Yes, it's true. After years of folks down at the marina saying, "Hey man, your boat looks like the PT-109" (never mind the Japanese destroyer following close behind) - we have discovered the truth: The 1938 PT-8. And yes, it is made out of aluminum (just what grade the owner wont say). Still, it has to be the very (very) oldest USN combatant afloat made out of beer cans, what with twin Allison 2,000-hp engines and another Hall-Scott 550-hp engine for "trolling" she's available for sale today at a mere $1.2MN: http://www.ablboats.com/74741 Just not sure that Capt. Binghamton would have approved, much less McHale's crew. ENJOY! -Eric PS - Do NOT call this guy unless you have a spare ear.
Wouldn't have been made of beer cans as, back in those days, they were made of steel. No pull-tabs, either... a 'church key' was required to pop open a cold one.
Sometimes I wonder about myself. Other times I'm sure. Duh! Guess I got stuck on that bow that reminded me of the old 19' Boston Whaler. Anybody know any history behind this style PT?
It looks way overbuilt when looking at how close all of the rib's are in the boat. I'm guessing it came in quite a bit heavier than wood ones and that's why it became a double-build (first and last).......Very interesting that it has the origional propulsion in it though.
Buy Low,... ..., sell high. While it is a genuine piece of history, think it really ought to go to a museum. Vosper Thornycroft (Vosper Thornycroft.* History of Vosper Thornycroft Shipbuilders) were and are fabulous sea-going vessels, "Defenders of the Realm" and all that, but nevertheless, tut-tut, looks like rain. Hull design actually derives from the Catalina PYB, one of WW2 greatest seaplanes. Later, English "colonies" such as Malaysia would even adopt the hull design (see "Perkasa" below). Not sure if old "JJ" Thorny himself would have approved, but still, it's better than a Jerry E-Boat showing up in the marina, no? Cheers! -Eric
Great images here. Any ideas what the top end on that PT would be? With that bow flair/design she would appear to keep a lot of green water off the decks.
Aluminum was far too expensive and important to the aircraft industry in those days to waste it on boats. There wasn't much boatbuilding experience with aluminum in those days either so you are correct in that weight was a problem with that particular hull.
