1993 De Groot Beechcraft Steel Dutch Cruiser

Description

My Dutch Cruiser - Lady Sybil.

*This boat is currently non-running due to me, like a spanner, using a wrench to manipulate a fuel line into place after I had given the engine a full service. A new end to the fuel line needed from the diesel tank to the distributor as I damaged it. The engine was last run in October*

*The component that calculates speed that pushes through the hull has also failed causing a slow leak. I have since removed this component and plugged the hole so there is no leak but this now needs a patch welding (which can be done from the inside without lifting the boat) or some kind of replacement for this component but I wouldn't know how you could then keep it in place. *

Context

It is with great sadness that I list my 1993 De Groot Beechcraft Dutch Cruiser for sale. It has been the perfect boat for glorious days out on the river Trent and can even traverse the Nottingham and Beeston Canal as it fits under the low bridges (with a few inches to spare). Boating is something I used to do with my Father-in-Law (who was a boat enthusiast and had his own boat moored in the next birth to mine) who sadly passed away a few years ago. I have since welcomed our daughter into the world and no longer have the time to properly look after a boat let alone enjoy using it.

I bought this boat in 2020 and had it transported on a low loader up from Kent. It was out of the water for a few months while I completed a full external update (it wasn't in bad condition just needed a spruce). I jet washed and sanded down the hull and repainted with hull paint and finished with two thick coats of anti-foul. I replaced the anodes also. Topside I repainted and renovated with the only remaining part I didn't sort was the teak decking to the side decks.

Then followed some brilliant years of boating. We went up to Newark overnight, went down the Beeston and Nottingham Canal and down to Trent Bridge and beyond. She remained highly manoeuvrable, stable, economical (cruises at 1200rpm) and reliable throughout our time on the water and she never wanted for anything. She was my pride and joy. Fast forward to 2024 and I lost my father-in-law who really was my 'partner in crime' when it came to a love of boats and getting away from it all. He was an engineer by trade and a fantastic mechanic who could literally fix anything. When he passed away early 2024 and shortly after my wife gave birth to our first born I had the sad realisation that, for now, the boat just wasn't able to fit into our lives and my love was diminished as I had lost my father-in-law and the memories were still very vivid. The boat hasn't moved much since mid 2024 and that is why she now requires some TLC to bring her back to life.

The Specification:

Dimentions:
Length: 32ft 10ins
Beam: 9ft 10ins
Draft: 2ft 7ins
Air Draught: 7ft 2ins
Displacement: 8 tons approx.
Propeller:19inch x 12inch

Construction:
Cor-ten high tensile anti-corrosive steel.

On board services:
Fuel Capacity: 53 gallons
Freshwater capacity including calorifier: 145 gallons
Holding tank capacity: 53 gallons
3.2kw Eberspecher heater diesel fed and outlets in forward cabin, saloon and owner's cabin
Windlass electronic anchor
240v system via transformer (shore power was de-commissioned but could be reinstated)
Sleipner electrical 4hp bow thruster
1 x engine start battery
2 x leisure batteries in parallel powering 12v systems
1 x battery powering the bow thruster
50w solar panel for trickle charging batteries

Layout:
Front cabin: two single births, wardrobe and drawers and escape hatch.
Day Heads: Sea Toilet with seacocks and Y gatevalve to holding tank. Hot and cold water and basin.
Saloon: Helm console with hydraulic steering, engine and bow thruster controls. L shaped settee with mounting point for table on the floor.
Galley: Twin gas hob and grill, Microwave oven and electric refrigerator. Cutlery draw and sink with drainer with hot and cold water.
Owner's Cabin: Fixed double bed with dressing table and mirrors. 4 opening portholes and escape hatch.
En-suite to Owner's Cabin: Vanity unit with basin, hot and cold running water. Separate shower with cured sliding door. Sea Toilet with seacocks and Y gate valve to holding tank. Two opening portholes.
................................................................................

The good bits:

1. Due to her steel construction she is a very steady cruiser and surprisingly economic. The engine (whilst non running due to my own stupidity in damaging a fuel line during a full service) is fantastic. Zero smoke and even in winter from a cold start there is no smoke. This Perkins 4M90 diesel engine is known globally for outstanding reliability. It provides really good power and can cruise along nicely at 1200rpm or really push the boat through the water at 2000rpm. The engine had just had a full service to prepare it for sale (oil/fuel filters, oil change etc.) and when removing the fuel line from the tank to the distributor to suck fuel through to remove any airlocks I couldn't get the end of the fuel line to line up with the screw on the distributor so I stupidly reached for my pliers to help. needless to say the line was softer than I thought and I bent and distorted it so that end part needs replacing (I would cut off and simply attach the end part with fuel hose as it isn't under pressure but I just haven't the time or headspace to sort it).

2. The boat has lots of high spec electronics such as a windlass, bow thruster and full diesel fired central heating.

3. The toilets are sea toilets so can either empty straight into the water (which isn't allowed in land...) or into septic tanks where they can be pumped out.

4. The rear deck is a lovely place to sit out while underway. I will never understand why but the helm position on the aft deck was removed by a previous owner. This could (and should) be reinstated as the footwell is currently a locker.

5. The bow thruster means she is highly manoeuvrable despite her weight and size.

6. She is currently moored in what I think is the most beautiful marina in the area. Colwick Marina just at the end of Colwick country park giving you direct access to the river Trent.

7. The Hull is in good condition. Internally there is only one area that I did some work on and that is the part of the hull that collects water from the portholes which I think do seep a little. I treated it and pained internally with two coats of hammerite a few years ago and this is still doing a great job of protecting the steel. In terms of taking on water I tend to remove a few litres a month which I think is coming in, as I say, by seepage through the windows. All boats take on some water of course.

The Bad Bits:

1. All the onboard batteries have been discharged for quite a quite and will therefore need replacing.

2. As explained I have damaged the fuel line going from the tank to the distributor (see pictures) so the boat is unfortunately being sold as a non-runner. The engine was last run in October just before I serviced it as I ran it to warm up to thin the old oil to make it easier to remove for the service.

3. A round piece of equipment that spins in the water while the boat drives was starting to leak. It was the seal where the component goes through the hull. Rather than risk it getting worse I removed the component and plugged the round hole with a think branch (see picture). This is now not leaking at all but it needs a repair and the easiest way is a plate weld from the inside. I have on board a foam plug that can be used to plug the hole while a plate is being fitted over the top. Again I contacted a few marine welders and was going to get this sorted but I am just so busy with a toddler and work and I have also lost motivation for things like this since I lost my father in low.

4. The boat safety certificate has expired and I have done no changes to the boat since that certificate was done so I don't see any issue in it passing again. It is likely that the extinguishers are 'out of date' now and will need replacing.

6. As explained the boat has been sat since 2024 and hasn't moved much. This means it needs some TLC inside, some cleaning and ideally replacing some of the plyboard trim here and there where seeping from windows have occurred. This boat is being sold as a project.

Final statement:

I am not a boat salesman and I stand to lose a lot of money on this sale compared to what I paid tor the boat. I am willing to take this loss as I haven't done the things I should have to prepare it for sale (namely boat safety cert/change batteries/sort fuel line/sort failure of speed component through hull). These boats are sought after by those who understand the difference between fiberglass and a 'proper boat' and so in good condition retail around the £30k mark (a similar one that has been sunk for some time and then re-floated is currently being sold for £7k). This boat and all the equipment on it is sold as seen and needs someone who has the time and skills to do a bit of work to add some value and make this, once again, a fantastic family cruiser. Please do see the pictures and feel free to message if I can answer any questions. I can organise viewings and this is likely to be the afternoon of Sunday 12th.

Please note this boat is listed elsewhere and this ad may be halted if I receive the right offer.

Posted: 1 hour ago

Ad ID: 1511947017