Willowmoon, ex-MFV 27
Ref. CA133EUR 75,000 ,-
A sturdily built professional boat with an interesting history. Today she can be a blue water family cruiser or a charter boat with lots of character. In UK she is registered in the National Historic Ships files. Hull and deck restored, interior to be finished. She needs new electronics and new sails.
Yard:Frank Curtis, Looe, UK
Design:British Admiralty
Model:Motor Fishing Vessel
Building Year:1942
Ensign:British
Hull Structure:Larch on oak frames
Deck Structure:Pine
L.O.A.:
Convert to
feets
19.48 m.
L.W.L.:
19.00 m.
57.91 feets
Beam:6.00 m.
18.29 feets
Draft:2.68 m.
8.17 feets
Displacement:40
40 Tm. Tm.
Type:Gaff Ketch
Winches:Various
Genova Furling:
Main Furling:
Spinnaker Pole:
Windlass:Yes
Anchors:
Tender:
Outboard:
Safety equipment:
E.P.I.R.B.:
Engine:Mercedes 315
Power:150 cv
Year:
Serviced:
Hours:
Hours:
Transmission:Shaft
Propeller:Fixed three blades
Bowthruster:
Fuel Tank:2 x 500 l. each
Main-sail:
Jib:
Genoa:
Try-sail:
Stay-sail:
Mizzen:
Spinnaker:
Gennaker:
Log:
Depth-sounder:
Wind Station:
Autopilot:
VHF Radio:
GPS:
Plotter:
Radar:
Other:
Voltage:
Batteries:
Generator:
Inverter:
Batteries charger:
Cabins:3
Total Beds:6 + 2
Heads:2
Showers:2
Hot water:
Water Tank:4 x 1800 l. in total
Holding-Tank:
Fridge:
Oven:Yes
Air Conditionning:
Washing Machine:
Water-maker:
Miscellaneous:
These details are believed to be correct but not guaranteed...
The Saint Paul was built in 1942 as a patrol vessel for the British Admiralty. It belongs to a class of ships built during the Second World War for coastal anti-submarine patrols. They were economical and very sturdy vessels, easy to build and with excellent seaworthiness. These ships were modelled on the deep-sea fishing vessels of the time and were fitted with a main engine and a powerful auxiliary engine. The St. Paul was ordered in February and launched in July bearing the registration MFV 27 (Motor Fishing Vessel 27) and had an adventurous military career: she patrolled the North Sea and even the Mediterranean, based in Malta from 1944 onwards. In 1950, she was decommissioned from the Royal Navy and began a civilian life, probably as a merchant vessel. In 1993, she became a privately owned vessel and was refitted with her current ketch rig, featuring gaff sails, which is well suited to the hull’s design, as it utilises sails with a horizontal rather than vertical profile. Curiously, it has no bowsprit, probably to avoid complicating manoeuvring, and the rigging should be regarded as an aid to motor navigation. The St. Paul is now called Willowmoon and is listed on the Register of Historic Ships, giving it cultural significance. Its sturdy hull has recently been fully restored and the deck completely rebuilt as well. The boat requires interior cleaning and refurbishment, as well as an engine overhaul and replacement of the secondary engine and generator. The masts are in good condition but require a full coat of paint or varnish. Once completed, she will make an excellent offshore cruiser for the new owner’s family or a superb charter vessel with plenty of character and a story to tell. Moreover, these two roles are not mutually exclusive and can be carried out simultaneously.