"ASRP 1218, an ex RAF General Purpose Pinnace 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 and the teak laid decks need re-caulking but below water the hull is good. I have lifted all the lift able floors and inspected her structural timbers with a ball pien hammer which rings true although there is some softness around the waterline.
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 flaky condition of the paintwork.
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.
