BULLETIN!! HUCK FINN FOR SALE.

Sadly, Captain Brion is ready to turn over the HUCK FINN to its next lucky owner. This is a one of a kind boat custom designed and built by master boat builder David Westphal in Key Largo in 1996. She is all heavy hand laid fiberglass construction, with an extremely solid and reinforced hull. Overbuilt by commercial standards. I have personally logged over 4,000 miles on the HUCK with no injuries to boat or crew.

A detailed history of many of this boats travels is chronicalled on this blog--if one navigates through the archives, you will see many photos and read about HUCK's adventures from Florida to Minnesota, then back to Kentucky.

Her inventory is extensive. Essentially she is a totally self-contained liveaboard, with emphasis on safety and economy of operation.

Where else on a 26' vessel will you find a full size shower with 9' feet of headroom? Here is a view looking up toward the nozzle. 100 gallons of fresh water provides for days (or weeks) of basic water needs.

The galley is fully equipped with a 3 burner stove top and full sized oven. It is propane fuelled with a safety sniifer system installed. There is also a propane fuelled cabin heater for more northern grounds. Also in the galley is a double basin stainless sink, microwave, lots of storage and counterspace. Opposit the galley is a freshwater flush head with an odorless holding tank and Y-valve for discharge/pumpout options.

A sizeable pantry is loaded with shelves and cupboard spaces for lots of food storage. A 2/3 size fridge runs economically off the on-board 2,000 watt inverter, which is powered by 2 dedicated group 27 deep cycle batteries.

There is a 6'+ single bunk in the pilothouse, converting to a settee in daytime. A 2-person settee is opposite this bunk, and 2 removable tables provide a base for meals, carts, laptop, etc.




The pilothouse area is raise above the lower galley and forward bunks, providing good visibility from the helm seat. Navigation equipment is complete, with GPS, Depth, VHF, Radar, remote operated searchlight, LOUD air horn and Autopilot.

Windshield windows open for ventilation and improved visibility.

For entertainment, there is an AM/FM/CD player, and a Karaoke system which I enjoy when no one else is on board!

Steering is hydraulic. Power is provided by a Perkins 3 cylinder diesel, running like brand new and still not even burning oil. It has never failed to start immediately. For backup, there is a new (less than 20 hours use) Mercury 4-stroke outboard 6HP motor. It will help get you into safe water, if the diesel should ever fail, or the main prop gets fouled, etc.

The boat interior is finished completely in knotty pine solid wood and toung and groove panelling. The boat carries 1300 lbs. of ballast below the water line, giving it exceptional stability in rough water. It has withstood some vicious wakes and took me safely across the Gulf of Mexico from Tarpon Springs to Appalachicola. HOWEVER, and PLEASE NOTE: This boat is neither designed for nor intended for extensive off shore cruising. Any ventures off shore must be undertaken with careful route planning and provisions for local weather conditions.


The HUCK has a 3-stage smart charger for shore power, and the inverter will run all systems on board except the 12,000BTU A/C or the hot water heater. Hot water is created automatically through the engine coolant system after about 1 hour of run time.

The forward bunk area has two large single bunks (6'+X 26"+) that can be joined with an insert to make a very comfortable nearly Queen size bunk. The conversion is quick and easy. All cushions are new less than 2 years ago.

The comfort and the amenities on this boat exceed any I know of on a 26 footer. More important, the construction and the on board eqipment are high quality and everything is in good working condition.

If you're not yet impressed, the HUCK cruises conservatively at 5mph at a rate of 3/4 gal. per hour fuel consumption. You can bump it up to 6 mph at about 1 gal. per hour consumption.




The price for now is $26,000 and firm. If the boat has not sold after several months, I may consider reductions at that time. Regards, Captain Brion
brionkerlin@yahoo.com 727-656-0700