Motor Yachts

1938 Custom Chesapeake Bay Buyboat

“Choptank”

Saint Michaels, Maryland, United States

$300,000

Specifications

Year

1938

Length

65'

Beam

18'

Draft

Cabins

Heads

Sleeps

Max Speed

9 kts

Cruise Speed

7 kts

Hull

Wood

Fuel Type

Diesel

Engines

Make	Model	Power	Fuel	Year	Hours
Cummins	QSL9410MDIKC	— HP	Diesel	—	442.00

Broker Overview

This 1938 65-foot Chesapeake Bay Buyboat, 'Choptank,' represents a unique opportunity for a discerning buyer. She is a vessel with significant historical provenance, having been designed and built by O.W. Payne. What truly sets her apart is the extensive and high-quality rebuild she underwent from 2011 to recent, managed by the skilled shipwrights of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. This was not a superficial refresh; it included major structural work such as extensive re-planking, new running gear, a modern Cummins 410 HP main engine, a new Onan 21.5 kW generator, and complete overhauls of wiring, plumbing, seacocks, and other critical systems. A new pilothouse was also constructed. The current stage of completion offers a distinct advantage: the cargo holds have been converted into unfinished staterooms, allowing the new owner to customize the interior layout and finish to their precise specifications, whether for commercial use with a COI or as a private pleasure yacht. This flexibility is a key selling point. While the project requires final fit-out, the heavy lifting of structural integrity and core systems has been professionally addressed, mitigating significant upfront risks often associated with historic restorations. This is a rare chance to acquire a piece of maritime history with modern reliability and the freedom to create your ideal vessel.

Why This Boat Stands Out

Historic 1938 Chesapeake Bay Buyboat design.

Extensive, high-quality rebuild by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum shipwrights.

New Cummins main engine, Onan generator, and all major systems updated.

Unfinished interior allows for complete customization by new owner.

Ideal For

LiveaboardLong-Range CruisingCoastal CruisingUnique Charter

Expert Review

The 'Choptank' offers a compelling proposition for those seeking a historically significant vessel with modern mechanicals. The build quality, particularly the recent structural and systems overhaul by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, instills confidence. This isn't a project boat in the traditional sense; the major, costly work has been completed. Sea-keeping for these traditional Buyboats is generally robust, designed for working the often-challenging waters of the Chesapeake. The value for money at $300,000 is strong, considering the investment already made in the rebuild and the unique nature of the vessel. During a survey, focus should be on the quality of the recent planking work, ensuring proper fastening and fairing, and a thorough inspection of the new engine, generator, and associated systems. While the interior is unfinished, confirming the structural integrity of the converted cargo holds is important. Comparable alternatives would be other traditional workboats undergoing similar restorations, but few offer this level of documented professional rebuild and the flexibility for final fit-out.

Owner Sentiment

Very Good

Owners of traditional Buyboats appreciate their robust construction, spaciousness, and unique character, often embracing the ongoing maintenance typical of wooden vessels.

Strengths

Exceptional stability and seaworthiness.Spacious interior volume for customization.Unique historical appeal and character.Relatively efficient hull design for displacement speeds.

Considerations

Ongoing maintenance demands of a wooden hull.Requires significant investment for interior completion.Slower cruising speeds compared to modern planing hulls.

Full Listing Description

Choptank is for sale! She is a 1938 65' O.W. Payne designed and built Chesapeake Bay Buyboat. Choptank underwent a major rebuild from 2011 to recent and has been maintained since by the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's experienced and knowledgeable local shipwrights. The museum stopped the rebuild at the point where she can be completed as a commercial vessel with a COI or as a pleasure vessel. You could hire the museum to complete the project or complete her elsewhere or by yourself to your final design and specs.

The rebuild included extensive re-planking, new running gear, new Cummins 410 HP main engine, new Onan 21.5 kW generator, all new wiring, plumbing, seacocks and systems and a new pilothouse constructed. Her cargo holds were converted into unfinished staterooms, so that the final fit out can be chosen by her new owner.

This is one of those rare once in a lifetime opportunities to own a historic and unique vessel!

Yacht Access is pleased to assist you in the purchase of this vessel. This boat is centrally listed by Curtis Stokes & Associates. It is offered as a convenience by this broker/dealer to its clients and is not intended to convey direct representation of a particular vessel

Notable Upgrades

Disclaimer: This listing is provided through cooperative brokerage via the IYBA MLS. The listing broker is Curtis Stokes & Associates (Curtis Stokes). Yacht Access is acting as a buyer's broker and can assist you with this purchase.