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1977 Custom Royal National Lifeboat

Ossining, New York

$22,500

DESCRIPTION BY MARINE SURVEYOR JIM DIAS

"The Vessel is built as a custom Life Boat for the Royal National Life Boat Institute in England by William Osborne Ltd, as a Royal Jubilee 38' Life Boat in the best wood traditions at the time. She is one of the most seaworthy of vessels every built. The vessel was built to withstand any conditions and rescue individuals in the worst of sea conditions and was in commission for many years in Margate Britain. The vessel can be rolled 365 degrees and come upright. She is unsinkable with positive flotation chambers. The launching of vessels of her type was often off of beaches in large cresting shore breaks - as would be encountered in severe storm conditions. Engines are designed to run upside down if needed. Her hull construction was as robust as possible to take continued impact against the steel hulls of commercial scantlings, while being able to do this in heavy breaking seas to save the lives of mariners. She was purchased as she was decommissioned in 1993 and shipped to the USA in 2007. She is the most seaworthy of any vessel ever built."

 

Basic Boat Info

Make: Custom
Model: Royal National Lifeboat
Year: 1977
Condition: Used
Category: Power
Builder: William Osborne Ltd, Little Hampton, UK
Construction: Wood

Dimensions

Length: 37 ft
Length Overall: 37'6 ft
Beam: 11'5 ft
Max Draft: 3'5 ft
Displacement: lb

Engines / Speed

Engines: 2
Engine #1 Specs:
  • Make: Ford Lehman
  • Model: Mermaid (Dorset Model)
  • Fuel: Diesel
  • Engine Power: 50hp
Engine #2 Specs:
  • Make: Ford Lehman
  • Model: Mermaid (Dorset Model)
  • Fuel: Diesel
  • Engine Power: 50hp
Total Engine Power: 100hp

Tanks

Fuel Tanks: 2
Fuel Tank Capacity: 40 gal
Fuel Tank Material: Stainless Steel

Other

Boat Class: Tug, Unspecified

Contact

Annie Gray
Gray & Gray Yacht Brokers, Inc.

Office

Gray & Gray Yachts
36 York Street
York, ME, US, 03909
Tel:(207) 363-7997


VESSEL DETAILS

HULL & DECK:

  • Double diagonal 1/2" Honduras Mahogany set in inner sheathing cloth.
  • Laminated oak frames and deck beams.
  • 2" x 2" oak clamp.
  • Sheer stringer 2" x 3.5".
  • Deck is laminated 3/8" marine plywood, with non skid over.
  • Trunk cabin and superstructure 1/4" painted aluminum..
  • Fasteners are bronze and copper clinch nails.
  • Keel is oak with galvanized shoe and stern plate is 3000 lbs of iron thru-bolted.
  • Deck hardware galvanized steel and stainless.
  • Bronze thru-hulls.
  • Vertical 24V Capstan windlass.
  • Large Yachtsman anchor with 10' chain and 300' nylon rode.
  • Helm enclosure and pilothouse aft with water tight compartment forward and amidship.
  • Water tight hatches.
  • Rudder is stern-hung wooden blade.

 

ENGINES: 

  • Twin Ford Mermaid 50 hp, 4 cylinder diesels, naturally aspirated.
  • Hours are unknown but owners say they have been operational without issues since they purchased and shipper her in 1994.
  • 24V DC engine room blower.
  • Cast manifolds and elbows to stem hose, discharge is amidships via mufflers (dry exhausts).
  • Two Jabsco bilge pumps.
  • PRM reduction gears 2.1 x 1.
  • 2" S/S shafts; 3 bladed bronze props in tunnel drives so she can be beached.
  • Hydraulic and cable controls.

 

ELECTRICAL: 

  • 4 batteries - 12V DC lead acid.
  • Some new wiring with circuit breakers.

 

ELECTRONICS: All electronics old and SOLD AS IS

  • Old Decca Radar.
  • Standard Horizon VHF.
  • GPS (not operational).
  • 6" compass.
  • Seafarer depthsounder and knot log.

 

EQUIPMENT: 

  • Emergency tiller.
  • Radar reflector.
  • Life jackets.
  • 2 fire extinguishers.

 

COMMENTS: SILVER JUBILEE is a completely original and authentic 37 Royal National Lifeboat. She is one of 14 that were built of double planked mahogany. This Lifeboat was a part of the Silver Jubilee, which Queen Elizabeth celebrated (although Princess Margaret was the Royal who christened her during the ceremonies at Margate, Kent, England). There are about 250 RNLI lifeboats, mostly built of fiberglass,  including the original 14, which are available throughout the British Isles to rescue vessels and crew when needed. SILVER JUBILEE was shipped to the U.S. in 2007 to her present owner. She was decommissioned as a RN Lifeboat in 1983 after seeing little use, but was maintained throughout her service life to the highest standards. She lived ashore in a boathouse, not afloat. These extraordinary vessels are celebrating their 200th anniversary in 2024. Wouldn't you like to purchase a piece of history? Please call us today for your inspection. Thank you for your interest.

 

 

Potential purchasers should assume that items on the vessel at the time of viewing, but not specifically listed on this specification sheet, are not included with the sale of the yacht. These specifications are believed to be correct but cannot be guaranteed. Specifications are provided for information purposes. Data was obtained from sources believed reliable but is not guaranteed by owner or brokers. Buyer assumes responsibility to verify all speeds, consumptions, capacities and other measurements contained herein and otherwise provided, and agrees to instruct his surveyor to confirm such details prior to purchase. Vessel subject to sale, price and inventory changes, and withdrawal from market without notice. 

 

Mechanical Disclaimer: Engine and generator hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meter. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise, and major overhauls as well as ALL other representations noted on the listing.

 

DISCLAIMER TO BOARD VESSEL: In the event the Buyer boards the vessel either on land or in the water without a broker or owner, the Buyer(s) agrees and understands he boards at his sole risk and liability.