Historic Vessel For Sale - MFV Jean Adair

*HISTORIC VESSEL FOR SALE*

MFV Jean Adair (Fishing Vessel, 1949)

Built by A. Palmer of Portavogie and named after the daughter of her original owner, Fred Adair.  She operated as a fishing boat until 1960, after which she was converted to private use, her hold was decked over and the accommodation increased.  Over the next decade she had several different owners, then in 1973, a fire onboard caused damage so she had to have new decks and her topsides and wheelhouse re-built.

The current owner has owned Jean Adair since 1976.  For the first few years she was used for fishing and diving at Poole, but for more than 40 years she has served as a houseboat at Farndon Marina on the River Trent.  However, the owner is now 85, and realises the time has come to move ashore.  Regretfully, this means he must offer the vessel for sale.

Jean Adair has been carefully maintained every four years without any problems.  The topsides were re-designed and re-built in 1982 and a new deck completed in 1995.  Her hull timbers have been maintained and some replaced by E. Leggett of Grimsby.  She has since been used as advertising for several marine companies. 

Hull is carvel built with oak frames and larch planking fastened with iron nails.  She has a cruiser stern, and a bluff bow with raked straight stem. Her twin timber masts are rigged with lug sails.  Steady sail rig. 50ft x 16ft x 6ft draft.  Gross tonnage measured by crane – 34 tons.  Lloyds registered N0 182055.  Larch on oak frames.  Massive construction.  7 Berths: 2 Forrard, Double Aft, Convertible main living sofas, 1 berth in wheelhouse.  Current engine is a Foden FD6 marine diesel, with six cylinders and 128 bhp, made in 1962.

Last summer's record 41 degree temperatures combined with an extremely low river level meant that Jean Adair was aground for most of the summer, and the owner could not rotate her at the pontoons.  The result has been extreme planking shrinkage except in the shaded side.  As the underwater hull was sheathed with the West epoxy system several years ago, no leaks are evident.

The owner told National Historic Ships UK: "Jean Adair has been a fantastic friend and comfortable home to me and I don't want to see her destroyed due to my old age. I don't want history to lose a great ship if possible."

If interested in becoming Jean Adair's new owner or just finding out more, please contact us at info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk and we will pass on your details to the owner.