With the summer now well and truly over, many boating enthusiasts are looking for a project to keep them amused over the winter months. And what better than a boat restoration project?

We currently have four boats for sale, all in central London (one with a full residential licence) and all requiring varying levels of skill, time and money needed to bring them up to scratch.
Let’s start with our lovely old Bertram 31. Built for the 1969 Round Britain Race, this lovely lady has let herself go a bit and now needs someone to make her feel loved again. These Bertam 31s are much sought after in the USA and this example needs some work on her upper body to restore her to her former glory. She's mechanically fine, with just 50-60 hours on the rebuilt Perkins diesels and has a sound hull (woven fibreglass). However, the wooden coachroof and wheelhouse need a fair bit of work and the boat would make an ideal project for someone who knows their rasps from their rifflers.

Next up is our Senator 37. This boat would make the ideal pied-a-terre for someone working in the City or Canary Wharf (5 minutes away by Thames Clipper). She is being sold as an unfinished project; quality heads, wash basin, shower units are all in situ but need connecting. In the galley, a new IKEA kitchen has been fitted but, again, it needs some finishing. Although she has a good engine, it is yet to be commissioned and this boat probably needs another £10,000 to make her seaworthy. She has been an ongoing project for the current owner over the last seven years. She has an extremely strong and sturdy steel construction and one of the lightest, most airy interiors I have ever seen. She would make an ideal London liveaboard. The big selling point, however, is the full residential licence that comes with the boat, which is immediately available without the need to spend years on a waiting list. Such moorings in Central London are few and far between and, in some cases, licences alone have been marketed for sums in excess of £30,000.

Then we have superb and original Dunkirk Little Ship. Steeped in tradition, this lovely gentleman's cruiser is everything a Dunkirk Little Ship should be. I think the current owner says it all: "It is quite simple for me. If it was not for these 'Little Ships' saving the soldiers, we would be speaking German and there is no point in owning a 'Little Ship' if you can't get the veterans on board and celebrate their achievement in time of disaster. They turned defeat into victory and I am the proud custodian of a piece of British history. We have no choice with the veterans. They will die. We have an easier choice with the 'Little Ships' because we can save them." The current owner has lavished much care and put in many hours of toil over the last 14 years. Why's he selling? He's bought another Dunkirk Little Ship, of course! Down below, she's comfortable, spacious, warm and welcoming - a real home from home. The interior needs a little cosmetic finishing and the external woodwork needs some dabs of varnish here and there, but other than that she's ready to continue her cruising life or would make a great liveaboard. The new owner will be able to join the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships and take part in their events, including a return to Dunkirk every five years.

Finally we have our little Weston 370. This little boat would make a great family day / weekend cruiser or fishing boat. However, she's been out of the water for a while and is in need of some TLC. Although structurally and mechanically sound, she needs a jolly good valeting and prettying-up. She comes with a virtually unused De Graaf trailer which cost the owner £2,350 - and this is included in the price.

So, if DIY is your thing, here’s an opportunity a little more interesting than painting the house. Please contact us if you would like to view any of these boats.