• Length:  32.8′
• Width:  11.4′
• Draft:  4.5′
• Net Wt. (A):  11780 #
• Net Wt. (B):  24524 #

Designed in Norway and built in California this is a solid platform with several potential uses.  I think this one came from an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. I couldn’t pass it up when I saw it on the internet.  My hope was to build it into a self-sufficient floating home anchored in a harbor someplace.   It was designed to hold about 12,000 pounds of passengers so any building materials can be used to build out the interior.  It was a longshot for me to be able to complete this project at my age and that is turning out be true.  I’m 74 y.o now and my work days are getting too short. 

Most of these lifeboat projects are happening in Europe with only a few here in the US but surely we still have people here that are able to think outside the box and finish this unique project. 

The pilothouse on this one had to be removed for highway clearance reasons when it was shipped on a flatbed while still sitting on a cradle.  It exceeded the 13′ 6″ height limit.  Maybe the next owner will want to plant the boat on land and sell the engine so I left that option.  Having the pilothouse off makes engine removal a much easier job.  I’ve been told the low-houred Sabb diesels are worth $3-4,000. The fuel tank could also be removed,  opening up a lot more floor space aft.

There is a sequence to making these boats usable.  Some of the lifesaving gear can be removed to open up storage space.  They have a full sprinkler system for protecting the passengers in case of fire.  I have removed most of that plumbing.  There were heavy duty cables routed thru the boat to release the big hooks when the lowered the boat into the water.  They are out now but I still have them.  All the bolsters and harnesses are gone and the fiberglass center aisle is all cut out.  The big job removing the floatation in the ceiling has been started.  I would guess maybe a 5th of the way complete after about 15 man-hours.  This is the hard part.  Finish this and then paint all surfaces white was my goal.  Most people cover the side doors with curved acrylic windows that would be above the galley on one side and above a settee on the other side.  An entrance gets made from the stern.

Right now the boat is blocked up on land with boat stands in a boatyard that moves boats for a living and the nearest travelift is just a few blocks away.  I had to pay to get it to the coast and that is usually the first challenge.