Refit: Herreshoff 18

Vessel: Herreshoff Harbor Pilot 18
Name: Deliverance
Owner: Provincetown Marina
Hailing Port: Provincetown, MA

When the owners of Provincetown Marina decided to restore an old workhorse from their marina fleet, they chose to ship their vintage Herreshoff Harbor Pilot 18 launch to Great Island Boat Yard. She was tired, worn, and ready for a total refit. The project called for extensive fiberglass repair, custom carpentry, a repower, new instrumentation, updated steering systems, multiple varnish applications, and a fresh Awlgrip finish, inside and out. This would be a large-scale job on a small-scale vessel. After some initial demo work, the restoration effort commenced.

Work Scope:

  • Cut Out Rotten Deck
  • Repair Deck Beam System, Engine Beds, Seat Supports & Hatches
  • Remove & Replace Fuel, Electrical & Steering Systems
  • Install New Instrumentation & Electronics Packages
  • Replace Rubrails & Cockpit Coaming
  • Rebuild Teak Swim Platform
  • Build New Teak Boarding Steps
  • Fabricate Teak Bullnose for Seats
  • Fabricate New Stick Helm Tiller & Tiller Shoe
  • Rework Rudder & Steering Cabling System
  • Remove, Polish & Reinstall Original Bronze Deck Hardware
  • Paint & Insulate Engine Box
  • Apply 10 Coats of Varnish to Exterior Trim
  • Awlgrip Hull, White w/Jet Black Boot Stripe
  • Paint Bilges & Interior Hull
  • Apply Non-Skid
  • Mount New Safety Gear
  • Install Boarding Lights
  • Install Handcrafted, Traditional Rope Fendering

This lovely marina launch was returned to Provincetown this summer, as good as new! The next time you visit Provincetown Marina, look for DELIVERANCE, and the custom GIBY builder’s plaque mounted just inside her stern.

4 Comments

Steve Wade, Orienta Yacht Club, Mamaroneck, N.Y.0543

We have just been given a 1977 Herreshoff Pilot just like the one you restored. The first order of business is to trailer it and its cradle to our club. Have looked , without success to find out the displacement. It has the original Leyland/ Westerbeke W 30 engine with a Paragon hydraulic transmission. Can you help- what does this launch weigh?
Thanks and I am sure we will be back with other requests for help as we dig into this restoration.

Reply
Kristin Peterson

I’ve not been able to get the information you requested, but if you contact Provincetown Marina, I bet they can answer your questions re: the boat’s specs. The launch resides and operates there. Good luck with your project. Neat boats!

Reply
Andy Alsobrook

I recently purchased a 1978/1993 Herrschoff launch ,I would like to talk chat with someone about the boat?

Reply
Kristin Peterson

Reach out to Provincetown Marina. They own and operate the boat.

Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *