Custom Samson

2004 42' Custom Downeast Cruiser

Builder of Hull - Samson Enterprises, Nova Scotia

Finished by Big Pond Boatshop, Nova Scotia

Beam - 15' 2"

Solid Fiberglass Hull

Engine - Single Volvo 310 hp diesel

ZF transmission 1.9 to 1

Cruising speed - 12 knots

Max speed - 16 knots

Engine hours - 500 hours

12kw Onan diesel generator - less than 20 hours

4 blade bronze prop

360 gallons total in 2 S/S tanks

Sidepower stern thruster

Sidepower bow thruster

Double sliding aft cockpit doors

Two Swedish-built sliding skylight hatches above helm

Texaline covers for windows

Duel Garmin 3210 Chart Plotters, GPS, Depth Finder, Radar. One 3210 currently not operational.

We removed the transom doors because my husband wanted to put the tender on the back deck. We have custom stainless steel stanchions (pictured). We also have the original transom if you wanted to put it back.

12Volt Anchor windlass

2 stateroom. 1 full bath.

Master stateroom is forward with a centerline queen berth, his and hers hanging lockers and his and hers desks.

An ensuite head, shower and vanity sink.

Rode locker is accessed by opening headboard forward

Fully equiped Galley - Stove with oven, microwave and refrigerator/freezer. Corian countertops.

Cherry table/cabinet which flips up to reveal a Zenith flat screen TV, DVD player and storage shelves.

Engine starts like a dream. Link to YouTube video of start up.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pEUvfwWCVAc

eight four three nine zero two nine three three three - contact information Boat has AC and Heat. But it is disconnected.

The Story of the Boat

My husband and I purchased the boat for $225,000 in 2006. The original owners were an elderly couple who wanted to do the Great Loop. He had the boat built and she finally told him that she had no interest in boating. We essentially got the boat new. The boat is worth over $100,000 but it is time for us to move on as we do not have the time to use and maintain her.

We brought the boat down from Maine to South Carolina and did a few local trips. Unfortunately, the economy crashed and we did notget to use the boat. My husband tinkered making some improvements to the systems. Butrealistically the boat was just neglected for the lastfive years or so. There is water damage on the floors.

My husband wanted to replace the fuel tanks with smaller ones to have moreroom in the engine room. He is 6'2". The tanks are presently uninstalled and there is a temporary tank. Wewill include the original tanks.

I have the boat drastically reduced from the value that is therejust to get it off our plate.

The boat ison our dock in fresh water.

If you have the time and some love to givethis beautiful boat, she is a smokin' deal!!

The Husbands Side of Things

My goal for this fine vessel was a fast and efficient cruiser for our family. Simple and robust systems that are easy to maintain to allow us to use the boat instead of always trying to maintain it.

First off, please check out the Samson website to see the quality and strength of the hull and house atwww.samsonboats.com. A true North Atlantic workhorse (built like a brick Shxx House) These boats are strong, rugged and reliable. Not necessarily built to a yacht standard, but built to hold up to the harsh conditions of fishing up North.

After the hull and house were built by Samson, the vessel was transferred to Big Pond Boat Shop in Nova Scotia for finishing. Here is there website. http://bigpondboatshop.com/our-story/ Big Pond did a great job finishing the vessel with just a couple of exceptions. The interior joinery is top notch. The main exception to their skill set was installing hatches. Ceiling hatches are great, but the side portlight hatches leaked which has deteriorated some of the interior wood veneer around the portlights.

After the delivery from Maine to our home here in South Carolina and a couple of local trips, a few issues became apparent to me, which I wanted to correct. The vessel was trimmed by the bow and plowed a lot of water. I was convinced that the primary reason for plowing was poor weight distribution. The fuel tanks were located in the very front of the engine room and situated to impeded access to the main engine. So I set out to relocate the fuel tanks, which as it turns out turned out to be my personal downfall for this project. At great effort I drained the fuel, disconnected the tanks, disconnected the engine, temporarily sliding it forward and removed both port and starboard fuel tanks out of the main engine hatch. The tanks are beautifully made out of Stainless steel, but didn't really fit in the aft part of the engine room or the lazzerette I was going need to cut and modify the existing tanks or just make new ones. Neither one happened. The boat runs currently out of a five gallon bucket of diesel. Not the most ideal for long trips.

We have been getting a lot of questions regarding the transom. I cut out the transom in favor of a more open aft cockpit with custom made stainless steel transom stanchions. I made a roller for where the swim step ladder goes as to bring the tender up on the back deck for easier transport. I didn't like the idea of putting a davit on the swim step or on top of the house. The roller works great and the tender can be launched in seconds. I still have the transom and could be reinstalled.

Teak Cap Rail and Exterior Teak Decks - There are none. In keeping with my easy maintenance approach, I removed the teak cap rails and installed a stainless steel handrail. I personally think it looks great and is a lot more functional without all the varnishing. Using the boat - Good / Varnishing BAD!! The forward starboard cap rail is still on the boat and has not been removed. I have all the teak that I have removed and pleased to let it go with the boat.

I can go on and on to the projects I have accomplished in an effort to make her a stronger, more capable vessel, but as it happens with so many of these stories, life got in the way, and I never finished the fuel tank project and a couple of others. Now with a new baby on the way, life continues to be .complicated. She is a fantastic boat and needs a good home. My wife has encouraged us to cut our losses and sell the boat before she deteriorates any further.

Thanks for your interest and good luck!