1938 65' Chesapeake Bay Buyboat "Choptank"

This vessel is a 65' custom-design, custom-build Chesapeake Bay Oyster buyboat. Choptank’s draft ranges from 5' to 5' 6".

The vessel was designed and built by O.W. Payne in 1938 as the Julian and served as a working buyboat for decades. The vessel was later renamed Callis Brothers and Crow Brothers II when serving in the Maryland oyster replanting trade. It is laid out in the classic buyboat or deckboat fashion, with cabin aft over the mechanical space and open deck forward.

The vessel underwent an extensive rebuild from 2011 to 2019. Construction is heavy timber pine and fir over cedar and oak frames. The vessel was extensively replanked with all new running gear installed. A new pilothouse was constructed and all new wiring and plumbing, seacocks and systems were installed. New propulsion machinery and generator were installed. The midships hold was converted to cabin space. The vessel is powered by a single, six cylinder, turbocharged Cummins marine diesel inboard rated at 410hp. The vessel also has an Onan 13.5KW diesel ships generator plant for 110volt/12volt systems.

Much custom woodwork and hardware have been contracted to make the vessel period correct in every detail and still bring it up to modern operational standards. The vessel was rebuilt using the best materials and techniques, as applied by experienced and knowledgeable local shipwrights. The vessel has had little use since its re-build.

VESSEL CONSTRUCTION AND LAYOUT

The hull and decks are oak framed, measuring 3″x8″ with heavier timbers at the keelson. The hull is longitudinal planked with pine and fir with a nominal dimension of 2.5″x6″. Deck carlins/floor timbers and frames are sawn with pine decking over. Bulkheads are framed with plywood over all interior and exterior surfaces. All below-waterline thru-hull fittings, exhaust ports are marine-approved fittings with proper clamping. The engine drive train has 3” SS prop shaft with 5-blade bronze propeller and SS/bronze running gear. Single rudder supported by full shoe with hydraulic steering. Cabin hatches are custom curved framed pine with period hardware. Custom pilothouse and curved windows are also constructed of heavy pine and fir. The vessel has a full custom galley and dinette aft with enclosed head.

The interior is finished out with pine and custom wood trim throughout with satin finishes. Corian counters. Custom-lined overheads and cabin soles are hardwood. The interior is unfinished and requires buildout. The layout of this 65′ Chesapeake buyboat is as follows; large open foredeck with foc’s’le entrance forward. Large weather hatch covering the cargo hold midships and forward. Large pilothouse/galley/salon aft of midships with steering station, galley aft with dinette and head and shower aft. Access is by side doors at the pilothouse or aft in the cabin at the stern. Down in the cargo hold midships is un-finished with equipment storage and forward watertight bulkhead. Aft under the pilothouse is the engine room and machinery space. Aft of the engine room is a small lazarette/steering room with watertight bulkhead.

MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT

Garmin 7412 GPS/Plotter/Radar, Garmin autopilot, Bow thruster, Hydraulic full follow up steering, Mastervolt 3500 watt Inverter charger, Mastervolt 40 amp battery charger, Stereo system, Rayline spotlight, Electronic engine controls.

Contact CBMM’s Boat Donation Program team at boatdonation@cbmm.org or 410-310-5103 with any questions, or to arrange a visit to see what makes this historic buyboat so special. Every sale through CBMM's Charity Boat Donation Program benefits our mission of preservation and exploration.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRitOQI51jo