RESTORATION PROJECT
"Panther" a unique aluminium gentlemans express cruiser built 1961 and featured at the 1962 London boat show priced at approx £10,000.She is 1 of 2 the other sold as a tender for the Brooke built Omani Royal Yacht but lost overboard in a violent storm during delivery so she is truly unique.
Her hull is of full length single plate marine aluminium and all welds are by argon arc, at approx 6mm thick I believe her to be very sound.The hull was sandblasted and epoxy coated 12 years ago and has only had a short spell in fresh water since. Engines 2x Lancing Ford York diesels 59 bhp each fitted 1985 with only 10 hours use, Borg Warner 71 velvet drive boxes and shaft drive.
Accommodation for 4 over 2 cabins, fully featured galley,dinette and cupboards/draws in polished ash.WC and basin to rear. Panther due to my late fathers preceeding illness has been unused for 10 years and has been on blocks for that time where she has fallen into disrepair however she was in working condition when craned out.Her exterior woodwork chine rail, rubbing strake etc have suffered and topsides have rot and would need replacing, the superstructure frame and roof are strong and as the deks are alloy the superstructure bolts to this. The engines turn freely by hand (I choose not to apply power without a full wiring check) and have virtually no use from new.
She retains nearly all of her original fixtures and fittings and comes with her original blueprint, boat show brochures ,photographs used for publicity and a letter of providence from Brookes archivist as well as tech info for engies and gearboxes. Panther does need plenty of TLC but is an acheivable project for a competant owner and with a re engine she has a design speed of 25 knots. |
