RARE OPPORTUNITY
An ex-Royal Navy officer training Nelson 45
now extensively renovated and turn-key for adventure.
Can be managed by a sea-faring couple.
Potential for training or as a start-line vessel for yacht races.
£125,000. Offers invited
The Royal Navy's Dartmouth College purchased several Nelson 45 GRP twin engined diesel (non-turbo for reliability and simplicity) boats to train officer cadets, the captains of the future.
Designed by Peter Thorneycroft and fitted out by Watercraft, the Nelson 45 is a classic design produced over many years - users include H M Customs and Harbour Authorities taking Inspectors or Pilots to and from large merchant and cruise ships.
By comparison, the Royal Navy's Picket Boats (this is number 4) had a quieter life being run by professionals to train cadets being the officers of the future.
In 2014, still with the Dartmouth College, an MoD-funded re-fit saw the installation of Perkins-Sabre M130C engines and PRM gearboxes driving through counter-rotating propellors. Also, many new navionics were installed.
Now in civilian ownership this Nelson 45 - re-named Stoic - has been extensively improved and upgraded into a comfortable motor cruiser.
NB This is not the frequently-found DIY conversion.
A team of proven contractors worked to a plan and budget and after 53 weeks, one week behind schedule, launched Stoic which that had gained a new lease of life.
Below decks the accommodation was substantially renewed/upgraded to provide comfort with many modern refinements.
Stoic is capable of being 'off-grid' for several days without needing to start an engine to top-up the batteries due to the 3 kw inverter and lithium batteries. (No gas on board this vessel).
The extensive list of improvements during the recent refit of this Nelson 45 includes new: bow-thruster; electric windlass; two electric heads, a shower; a holding tank; batteries and inverter; etc. The existing hot water and heating system was refurbished.
A classic motor boat of proven pedigree with many new 'mod cons' to make life enjoyable.
Little used since that re-fit in civilian ownership, Stoic needs nothing, everything works as it should, and is ready to slip her moorings to enjoy safe passages, turning heads when coming into port on her next adventure.
Afloat and ready to enjoy. Recent Survey available.
Accommodation, Construction, and Exterior Equipment
From the bow going aft.
The fore-cabin has been extensively re-furbished compared to the cadet officer days. Out went the spartan naval bunks and sea-toilet to be replaced by a double bed on the boat's centre-line with, to starboard, an en-suite electric head, hand-basin and shower.
A new holding tank was also installed, to be appropriate with modern standards.
The 'Nelson' brand of boats have an enviable reputation for being thoughtfully designed for safe sea-worthiness, and also being made to a very high standard. Thorough GRP construction is the hall-mark of all Nelsons with a round chine and deep Vee entry to the bow.
Stoic is one of the later models with a GRP deck that is over-laid with TreadMaster panels and recently re-painted.
As part of the MoD re-fit in 2014, some localised Osmosis treatment was carried out.
At the bow is the recently-fitted Lofrans 24volt electric windlass with a 45 lb CQR anchor and 40 metres of 10 mm chain.
Also, a new bow-thruster was installed which, together with the contra-rotating propellors, greatly eases manoeuvring in a marina.
As one might expect in a vessel of this type the fairleads and cleats are substantial.
In the recent refit, all the skin fittings were renewed and many new stainless steel hand-rails were installed..
Aft of the bridge is a recent new canopy over the cockpit - the open space between between bridge and aft cabin with its raised edges - providing useful shelter.
The large engine room has been extensively improved and modernised and is well equipped with an Eberspacher hot water heating unit and hot water tank with an electric immersion element when connected to shore-power.
The bridge (above the engine room) is very presentable, has a commanding view, and has all the boat's controls to hand, including for the recently installed electric windlass and bow-thruster. There are extensive navionics.
Aft of the bridge and down some steps is a very useful cockpit/open area which, as in the pictures, is under the new blue canopy.
Aft of that space is the light and airy aft cabin with has been extensively re-worked with significant seating, the addition of a modern galley to port and an electric heads and hand-basin to starboard.
There is a central dinette table. All is done well, and to modern standards.
Aft of that cabin there is another useful deck area with significant storage underneath.
Engines and Electrical
Engines and gearboxes.
In 2014, whilst still with the Dartmouth College, the original diesel engines were replaced by two Perkins-Sabre 6 cylinder M130C engines driving through PRM gearboxes and shafts to bronze counter-rotating 3-bladed propellors.
The 'C' designation stands for 'Commercial' rating.
(Still being researched, but not yet confirmed, is the well-known Royal Navy practice of installing de-rated diesel engines to improve reliability and length of service).
During the refit the Eberspacher diesel-fired hot-water and blown warm air systems were thoroughly reconditioned. The stored hot water is in a calorifier tank in the engine room having a heating element connected to the Shore-power system.
Also installed was a Shoreline 230V connector, and lithium batteries were installed with a 3Kw inverter.
The galley has recent new electric: microwave; kettle; fridge/freezer installed.
Navionics
There is a 12 volt drop-down box from the boat's 24 volt system.
During that re-fit in 2014, modern navionics were fitted including:
* Icom VHF DCS and AIS radio
* Garmin GPSmap 6012 Chart Plotter/Radar
* Garmin GM! 1 0 Log/Depth + GPS Repeater.
Disclaimer
Nicolle Associates offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
This vessel is UK VAT paid.
As always photographs do not do justice so a viewing is highly recommended.
This boat is afloat in Fleetwood Marina, Lancashire, England
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