1944 Thornycroft for sale

[Simpo Two]

Had no idea this existed, but it looks astonishing!

https://uk.boats.com/power-boats/1944-thornycroft-...

[croyde]

That is gorgeous.

[akirk]

stunning - would have that like a shot - and when you compare it against a modern supercar for cost I know where I would prefer to spend my money... (and RR engines!)

[Huntsman]

She needs an experienced owner.

[Simpo Two]

akirk said:

stunning - would have that like a shot - and when you compare it against a modern supercar for cost I know where I would prefer to spend my money... (and RR engines!)

RR yes, but only 190hp each so you won't be doing much planing. However it does help the fuel bill!

The interior is superb; well worth scrolling through the photos to see.

[66bus]

That is lovely..

[andyA700]

Many years ago, there was a German WW2 E Boat at the same location. If I have some free time this week, I may take a trip to see her.

[Zippee]

Huntsman said:

She needs an experienced owner.

From a very uninformed and naive point of view - why is that?

[croyde]

Also naive and inexperienced although I can handle a ten birth cruiser on the broads solo, including mooring

I'm guessing the size, the fact it's sea going and two great engines to look after

[akirk]

I think that like anything old it brings complications - much as a classic porsche / ferrari / 1930s car / etc. takes more looking after and a different way of driving v. a modern jump in, press a button and steer 2023 version...

modern boats will have different challenges but a lot of the kit will be there to help you (bow thrusters, cctv into the engine room / sensors everywhere / joined up electrics that talk to each other...) whereas the old boats are much simpler but more hands on... for an owner who has mechanical sympathy and knowledge then they shouldn't be challenging to drive / own, but for a lot of more modern boaters they may find that the lack of technology suddenly requires them to actually be a proper sailor and actually manage the boat!

[LimaDelta]

That is perfect. Exactly what I would like for my retirement.

[Huntsman]

Zippee said:

From a very uninformed and naive point of view - why is that?

I'm a wooden boat owner, 22 years, 4 rebuilds later...

My are all quite different construction and a lot easier to fix, I find the 23ft ones easy, the 28's tougher and the 31 I did bloody hard work.

She's big! long, wide and deep, its an AWFUL LOT of boat.

Maintenance demand is huge an needs to be approached in a structured way.

She's complex construction, repairs are going to be involved. She's lightly built, likely prone to movement in the structure.

If taken on my someone not aware of what they are dealing with, in very short order they would be up against a major job, a job so major that they might not manage it.

Blink and she's gone. Or needs a million pounds (at least)

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Wonder how long 6000 litres of diesel lasts.

[Huntsman]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

Wonder how long 6000 litres of diesel lasts.

180hp engines at full load would burn 9 gallons per hour each, 18 gallons hour total.

Cruising speed probably half load, so total burn 9 gallons an hour, thats 40 litres and hour.

6000/40 is 150 hours, say 8 knots, so you're looking at gobbling the whole lot in 1200 miles.

That's probly close ish.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Thanks for that. So 1200 miles is looking at about £7k?

[pequod]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

Thanks for that. So 1200 miles is looking at about £7k?

Marine diesel is about £1.50/litre (60/40 split) so you're looking at £9k ish to fill from empty.

[Simpo Two]

Huntsman said:

She's big! long, wide and deep, its an AWFUL LOT of boat.

And visibility from the wheelhouse is remarkably poor, if my go at the helm of HSL102 is anything to go by. Mind you the guy there spun it round and reversed in no problem - that's experience for you!

[ChemicalChaos]

Huntsman said:

Jordie Barretts sock said:

Wonder how long 6000 litres of diesel lasts.

180hp engines at full load would burn 9 gallons per hour each, 18 gallons hour total.

Cruising speed probably half load, so total burn 9 gallons an hour, thats 40 litres and hour.

6000/40 is 150 hours, say 8 knots, so you're looking at gobbling the whole lot in 1200 miles.

That's probably close ish.

That's about £7.50 a mile at my rough maths

Gorgeous looking boat though! Presumably a very PH sort of owner, looking at some of the interior rooms too (ie the workshop and the flight sim in one of the bedrooms!)

[Simpo Two]

ChemicalChaos said:

Presumably a very PH sort of owner, looking at some of the interior rooms too (ie the workshop and the flight sim in one of the bedrooms!)

Also in PH style, very soon after I posted it in the FB group, the owner popped up! 'Hi, I am the owner of Amiens RASC for the past twenty odd years and I did all the work myself. I am always happy to answer any questions for genuinely interested people. Or you can look her up on the National Historic Ships website where you can see more information and photos'.

Can't recall if it's among the photos, but he has a model of his boat in a case inside the full-size boat. Whether the model has a tiny model inside it I couldn't tell...

[kimducati]

andyA700 said:

Many years ago, there was a German WW2 E Boat at the same location. If I have some free time this week, I may take a trip to see her.

50 years ago (where did that time go??) there was an E Boat based at Littlehampton Marina. Belonged to a customer of my old mans, ran a Cooper S on hand controls.
Wonder if it could be the same one?
Used to see it regularly, the old mans boat was berthed at Arundel and we used to motor down the Arun and sail out of Littlehampton harbour. Nasty piece of water!!
Kim