M. V. Vrijheid is for sale
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After 18 blissfully happy years living aboard full-time, Bruce and Caroline Le Gros are ready to move on to pastures new. For them life has now taken a different course and it is time for new owners to enjoy the privilege of living on this historically-important vessel.
The Le Gros's are proud to leave M.V.Vrijheid in outstanding condition. Over the course of their ownership they have lavished substantial sums on a continuous programme of improvement and refitting. Vrijheid is now considered to be one of Europe's finest 'live-aboard' traditional boats; an uncompromisingly luxurious home that also happens be floating and mobile! She can provide the ideal London residence through the working week, then undertake a weekend cruise up the east coast, or make a long leisurely voyage through the waterways of France and the rest of Europe.
As shown in the comprehensive service history/maintenance log, from 1993 onwards she has been professionally surveyed in dry dock every 3-4 years, regularly repainted, serviced, improved and pampered. Her hull, superstructure, decks and steelwork are absolutely flawless. Meanwhile below decks you will find every conceivable convenience has been professionally installed, giving a level of comfort few enjoy in their houses.
Living and cruising aboard M.V.Vrijheid is relaxing and easy. She is extremely simple to skipper, even for just one person and a mate, with all essential controls accessible from the wheelhouse console. Rigorously-maintained mechanics and electrics ensure carefree sailing. The highly responsive main engine with balanced, hydraulic transmission train makes for easy maneuverability despite her unusual length. The Hastie Steering System, though manual, is so light one could be forgiven for thinking it power assisted.
Huge battery banks and inverters allow all normal 'mains-powered' services to operate freely when sailing away from home. Fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, hairdryer, toaster, computers and home entertainment equipment can be used just as if connected to the mains, even on extended cruises. A large fresh water tank and a more than adequate blackwater tank (sewage) means you only stop when you want to, not because you have to.
The Aga-style oil-fuelled range creates the warmest of kitchens, is ideal for all kinds of cooking and produces massive amounts of hot water for showers, dishes and general use as well as supplying all the central heating radiators.
All the ship's paperwork is included in the sale: appliance operating manuals, certificates proving compliance with safety and navigation standards for all Britain's main waterways, insurance records, copies of surveys, Dutch and British certificates and title deeds as well as documents of historical interest including Dutch Kadaster records and archive logbooks. The current owner guarantees the barge is free of all encumbrances.
Sale is to include an extensive inventory including light fittings, fixtures, curtains, carpets, dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine, tumble dryer, ship's spares, tools, warps and hackle, dinghy and outboard and so much more. On taking possession, the new owner would merely have to turn the ignition key, slip her lines and sail away on their first waterborne adventure.
Equipment, Fixtures and Fittings
| Main engine | Single six-cylinder, VOLVO D67A Diesel engine, Serial No: 496263/10487, reportedly fitted 1968 and run some 1500 engine hours in current ownership. (Manual included) |
| Gearbox | NEWAGE COVENTRY Hydraulic Gearbox, Serial No: 0603553 GO295 310 SVR3. (Manual included) |
| Generator | 240v/50Hz power supply is delivered via a main engine powered 24V/150Amp Belmar 9600 Series alternator through two banks of deep cycle floated lead/acid batteries via two inverters. (Manual included) |
| Inverter | MASCOT Electronics - 24vDC/12VDC 20A – for instrumentation and auxillary 12V battery charging |
| Inverter | Statpower Prosine 1800i (Manual included) |
| Inverter/Charger | Heartinterface Freedom 25 charger/inverter controlled by a |
| Link 2000 | Integrated Battery Monitoring / Charger/Inverter Controller (Manual included) |
| Electrics | Main switchboard & consumption meter with auto-change shore to mobile power switching with individual RCG protection 240v circuits (selected fused 24volt & 12 volt circuits) (substantial rewiring 1993 to 1995) |
| Batteries | Separate engine & domestic banks. Engine: 24V @ 175A (installed 1999). Domestic: 2 x 24V @ 800A (installed 1995) |
| VHF Comms. | UNIDEN MC 6700 Marine Radiotelephone (Manual included) |
| Depth Sounder | Seafarer 5 ECHO SOUNDER (Manual included) |
| Water | 1000 gallons – Galvanised steel. Tested. |
| Sewage | 1500 gallons S/S pressure certified (installed new in 1993) |
| Fuel | 120 gallons (Reserve tankage -- 200gallons) |
| Transfer Pump | Clarke CFT230 – Diesel (Manual included) |
| Water Pumps | 2 x Flowjet 4405 Series QUAD Diaphram water pumps (Manual included) |
| Water Softener | Series 155 – Programmable Reverse Osmosis Type (Manual included) |
| Heating/Cooking | 2300 gallons (4 x 575 gallon, 6mm Steel interconnected) |
| Stove | Stanley Twin Series 80,000BTU Cast Iron CH/Range (serviced annually) Radiators throughout the ship. (Manual included) |
| Cooking Hob | ELECTROGAS propane two burner peizo-electric hob. (Manual included) |
| Washing Machine | AEG OKO-LAVAMAT 6350 - sensortronic front-loader (Manual included) |
| Clothes Dryer | AEG LAVATHERM 57700 - condenser type (Manual included) |
| Dish Washer | AEG OKO FAVORIT 446 (Manual included) |
| Refrigerator | Fisher & Paykel / Kelvinator 480 – Frost free, Fridge/Freezer |
| Dehumidifier | Clarke CD1100 (Manual included) |
| Portable Heater | Siemens Super SER 130 Propane LPG room Heater. (Manual included) |
| Dinghy | Original Dutch steel with twin sealed floatation compartments, oars, and outboard (see below) |
| Honda Outboard | BF5A 4 stroke OHV – includes separate Honda Fuel Tank |
| BSS | Current Boat Safety Scheme Certificate |
| Documentation | Title Deeds, MEETBRIEF, VAT Certification, Tonnage Certification, all manuals, wiring diagrams, and misc. paperwork. |
Note: Other equipment, fixtures, furniture and fittings by mutual arrangement.
This vessel is free of all encumberances
Paperwork
- Boat Safety Certificate: Serial Number 80028 Issuing Surveyor: Mr. J. Bowan of Bowan Marine Associates, Bentford, London.
- Certificate of Gross Tonnage: Certificate No: V30/13902 Vessel fresh water weight 44.1 tons (Hull + Breaks)
- Certification of deletion from Dutch Ship Register Official No: 2772 B GRON 1952
- Survey Reports: Originals available for inspection from 07/05/1987 to 08/09/2002.
Contact
For further information on Vrijheid or to arrange a viewing, please contact us.