Sir Paul McCartney's boat, "Barnaby Rudge", is for sale through Essex Boatyards
The ultimate piece of pop memorabilia goes on sale today. Music legend Sir Paul McCartney is selling this humble looking former fishing vessel after 27 years of ownership. But rather than putting it up for auction through Christies or Sotheby’s, it is being sold by none other than Fairline dealer Essex Boatyards.
SEE MOTOR BOAT & YACHTING’S GALLERY OF SIR PAUL McCARTNEY’S BOAT
Sir Paul bought the classic wooden craft with his first wife Linda in 1987 and is said to have enjoyed many happy hours on board with Linda and their children Stella, Heather and Mary. Sir Paul has clung onto the boat ever since because of the memories it holds but now feels it is time to move on and let someone else enjoy its classic wooden lines.
The 48ft Dickens Class motoryacht was built in 1956 by the Groves and Gutteridge yard in Cowes, Isle of Wight with double diagonal mahogany planking over a traditional oak frame and is named Barnaby Rudge after one of Charles Dickens’s less well known historical novels. It was originally built as a fishing boat but has since been converted into a comfortable family cruiser with a beautifully restored wooden interior.
The main saloon has seating for six and a mahogany dining table with a day heads to port and sleeping cabin at either end. The forward cabin has four single berths, presumably for Paul and Linda’s children, while the aft cabin has a large double bunk to port and an ensuite heads with shower and toilet.
It is powered by a pair of Foden FD6 diesel engines of 68hp each giving it a top speed of around 9 knots. The exterior is said to be in good condition but is due to receive a fresh lick of paint before any sale is completed.
The boat is available for viewing by prior appointment at Essex Marina, Wallasea Island with a guideline price of £99,950 and best offers submitted in writing by early June. Sir Paul McCartney is giving all proceeds from the sale to Oxfam. Essex Boatyards has also agreed to waive its usual fee.
For more details see the Essex Boatyards website or call +44 (0)1702 258885 and look out for the full story of the boat in a future issue of Motor Boat & Yachting.
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