USCG SPC SW 24’ Boat

[tmuenster]

I found a US Coast Guard SPC SW (Special Purpose Craft- Shallow Water) boat last fall on the GSA site. It was located at the Fort Macon North Carolina Coast Guard Station. When I bought it, the twin Honda 150 outboards had been removed along with most of the electronics. I contacted Metal Shark, the company that manufactured the boat, to request a manual and the specs for the boat. They offered to inspect the boat and do an overhaul at a reasonable cost so I hauled the boat to the Metal Shark facility in Bayou LaBatre, AL.

The boat was outfitted with twin Yamaha 225 hp engines and the Yamaha Helm Master control system. The Helm Master system allows the engines to be controlled independently using a joystick. It is a fantastic system and allows the boat to move sideways when docking. The engines are mounted on a Jack plate. Heavy duty trim tabs allow the boat to be dialed in while carrying heavy or uneven loads. The fuel system has a 100 gallon capacity. Other upgrades include the seats were reupholstered; VHF marine radio; stereo; Garmin GPS fishfinder/sonar; and remote spotlight.

Here are some additional specs on the USCG SPC SW-

Metal Shark was awarded a contract by the USCG Office of Boat Forces to build a total of 90 SPC-SW patrol vessels in September 2008. The USCG will deploy 40 units, while the remaining will be deployed with the Customs and Border Protection. The first craft in the fleet, Coast Guard 24500, was commissioned in 2008. The SPC-SW multi-mission response boat is based on the Metal Shark 24 Relentless standard platform. Its hull features a hard chine planing boat design made from marine grade aluminum alloy. A cathodic protection system is installed to protect the exterior surfaces of the hull. The vessel can be transported on public roads by a trailer developed by AmeraTrail. The overall length of the vessel is 27ft, while the beam is 8ft 3in, height is 12ft 9½in, and draft is 1ft 6in. The vessel weighs 6,880lb and incorporates non-skid, aluminum decks and gunnels. The patrol craft is equipped with two shock-mitigating patrol seats and two jump seats accommodating a coxswain, a boat crew member, and up to two additional crew personnel or passengers while executing high-speed mission duties. It can also carry up to six additional personnel. Other equipment fitted to the vessel include a partially-enclosed centre console with an aluminum canopy, lighting systems, fire extinguisher, two 12VDC submersible bilge pumps, bilge pump panel, windshield wipers and washers, and an anchoring system. The SPC-SW also incorporates three 12VDC marine grade lead-acid batteries, including a port engine starting battery, starboard engine starting battery and a dual-purpose battery. It can also be fitted with mounted automatic weapon and a tripod gun mount on the forward deck.

 

[tommys2patrick]

that is one heck of a boat. does not look like something that wants to be confined to an inland lake. almost 500 HP wowee. if it had wheels it would be a house mover. just curious--what did the refit cost?

 

[tmuenster]

Thanks Tommy2Patrick! I am excited to have this boat. The refit was expensive like anything for the marine industry. However, I was lucky to have Metal Shark take on the project. They were interested to see how their design did over the boat’s service with the USCG and they had a space in their production schedule over the winter. They sold the engines and other parts to me at their OEM cost, which was a great savings on the project.

I am planning to use this boat for the Tennessee River Expedition 2024 or TennEx ‘24 as we are calling it. We will be in Knoxville, TN in October as part of the “Vol Navy” for the Tennessee vs Alabama football game. Following the game, we will depart downriver for Paducah, KY and the Ohio River. We will travel the length of the Tennessee River stopping to see sights and camping along the way.

 

[tommys2patrick]

Looks like it was outfitted for some pretty rough water with those impact absorbing seats. I like the built in bumpers. suppose you would need that if you had to board another vessel as well. machine gun mounts definitely give it a wow factor. even an airsoft model would be sure to please all. yea i'm jealous. happy sailing.

 

[byrdman1312]

I'll wave at you when you pass Perryville Marina, TN River Mile 135. Near the Hwy. 412 bridge, Alvin York Bridge. Nice boat ! Smooth sailing!

 

[canadacountry]

@tommys2patrick i don't want to give you any crazy idea but if you're very curious about "being armed" in the water you simply need to check out australia aka this: https://www.ausbg.org .. just read the fun part located below the 'learn more' link

its a bit of a wild hobby thats for sure, and legal no less hehe

 

[tmuenster]

I'll wave at you when you pass Perryville Marina, TN River Mile 135. Near the Hwy. 412 bridge, Alvin York Bridge. Nice boat ! Smooth sailing!

I am across the river in Linden, TN so I hope to catch up with you at the Perryville Marina sometime! I put the boat in the water at the Mousetail State Park ramp for my first TN River run. Uncle Sam may have retired these old warhorses but I plan to keep them running a while.

 

[byrdman1312]

Are you the guy that has the DUKW?

 

[hcso2332]

Great looking boat!

 

[tmuenster]

Are you the guy that has the DUKW?

Nope but having a DUKW would be fantastic!

 

[Smiml7]

I found a US Coast Guard SPC SW (Special Purpose Craft- Shallow Water) boat last fall on the GSA site. It was located at the Fort Macon North Carolina Coast Guard Station. When I bought it, the twin Honda 150 outboards had been removed along with most of the electronics. I contacted Metal Shark, the company that manufactured the boat, to request a manual and the specs for the boat. They offered to inspect the boat and do an overhaul at a reasonable cost so I hauled the boat to the Metal Shark facility in Bayou LaBatre, AL.

The boat was outfitted with twin Yamaha 225 hp engines and the Yamaha Helm Master control system. The Helm Master system allows the engines to be controlled independently using a joystick. It is a fantastic system and allows the boat to move sideways when docking. The engines are mounted on a Jack plate. Heavy duty trim tabs allow the boat to be dialed in while carrying heavy or uneven loads. The fuel system has a 100 gallon capacity. Other upgrades include the seats were reupholstered; VHF marine radio; stereo; Garmin GPS fishfinder/sonar; and remote spotlight.

Here are some additional specs on the USCG SPC SW-

Metal Shark was awarded a contract by the USCG Office of Boat Forces to build a total of 90 SPC-SW patrol vessels in September 2008. The USCG will deploy 40 units, while the remaining will be deployed with the Customs and Border Protection. The first craft in the fleet, Coast Guard 24500, was commissioned in 2008. The SPC-SW multi-mission response boat is based on the Metal Shark 24 Relentless standard platform. Its hull features a hard chine planing boat design made from marine grade aluminum alloy. A cathodic protection system is installed to protect the exterior surfaces of the hull. The vessel can be transported on public roads by a trailer developed by AmeraTrail. The overall length of the vessel is 27ft, while the beam is 8ft 3in, height is 12ft 9½in, and draft is 1ft 6in. The vessel weighs 6,880lb and incorporates non-skid, aluminum decks and gunnels. The patrol craft is equipped with two shock-mitigating patrol seats and two jump seats accommodating a coxswain, a boat crew member, and up to two additional crew personnel or passengers while executing high-speed mission duties. It can also carry up to six additional personnel. Other equipment fitted to the vessel include a partially-enclosed centre console with an aluminum canopy, lighting systems, fire extinguisher, two 12VDC submersible bilge pumps, bilge pump panel, windshield wipers and washers, and an anchoring system. The SPC-SW also incorporates three 12VDC marine grade lead-acid batteries, including a port engine starting battery, starboard engine starting battery and a dual-purpose battery. It can also be fitted with mounted automatic weapon and a tripod gun mount on the forward deck.

Do you mind sharing what you paid for the boat without before the refurbish? I found one for sale locally. Not sure if it’s a good deal or not seeing how there’s not much of a market on them.

 

[tmuenster]

The government had reserve auction prices for these surplus USCG boats ranging from $25k to over $40K depending on location and condition of the boat.

The marine industry, like the aviation industry, is a very expensive market. Watercraft made for government use are extremely heavy duty and well made. The kind of quality that goes into government boats comes at a high cost. The contact price for these boats was over $200,000. If you contact the manufacturer to order this model today, then the price would likely be over $300k.

During my time in the Navy, I qualified as a small boat coxswain and operated many types of watercraft. It has been a dream for me since I was in the service to own a boat like this. The USCG SPC SW boat is very unique and I am fortunate to have it. I do not think surplus boats are the right choice for most recreational boaters. There are less expensive, more comfortable options available in the recreational marine industry.

 

[canadacountry]

@tmuenster although its a bit of 'orange and apple' thing at times the same applies to a lot of other mechanical stuffs, cue an industrial-designed 4-banger diesel refitted for vehicle usage being a slow powerplant but would last well over 200k miles versus a car manufacturer designed 4-banger diesel having problems over time and finally gets scrapped at just 90k miles .. and mind you even certain small pickups during the 1980-1990's used to have eg a perkins engine in them considering that such engines normally were only found in tractors or fixed-base generator setups at that time!

 

[kleinertn17]

The government had reserve auction prices for these surplus USCG boats ranging from $25k to over $40K depending on location and condition of the boat.

The marine industry, like the aviation industry, is a very expensive market. Watercraft made for government use are extremely heavy duty and well made. The kind of quality that goes into government boats comes at a high cost. The contact price for these boats was over $200,000. If you contact the manufacturer to order this model today, then the price would likely be over $300k.

During my time in the Navy, I qualified as a small boat coxswain and operated many types of watercraft. It has been a dream for me since I was in the service to own a boat like this. The USCG SPC SW boat is very unique and I am fortunate to have it. I do not think surplus boats are the right choice for most recreational boaters. There are less expensive, more comfortable options available in the recreational marine industry.

I have been keeping a close eye on these at auction. They are a fantastic boat. If you don't mind, may I ask what metal Shark charged for the refit? I'm really curious at what I should expect to budget to have a vessel like this. THanks

 

[tmuenster]

I have been keeping a close eye on these at auction. They are a fantastic boat. If you don't mind, may I ask what metal Shark charged for the refit? I'm really curious at what I should expect to budget to have a vessel like this. THanks

It was a unique “Window of Opportunity“ for Metal Shark’s facility in AL to do the refit. The real benefit was getting the twin 225 Yams at wholesale. Metal Shark’s boatyard in AL has since been sold to Burdon Inc. I am not sure if Metal Shark still has a facility in LA.

I have more work that I would like to do on it but I have to say, I really love the boat. It rides very well and has some great features. The Yamaha Helm Master system is very good and I cannot imagine using the boat without it.

 

[kleinertn17]

Defiantly is a dream boat! Safe and dependable. How does it trailer? Is it fairly easy to handle at the boat ramp for its size?

 

[tmuenster]

The trailers for these boats were made by Ameritrail in FL. It is a high quality aluminum trailer with surge brakes. I thought it would want electric brake control since it is a heavy boat. However, the trailer brakes work well. I trailered the boat from NC where I purchased it to Metal Shark’s shipyard in Bayou LaBatre, AL. I pulled just fine behind my RAM 2500 with Cummins 6.7 turbo diesel.

I am experienced with towing trailers and I prefer backing up a longer trailer such as this boat trailer compared to smaller trailers. The longer the trailer, the less steering input required in my opinion. The one issue I ran into with this boat/trailer combo is the height. It is very tall and came close to catching on some low hanging overhead wires. I ended up removing the searchlight on my boat. I didn’t think I would use the light too much and removing it gave me piece of mind passing under wires, low branches, etc. The attached pic shows the boat with the searchlight under some wires. If you look closely, you’ll there is about a foot between the lowest wire and the light. The pucker factor was just too high for me. The light had to go.

 

[tommys2patrick]

perhaps you could make use of that machine gun mount position and fab up a searchlight mount in that location. is the light controlled from a joystick in the cockpit or strictly manual. anyway cool stuff though. I have one from a destroyer with a signal shield on it. mounted it to my deck. it runs off 120v. i live in the mountains and its useful for finding my horses at night or in bear season to keep them away from the chicken coop.

 

[canadacountry]

particular long-strung wires on old poles are indeed sometimes a bit of a funny headache. I know theres one place (village 2-lane street with hard curbs) where a typical food delivery truck has no problem using the cafe/restaurant's driveway off that street most of the year, but from time to time through the summer the exactly same wires now are too droopy for the truck to clear without having to risk pushing it (assuming it would overrun the roof and not snag in first place instead) cue the truck then having to simply park fouling the little road for awhile but what can one really do?!

 

[tmuenster]

I did build a mast with yardarm for my boat. We wanted to fly a Battle Ensign, Vol Navy pennant, and our Tennessee River Expedition burgee for the trip down the Tennessee River. We are starting the trip in Knoxville on October 19th. The mast fits in the base the USCG used for a light mast. The mast has a pin at the base so I can lower it when necessary.