ASRP 1218 - up for sale

A neighbour of mine is selling ex-RAF General Purpose Pinnace ASRP 1218, I can get more information or as many pictures as anyone wants.  I do know a full history, both its service and civilian use is available, if anyone is interested I can post more.

Chris Hanley

ASRP 1218 has been used as a houseboat for about ten years, prior to that as a motor yacht.  The latter years have unfortunately seen some neglect but prior to that she was extremely well maintained as testified by a survey report dated 1997 and subsequent re-fit.

Despite being kept on the Thames and thus in fresh water the hull is remarkably sound and water tight.  She does leak through the roof but almost none through the hull itself.  I have lifted all the floors I can and inspected her timbers and tested with a ball pien hammer and they ring true.  There is some softness around the waterline but as far as you can tell without slipping the boat out of the water the hull is ok.

Some of the up-stands on the superstructure are in a poor state especially the supports of the engine room roof.  The roofs themselves have been fibre-glassed and are quite serviceable despite the poor condition of the paintwork.

The decks were in 1997 laid with teak, some of this needs re-caulking.

The engines, although not the originals fitted in 1942 are still Perkins S6M diesels.  The centre engine has been removed (although the shaft is still in place) to allow greater access to the aft part of the boat.  The engines have not been run for at least five years so the condition is unknown.  The gearbox, manifold and I think a few other parts of the centre engine remain as spares.

Although the boat has been a live-aboard houseboat for a number of years the interior layout of the boat has not been altered and has much of the wheelhouse remaining either original or at least very 1950’s period.

The current owner is not in the country but has left instructions to sell.  His asking price is twenty-five thousand pounds but I would of thought he would be flexible on the price.  The boat is crying out for some love and attention and unless it receives some work soon I think it will rapidly deteriorate which will be a tragedy.

Chris

I have persuaded the owner of ASRP 1218 to lower the price to what is a probably more realistic level.  I think he will accept any offer around £12000. 

Not knowing much about this sort of thing, would the members think this is a reasonable price and where would they suggest I advertise her or even advise how I can add her to the “For Sale” listings on this site.

Chris

hi folks,

The ASR Pinnace was a stopgap design as wartime builders could not meet the required delivery for HSLs. It had nothing to do with the seakeeping qualities of the Hants & Dorsets as they had not even been built at the time the Air Ministry decided to convert some GS Pinnaces for ASR work. Although Western Marine built a number of these craft, the lead yard was Groves & Gutteridge, and they subcontracted the work to various other yards.