High-Performance Watercraft: Motor Gun Boat 81 - Nicknamed 'The Seas' Spitfire'
The Motor Gun Boat 81, a marvel of engineering from the height of World War Two, stands as a testament to an era when beauty and function met high-performance design. This iconic vessel, designed by the renowned powerboat racer and founder of the British Powerboat Company, Hubert Scott-Paine, was conceived with a specific purpose: to hunt German E-Boats.
Constructed from double diagonal half-inch thick mahogany planking above the waterline and triple beneath it, the Motor Gun Boat 81 boasted an impressive speed of over 40 knots, thanks to its original three Packard 1,250hp petrol engines. However, during a refit between 1999 and 2002, these were replaced with triple FPT 825hp diesels, resulting in a more modest top speed of 30 knots.
Despite its transformation into a war machine, the Motor Gun Boat 81 retained a stylish design, reminiscent of the Supermarine Spitfire and Vulcan bomber of the era. It was fitted with a two-pounder gun capable of firing over 100 rounds a minute at a range of over two miles, and depth charges could be deployed amidships to finish off any E-Boats that dived underwater to dodge the shells.
The Motor Gun Boat 81 was one of 24 ordered by the Admiralty. During wartime, it required two engineers to operate the engines, but today, separate triple levers for gears and throttles provide direct control. The vessel's specifications include a LOA of 21.9m, a beam of 6.3m, and its original engines.
A subscription to Motor Boat & Yachting, the world's leading magazine for Motoryacht enthusiasts, provides knowledge and insights to help realise sailing dreams, as well as access to the Custom Yachting supplement focusing on superyachts and the luxury market. The Motor Gun Boat 81, despite being a war machine, is a testament to the magazine's ethos of combining inspirational adventures, practical features, tests, and news of the latest motorboats.
In 2018, the Motor Gun Boat 81 underwent another major refit at Berthon International in Lymington, ensuring it remains a shining example of its era. However, the specifics of the changes during the refit are not detailed. The Motor Gun Boat 81 does not have a listed price when new, making it a unique and exclusive addition to any collection.
Today, the Motor Gun Boat 81 stands as a symbol of a bygone era, a time when design, performance, and functionality came together to create something truly extraordinary. It serves as a reminder of the power and beauty that can be achieved when innovation and tradition collide.
