owner

Mechanical & Electrical

• Morris Navigator 1,500cc inboard petrol engine (serviced annually, good reliable runner)
• Shaft drive to 3 blade prop
• Stainless steel fuel tank
• Wheel steering (believed to be from Ford Model T)
• Separate throttle and gear controls
• 12V battery
• Second Morris Navigator engine available for spares/repairs

Accommodation

• 2 berths in 1 cabin
• Occasional 3rd berth possible in forepeak
• Portable varnished wood drop-leaf table
• Galley area providing gas stove (2 burners, grill & oven), sink (manual cold supply) with chopping board over and worktop
• Sea toilet (no holding tank)
• Gimballed paraffin lamp
• Opening portlights in cabin sides and coachroof
• Forehatch
• Vast amounts of storage throughout both cabin and cockpit
• Maximum headroom just over 5ft (with a little more in galley area)

Equipment

• Boat Safety Scheme certificate to September 2024
• Fire extinguishers
• Fire blanket
• Carbon monoxide alarm
• 12V bilge pump
• Cockpit cover (shown in photos)
• Broads style windowed cruising awning with rails
• Winter cover
• Stainless steel pulpit
• Samson post
• 2 x quant poles
• Boom/mast crutch
• Navigation lights
• Horn (also likely from Ford Model T)
• Mudweight
• Various warps
• Various fenders
• Cockpit cushions
• Forehatch cover

Remarks

Believed to have been built in - or even before - 1890, this unique and extremely attractive old lady simply oozes with character and history! With much of her well documented history detailed in the 1986 book "The Broadsman: David Dane - Artist and Broadsman", she was originally a lifeboat to SS Frederica, one of three passenger steam ships built for the London and South Western Railway and which later served in the Ottoman Navy as the minelayer Nilufer before sinking during World War I. Sold into private ownership in 1937, she was purchased by a Leeds based headmaster and was subsequently converted (by his pupils it's believed) for pleasure cruising with the addition of an inboard motor and cabin. She sailed out of Whitby, North Yorkshire, until 1981 when she was sold to Norfolk artist, David Dane, who proceeded to use her as his Broadland studio in and around Barton Broad for nearly a decade. In the present ownership for some 31 years, this much loved craft has been lightly used of late, spending a period ashore prior to being restored about 6 years ago, and having been maintained to a high standard since. With her double ended design and beautiful sheer line, this very attractive classic vessel is a real head turner and is widely appreciated wherever she goes. Equally suited to use just under motor (as used presently) or sail, "Cushag" is a very special vessel indeed!

Offers will be considered.

(Cushag is a weed/ragwort species native to the Isle of Man.)