1905 Other 28' Launch by Toppan Boat Manufacturer Co Launches for Sale

AMANTE - 1905 28' WOOD LAUNCH STYLE BOAT This launch, Amante, was built by Toppan Boat Manufacturer Co, restored in the 20’s by Dauntless Essex, CT again in the 50’s-60’s by Alexander Stein Byram Shore Byram, CT. and again in 1996-1998 by Lee Heinzman and Roger Benson of Milford, CT who spent an estimated 3,000 hours on restoration. We have not been able to determine the exact year it was built, but a docent at Mystic Seaport, CT thought it likely to be from the naphtha era, roughly from 1895 to 1910-s. A pleasant surprise was finding 3 Indian Head pennies dated 1905 under the bitt. A fourth coin was added in 2024 with the present restoration to continue ensuring safe passage. It is believed that it originally was steam or naphtha powered. At some point it was converted to gas. Under the prior ownership extensive restoration was completed. The entire keel, ribs, decking, wiring, engine, canopy and numerous items were repaired or replaced. Every effort was made to make period accurate repair or replacement, even to casting bronze parts. There are logs and pictures of this process. The vessel has been stored indoors off season and requires little attention in summer. Under current ownership the vessel was converted to electric power replacing the failed gas engine. Custom mounts and chain drive connects the electric motor to the somewhat noisy original drive shaft and propeller. The power comes from an ELCO 20 HP electric motor, 4 HC02 batteries, a 48 V NPP 1200 charger and a battery equalizer. The whole system has less than 20 hours use. A custom mooring cover was added in 2024 that covers the cockpit and deck. There is a custom trailer that fits the boat perfectly. No brakes. The boat swells quickly and the main pump cycles only infrequently. It has a standby pump that has not been needed. The electric motor system is fully functional. The boat is a fabulous piece of history. Maintenance is up to date. The new captain will need to be someone who can maintain and handle this unique single screw vessel.