No.2Diesel
New member
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- Location
- Huntington, NY
Hi,
Another great recovery!
I want to thank Lex_Ordo, MACSOG, and my brother for helping me get this done. Without their efforts this would not have been accomplished. A big Thank you.
This would've been a little easier if we had the wrecker operational but it still would've required alot of grunt work anyway.
I was never into powered craft but this one caught my eye due to the stout construction specified by the Navy, its uniqueness and because its diesel powered (Detoit 225hp V-6 with Allison transmission.) We also had visions of Apocolypse Now dancing in our heads.
I won this at a town surplus auction for $230![[thumbzup]](https://www.steelsoldiers.com/images/smilies/icon_smile_thumzup.gif "Thumbs Up [thumbzup]")
I started preparing for the recovery several days in advance. I needed to bring: Steel, wood cribbing, pipe, hand & power tools, chain & rigging stuff, engine-driven welder, oxy-acetylene cart all loaded into the Deuce.
The trailer I'd be using is one I just got a few weeks ago. New decking, paint, reflective tape, brake overhaul, more tie down shackles welded on etc. I didn't want to borrow anyone's boat trailer cuz it'll be sitting for awhile while I work on it. I even attached a pioneer tool rack! I just need to stencil it to finish it off.
The Boat:
This is a 26' Personnel Boat (act. length 26'-6") that was used to transport Officers from ship to shore. Otherwise known as a Captain's Gig. It has a red waterline stripe. If it had a white stripe it would be known as an Admiral's barge. These Personnel Boats came in different sizes up to 40' and came with different cabin/deck layouts.
This particular craft was assigned to the Spruance Class Destroyer USS Peterson DD969. Lt. Comm. Peterson was an Annapolis Graduate who was killed in combat serving in the Navy's Riverine Force in Vietnam. I attached a spec sheet so I don't reiterate all the specs of the boat.
Decoding the number embossed into the transom:
26 = boat length, PE = Personnel, 86 = year of manufacture, 21 = 21st hull
These craft were stock designs that different manufacturers would construct to Navy specs. Navy inspectors would personally oversee the various stages of construction and take core samples etc. This is a no frills vessel and every empty space is filled with foam so it will swamp and not sink. My friend in our military vehicle club has virtually the same boat but has a different cabin layout and has a Cummins 6BT-M
The Recovery:
We departed from home at about 05:30 and arrived out in East Hampton at about 07:15 and got breakfast. Since it was a weekday and after Labor Day, we didn't have to fight major Hamptons summer traffic. Its still pretty busy though.
The whole day felt like the "build-montage" from an episode of the A-Team
And in the end it was great to have the plan come together. Our three main objectives were to:
1.) Jack boat off of existing support and remove existing support
2.) Fabricate stationary cradle and lower boat onto cradle
3.) Secure boat to cradle and drag onto trailer
Viewing the pictures illustrates that all three objectives were carried out with great success. Some didn't think the Deuce would be able to pull it onto the trailer but Mr. Deuce proved them wrong again. Put it in 6x6 and up we go. Some wheel spin occurred but I used finesse when applying power and it worked out great. Went to a local steakhouse on the way home and had some steak and a few liters of Hefeweizen!
I'll try to answer any questions you have. Enjoy the Pictures!!
Another great recovery!
I want to thank Lex_Ordo, MACSOG, and my brother for helping me get this done. Without their efforts this would not have been accomplished. A big Thank you.
This would've been a little easier if we had the wrecker operational but it still would've required alot of grunt work anyway.
I was never into powered craft but this one caught my eye due to the stout construction specified by the Navy, its uniqueness and because its diesel powered (Detoit 225hp V-6 with Allison transmission.) We also had visions of Apocolypse Now dancing in our heads.
I won this at a town surplus auction for $230
I started preparing for the recovery several days in advance. I needed to bring: Steel, wood cribbing, pipe, hand & power tools, chain & rigging stuff, engine-driven welder, oxy-acetylene cart all loaded into the Deuce.
The trailer I'd be using is one I just got a few weeks ago. New decking, paint, reflective tape, brake overhaul, more tie down shackles welded on etc. I didn't want to borrow anyone's boat trailer cuz it'll be sitting for awhile while I work on it. I even attached a pioneer tool rack! I just need to stencil it to finish it off.
The Boat:
This is a 26' Personnel Boat (act. length 26'-6") that was used to transport Officers from ship to shore. Otherwise known as a Captain's Gig. It has a red waterline stripe. If it had a white stripe it would be known as an Admiral's barge. These Personnel Boats came in different sizes up to 40' and came with different cabin/deck layouts.
This particular craft was assigned to the Spruance Class Destroyer USS Peterson DD969. Lt. Comm. Peterson was an Annapolis Graduate who was killed in combat serving in the Navy's Riverine Force in Vietnam. I attached a spec sheet so I don't reiterate all the specs of the boat.
Decoding the number embossed into the transom:
26 = boat length, PE = Personnel, 86 = year of manufacture, 21 = 21st hull
These craft were stock designs that different manufacturers would construct to Navy specs. Navy inspectors would personally oversee the various stages of construction and take core samples etc. This is a no frills vessel and every empty space is filled with foam so it will swamp and not sink. My friend in our military vehicle club has virtually the same boat but has a different cabin layout and has a Cummins 6BT-M
The Recovery:
We departed from home at about 05:30 and arrived out in East Hampton at about 07:15 and got breakfast. Since it was a weekday and after Labor Day, we didn't have to fight major Hamptons summer traffic. Its still pretty busy though.
The whole day felt like the "build-montage" from an episode of the A-Team
And in the end it was great to have the plan come together. Our three main objectives were to:1.) Jack boat off of existing support and remove existing support
2.) Fabricate stationary cradle and lower boat onto cradle
3.) Secure boat to cradle and drag onto trailer
Viewing the pictures illustrates that all three objectives were carried out with great success. Some didn't think the Deuce would be able to pull it onto the trailer but Mr. Deuce proved them wrong again. Put it in 6x6 and up we go. Some wheel spin occurred but I used finesse when applying power and it worked out great. Went to a local steakhouse on the way home and had some steak and a few liters of Hefeweizen!
I'll try to answer any questions you have. Enjoy the Pictures!!
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