1992 Custom Marine Metals Charles Wittholz Aluminum Trawler

SONGLINE was launched in June after a multi-year refit with the following upgrades and refurbishments.

• Awlgrip paint job on the decks, superstructure and flybridge, fresh bottom paint and aluminum anodes
• New 73lb Rocna anchor with 290' of new 5/16' G4 chain (meticulously marked in one of the 47 ways that don't work!)
• Wireless remotes for Maxwell windlass
• 45lb Danforth with short chain and 150’ 1” Sampson braid rode
• 45lb spare CQR in lazarette
• Both engines and genset, prepped and painted with Petit Rust Lok and POR15 engine paint
• All fluids and filters changed
• Aluminum integral fuel tanks professionally steam cleaned and fitted with four inspection ports
• Engine room and laz bilges taken down to bare metal
• Shelving and Uline storage bins added in laz
• Full LED lighting added to the engine room and lazzarette
• New engine-driven emergency crash pump
• 5 Bilge pumps total
• New raw water pump on port engine (Stbd. engine raw water pump replaced -410 Hours)
• New electric fuel boost pumps for mains and genset
• New manual lift pump on genset
• Injectors and injector pump on genset replaced 400 hrs ago
• Props fully reconditioned and electronically balanced by Prop Scan (two spare props mounted in laz)
• New Marelon sea cocks on air conditioning and anchor washdown
• New air conditioning strainer and raw water hose
• 25’ fresh water coil hose installed in engine room for easy washdown after strainer cleanouts
• New black water hoses and duckbill valves in Sealand discharge pump
• New midships bilge pump
• Tender crane rebuilt with fully refurbished main lift cylinder and hydraulic oil flushed and replaced
• Crane controls were converted from wired remote with printed circuit board and electric valves to manual levers. Just one switch to turn on the pump.(simple, rugged and reliable!)
• New smoked plexiglass Venturi windscreen on flybridge
• Brand new 120v 6gal water heater
• Brand new Raritan ice maker
• New pull down faucet with separate filtered drinking water faucet at galley sink
• New faucet in head sink and new shower head
• New salon stereo and Klipsch speakers.  Stereo also wired to existing galley and flybridge speakers
• New custom upholstery by Robbie Christy (Thunderbolt Marine)
• New screens in salon windows with new insulated cordless blinds and custom curtains
• New Ruggables washable rugs
• All new PVC bead board headliner throughout with new LED lights (easily removeable panels for maintenance access)
• Silver-Silver Chloride Corrosion Reference Electrode to monitor corrosion potential
• Lots of spare bits and parts on board, but my tools don’t convey!

Work done at Hinkley, Newport, RI in 2017

• Both main engines inspected, serviced, and tuned by Caterpillar mechanic
• Flushed transmissions
• Converted stove from LNG to propane
• Added Raymarine 4K radar
• Commissioned all systems replacing a myriad of hoses, pumps, seals, etc.

Work done at Bock Marine, Beaufort, NC in 2018

• Flo Scan digital RPM and fuel flow system (still needs to be calibrated)
• Both shafts pulled and inspected
• Cutlass bearings and motor mounts replaced, dripless shaft seals installed, and laser alignment performed
• Both main engine strainers replaced
• Sandblasted hull to bare metal and ground paint off bulwarks, railings, and crane
• Main engine strainers replaced
• Reverso oil change system installed for mains, gear boxes and generator

Launched in June, 2024

• Performed sea trials and then did a 5 hour delivery to Stuart. The Cats purred and the drivetrain was smooth as silk.  Only issue was an oil seal leaking on the port engine raw water pump.  Pump has been replaced with a new one

Purchase survey from 2017 is available.  Market value was listed as $250,000 before any upgrades.  While the yacht is fully functional and cruise able, due to health issues, several projects remain for the new owners.  The price reflects the projects that still need to be done.  Prospective buyers are certainly welcome to do survey and sea trial, but if you’re the type that plans on using the survey to whittle down the price based on stuff I’ve already told you, we’re probably not going to get along!

1992 44Ft Custom Trawler "Songline". Upon boarding from the stern, you will find a cozy aft deck, perfect for having a cocktail while watching the sunset and grilling your freshly caught fish. Once entering the salon, to port there is a full size couch that also converts into a berth. To starboard are two very comfortable arm chairs with a 32" flat screen TV in between.

Just forward of the couch is what once was a day head. It is now being used as a tool room and pantry storage, but can easily be converted back to a day head.

Moving forward again, the galley area is to port, where you will find a force ten 4 burner propane cook top and oven that is gimbaled. A large refrigerator below the counter, where there are many drawers for storage. Microwave is the pantry. Forward also is a double basin stainless steel sink with storage below. Directly to starboard is a four person settee/dinette, all on a teak and holly floor. Directly to starboard behind the settee is an easily accessible ice machine. Access to the engine room is directly below under the sole. To starboard is the lower helm station, complete with dual engine controls, a 12 in Ray Marine plotter, Icom M330 VHF radio, W-H autopilot, Vetus bow thruster control, and Richey compass. Directly starboard of the helm is a pilot house door, giving access to the starboard side walk around deck. Moving forward down the steps, you will find the ships 12V and 110 service panel. Opposite to the port side, there is a full head and shower. To starboard you will find a two person upper and lower bunk room. Moving forward to the bow you will find a two person V berth. Both state rooms are equipped with more than adequate storage and hanging lockers.

Once back on the aft deck, up the ladder from the cockpit to the bridge, you will find a hydraulic crane and tender cradles. Forward on the bridge you will find the fly bridge helm, engine controls, and Richey compass. There is ample seating on either side. Also, the bridge mast is foldable for anyone wanting to do the Great Loop..

This is the perfect economical," built like a tank", cruising vessel for the islands or the great loop.

Electrical:
Generator: 12KW Northern Lights, 2110hrs

• 3kw Magnum Outback inverter/charger
• Isolation Transformer
• Galvanic Isolators on shore power inlets
• 2- 30Amp shore power cables (one dedicated to aircon)
• 5 NEW Mastervolt 12v 270ah 8D batteries- 1,350 total amp hours (one large combined bank for eng/house)
• 4- 100watt solar panels w/MPPT controller (not installed)

Accommodations:

• Master cabin: Forward with large V berth
• Guest cabin: Starboard with two single bunks, over/under. (The upper bunk has no mattress and is currently used for storage bins)
• Main Salon: Port settee pulls out to 48” wide berth
• Heads: Forward with electric flush and separate shower. Day head in the salon (currently used as a pantry)

Tankage:

• Fuel: 2 x 300gal integral aluminum (freshly steam cleaned, and inspection ports added)
• Water: 2 x 200-gal integral aluminum
• Black: 35gal integral aluminum

SONGLINE is a custom Aluminum trawler with head-turning classic lines. Designed by renowned Naval Architect Charles Wittholz, she was built by metal boat builder Howdy Bailey (Howdy Bailey Yacht Services) in Norfolk, VA. This is truly a unique and extraordinary live-aboard coastal cruising vessel! She is ideal for the Great Loop and the Bahamas!!

Highlights:

The tough, rugged, maintenance-free exterior features a bare aluminum hull with NO exterior wood or stainless steel to polish. The rugged exterior belies her plush, open, airy, designer interior with large opening windows and brand-new custom upholstery. The low-hour, twin 3116 Cats are rugged, reliable, and efficient, with good fuel economy at slower speeds and the ability to sprint at 15kts to make a bridge or beat a storm. Twin screws and a bow thruster make docking a joy, while the Reverso system makes engine, genset, and gearbox oil changes a breeze.

It is safe, comfortable, and secure with expansive, walk-around decks and high bulwarks. The flybridge overhang protects the side decks from above, allowing the sliding salon windows to remain open in light to moderate rain. Easy access/boarding with side gunwale doors, port, and starboard, perfect for floating docks or tender access, and a transom door to the swim platform, which boasts a new aluminum swim ladder w/ 4" wide steps for easy water access (ladder is removable w/ 4 bolts to declutter the transom for northern cruising).

Semi-displacement hull with props in tunnels for a shallow 2' 9" draft. The keel is the lowest point so light groundings are no problem. Great Bahamas boat!

Upper and Lower helms. The open flybridge (just a bimini) is for enjoying the nice weather and gentle breezes, with great visibility for navigating reefs and coral heads. A large awning covers the entire boat deck of the flybridge for lounging and entertaining after the tender is launched. The lower helm is in the main salon, with a sliding door to the stdb. for easy docking/locking.

A large (removable) tender cradle and 1500-lb hydraulic, rotating crane allow for a 14’ Center Console RIB or a 13’ Boston Whaler. The benefits of a large dinghy cannot be overstated.

The cozy aft cockpit is ideal for fishing or lounging under the new canvas awning. It has a large Magma propane grill mounted on the transom with a 20-lb aluminum tank in the locker, new hot/cold spigots for washdowns or showers, and a transom door to the swim platform. A sturdy welded aluminum ladder leads to the flybridge, with a sliding door into the salon.

Salon has a port-side settee with three positions: fully in to maximize floor space, intermediate for lounging, and then pulls out into a 48” wide bunk. To the starboard are two upholstered chairs. The new 32” smart TV has a movable mount (port or stbd side). The New Raritan ice maker is to stbd.

The day head in the salon has been converted to a pantry/tool locker. It also houses a microwave and printer (the printer does not convey). The toilet and sink remain hidden and plumbed so they can quickly be returned to a day head if desired.

Inline galley with 4-burner Force 10 stove with oven to port. 20-lb aluminum propane tank on flybridge. New cabinets installed above the counter to increase storage. The fridge is a 120v Norcold. Dinette to stbd is very comfortable.

Master cabin is forward with overhead opening hatch and opening side ports for great ventilation. It has a large V-berth, which we did not initially want, but have found that with the insert in place, it's a large, comfortable bed.

The head has a Raritan Crown II electric macerating toilet that currently flushes raw water but can easily be converted to fresh water. There is also a separate shower with new showerhead and sink fixtures.

The guest cabin has two single over/under bunks. The lower bunk is spacious and comfortable. The mattress can be removed from the upper berth, and it can be used for storage bins while living aboard. There are storage drawers under the bunk and a cedar-lined hanging locker aft.

• Air conditioning: Two 16K BTU Marine Air split units are functional but should be replaced.
• Galley: The fridge is a 110v Norcold; there is an insulated freezer box with a cold plate under the forward dinette bench seat, but the Grunert compressor has been removed. It is currently used as dry goods storage but could be turned back into a freezer.

Engine hours are as of the date of the original listing and are a representation of what the listing broker is told by the owner and/or actual reading of the engine hour meters. The broker cannot guarantee the true hours. It is the responsibility of the purchaser and/or his agent to verify engine hours, warranties implied or otherwise and major overhauls as well as all other representations noted on the listing brochure.

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.