1958 Timber Cabin Cruiser - Built in Papua New Guinea - Rare Hardwood Construction - Heritage Vessel



Built in 1958 in Papua New Guinea by Harry Peter Korsman, a former WW2 pilot who sourced and worked rare PNG rainforest hardwoods that are now protected and largely unavailable. Sixty-eight years old and the timber is still holding. Last used in 2024. Vendor reports no dry rot. The full history is available from the vendor. This is one of those boats you do not see at auction twice.



Hull and Construction

7.6m timber cabin cruiser. Traditional displacement hull with moderate forefoot and gentle sheer, consistent with mid-century Pacific cruiser construction. Carvel planked (edge-to-edge planking), using what appears to be dense tropical hardwood throughout, consistent with PNG species such as kwila (Intsia bijuga) or similar. The interior planking displays the characteristic warm reddish-brown grain of old-growth PNG hardwood timber, still structurally sound. Structural frames and ribs are heavy-section solid hardwood, hand-shaped and fitted. The hull sides appear fair and true with no visible distortion. Antifouling paint (red) on the hull bottom appears recently applied and in even condition. White topside paint is weathered with chalking and some areas of flaking but structurally intact. HIN not sighted. Buyers should contact the NT Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics to confirm vessel registration status and title transfer requirements before bidding.



Cabin and Superstructure

Full-width wheelhouse and saloon cabin, timber-built, white-painted. Cabin side windows (two per side, large rectangular fixed panes) appear glazed and intact, however the window bedding compound has failed throughout and resealing is required. The cabin roof (coach roof) has significant paint failure, with flaking, cracking, and bare timber exposed in areas. This is a priority maintenance item and should be addressed before the vessel is left in heavy rain. The cabin roof has two spotlight or deck-light mounts and two aluminium grab rails (both later-era additions). Windscreen wiper arm present. A structural aluminium cross-brace has been retrofitted to the forward cabin bulkhead, indicating prior attention to cabin structural integrity.



Interior

The interior is one of the standout features of this vessel. The cabin accommodation is lined throughout with solid PNG tropical hardwood planking. The forward cabin features a single settee berth on the starboard side with an original built-in drawer unit below (two drawers, solid timber with recessed finger-pull holes) and an adjacent fold-down shelf. The joinery is entirely hand-crafted, consistent with the 1958 build by a skilled individual builder working with premium local materials. The varnish finish is degraded and requires stripping and renewal, but the timber beneath is sound and rich in colour. Exposed structural frames visible on the hull sides are intact. The cockpit aft is open and fitted with dark carpet. Two bilge access hatches in the cockpit sole provide access below. A small anchor is stored loose on board. Two adult Type 1 PFDs are present aboard. The interior has not been restored and reflects 68 years of use and storage, but the underlying materials are of a quality not available in modern boatbuilding.



Engine and Drive

No engine is currently fitted. The vendor states the vessel was last used in 2024. Motor type, removal circumstances, and whether the motor is separately available should be confirmed with the vendor prior to bidding. Engine bay not visible in current photos - inspection is strongly recommended. Drive type to be confirmed on inspection.



Deck Hardware and Fittings

Aluminium chequer-plate swim platform fitted to transom (fold-down boarding step, non-original addition). Flush-mount fuel fill or inspection port on swim platform. Two black rubber rub-rail strips on port topsides. Aluminium grab rails on cabin roof. Dual spotlight mounts on cabin roof. Windscreen wiper arm. Small Danforth-style anchor included. Legacy through-hull fitting holes in transom (legacy hardware removed).



Trailer and Transport

No road-registerable trailer is included. The vessel is stored on a fabricated galvanised steel storage cradle. Buyers must arrange a crane or heavy-lift equipment to move the vessel from the cradle, plus a suitable road trailer or transport to relocate. This is a significant logistics consideration for buyers outside the NT. The cradle itself has aged running gear (aged tyres, heavy rust on coupling, leaf spring suspension) and is not certified for road use.



Condition Summary

* Hull topsides appear structurally fair, red antifouling recently applied

* Cabin roof paint severely deteriorated, priority repair required

* Window bedding failed throughout, resealing required

* Interior timber structurally sound, varnish requires renewal

* Structural aluminium bracing retrofitted to forward cabin bulkhead

* No engine fitted

* No road trailer included

* HIN not sighted

* Vendor reports no dry rot, full history available from vendor

* Last used 2024



Specifications

Year: 1958

Builder: Harry Peter Korsman (private build, Papua New Guinea)

Length: 7.6m approx. LOA

Construction: Carvel-planked timber, PNG tropical hardwood (likely kwila or similar)

Hull form: Displacement cabin cruiser

Engine: Not fitted (last used 2024, motor removed)

Trailer: Not included (storage cradle only)

HIN: Not sighted

Location: 504 Stuart Hwy, Winnellie NT



This vessel is selling as-is. No mechanical warranty. Engine bay and bilge inspection strongly recommended. Viewing by appointment at 504 Stuart Hwy, Winnellie NT. Vendor will supply full build history on request.



SOLD AS IS

Lloyds Stock #153973+1

Location of item: 504 Stuart HWY, Winnellie, NT, Australia

** This vendor is not registered for GST - therefore GST is not applicable on this asset **

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