Custom Steel Expedition Dive Boat Just Listed

Custom Steel Dive Boat 65ft, exclusively for sale with DBY Boat Sales.

MV 'Unknown Pleasures' Expedition Steel Liveaboard with Legendary Gardner Power

There are boats that fit into categories... And then there are vessels like MV Unknown Pleasures; a genuine commercial-grade steel ship, licenced for 28 persons and built for serious use, now reimagined as a remarkably capable liveaboard cruiser and off-grid waterfront retreat.

Originally constructed in the late 1970's at the Brisbane Lloyds shipyard to naval architect John Lund's design, this 65-foot twin-screw steel vessel began life as MV 'Reef Explorer', a private build before later operating commercially as a dive boat out of Cairns. It is understood renowned Australian shark conservation pioneers Ron and Valerie Taylor were part owners, with photographs showing them aboard the dive platform during her North Queensland years. Photographs of her form part of the Valerie Taylor collection held at the Australian Maritime Museum.

Today, 'Unknown Pleasures' offers something exceptionally difficult to replicate in the modern market: a structurally robust, mechanically honest, long-range steel vessel with enormous volume, true commercial DNA, and genuine character.

The current owners purchased her in Hobart in April 2023 and successfully cruised her to Pittwater later that year, where she has since served as a highly capable floating apartment and adventure platform amongst the spectacular waterways of Pittwater, Palm Beach and the Hawkesbury River.

This boat is for technically minded buyers, long-range cruisers, project dreamers, liveaboards, expedition enthusiasts or anyone seeking a unique waterfront lifestyle asset, she represents extraordinary value and possibility

Built Like a Ship, Because She Is One

At approximately 70 tonnes displacement, 'Unknown Pleasures' feels every bit the serious steel vessel she was designed to be. The December 2025 out-of-water insurance survey described the hull and structure as presenting in notably sound condition for her age, with no issues discovered that would jeopardise structural integrity or operational performance.

Highlights from the survey include:

Steel plate hull construction in fair and solid condition
No grounding or impact damage noted
Robust welded keel structure
Heavy-duty rubbing strakes
Secure deck fittings and commercial-style construction throughout
Dry exhaust systems renewed in stainless steel in 2023
Hydraulic steering and anchoring systems
Functional commercial-grade systems and machinery access

Unlike many ageing fiberglass cruisers, this vessel was engineered for commercial realities, accessibility, durability and operational practicality

Gardner 6LX Power - Mechanical Icons

Power comes from twin naturally aspirated Gardner 6LX six-cylinder diesels, legendary British industrial engines revered worldwide for longevity, fuel economy and simplicity.

Counter Rotating crankshafts with 2UC and 3:1 Reduction Gearbox
Estimated engine hours: approx. 15,000
Recent maintenance by Yachtech
Cruise speed: approx. 9 knots
Maximum speed: approx. 10.5 knots
Idle displacement cruise: approx. 5 knots
Fuel consumption: approx. 24L/hr total at cruise including one generator

The 2025 survey described both main engines as: "Excellent examples of the 6LX's", with good access, clean installations, secure plumbing and no operational concerns noted.

For buyers who appreciate old-school mechanical engineering over complex modern electronics, this propulsion package alone will be enormously appealing.

Proper Off-Grid Capability

"Unknown Pleasures" has evolved into a very practical floating home with substantial independent electrical capability.

The vessel currently operates primarily on a 240V liveaboard distribution system and includes:

1.3kW solar array
9.9kWh 48V LiFePO4 battery bank
Full Victron electrical system with remote GPX monitoring
Two three phase generators (Isuzu and Perkins)
3 Phase Hydraulic system for anchoring and deck operations and top level crane

Combined with approximately 7,000L fuel capacity and 2,400L freshwater storage, she offers serious autonomy potential for extended cruising or remote living.

Accommodation & Living Spaces

Internally, the vessel is spacious, practical and unmistakably unique. Accommodation includes:

Private aft owner's cabin with ensuite
Three forward bunk cabins
Additional forward shower and head
Large saloon with full galley
Helm lounge and internal cruising area
Massive covered aft deck with built in original collapsable table from the interior
Expansive upper sun deck
Outdoor thermostatic controlled hot-water shower
Weber Q BBQ area

Rather than pretending to be a modern production yacht, 'Unknown Pleasures' embraces her industrial-commercial roots, and that authenticity is precisely what makes her so appealing. She would suit buyers looking for:

Liveaboard lifestyle
Expedition cruising
Commercial conversion potential
Creative waterfront accommodation
Dive/adventure support vessel
Film or event platform
Unique Airbnb or retreat concept

Important Notes

NSW Registered to December 2026
Out of commercial survey since 2016
Operational and currently in regular private use
Ancient but functional navigation equipment
New autopilot fitted (requires recalibration)
LPG compliance certificate to be confirmed
Buyers should undertake their own due diligence regarding intended operational use

Specifications:

Designer : John Lund
Builder : Lloyds Shipyard, Brisbane

Water (Potable) Capacity (l) : 2400 litres forward tank plus rear tank (decommissioned) for potential further 2,000 litres

Hull Construction Material : Steel
Hull Type : Monohull
Deck Construction Material : Steel decks with non skid paint. Full deck repaint (February 2026)
Country Origin : Australia
Length (feet) : 65 feet
Length (m) : 19.65 m
Beam/Width (m) : 5.5 m
Draft (m) : 1.9 m
Keel/Ballast : Steel keel in welded plate, incorporated in the hull build.
Number of Helms : One

Engine Notes : Gardner - 6 LX 6-cylinder naturally aspirated diesel engines. Keel cooled with dry exhausts. The drive and auxillary engines have good access for service and repairs. Fuel tank gauges.
Number Of Engines : 2
Stroke : 2
Engine Hours : Unknown - estimated 15,000
Horse Power (hp) : 130 each
Drive Type : Shaft drives
Engine Room : Mid Ships
Generator : 4 cylinder diesel Perkins 4kVa 3 phase generator plus smaller Isuzu 3 cylinder cruising diesel 4kVa 3 phase generator.
Number of Batteries : 4 x 200NH House and Starter. New 2 x 12v (series for 24v) Lead Acid starter batteries 200 nh (March 2026) New 2 x 12v (series for 24V) AGM House batteries 160 nh (January 2026). 1300 W solar panel array in three roof mounted commercial panels and Victron solar controller (March 2025).
Fuel Type : Diesel
Number of Fuel Tanks : 4 steel tanks
Fuel Tank Capacity (L) : 7000
Propeller : Handed four blade bronze propellers securely attached with pinned castellated nuts.
Steering System : Hydraulic manual steering system with electric hydraulic pump assist driven by coursemaster auto pilot.

Accommodation Notes : Queen size bed and built in storage in owners suite. External grade sofa in salon. Leather lounge recolour and various varnish work has been undertaken throughout. There is carpet in the upper helm lounge, front lounge, aft and forward cabins and stairs. Full internal paint has been carried out since mid 2025.

Number of Showers : 3
Shower Type : Owners Cabin, aft and shower in the forward plus thermostatically controlled hot water deck shower.
Toilet Type : Jabsco Deluxe Electric Toilet system in each Head with valve controlled discharge into forward and aft blackwater tanks with pipework including deck mounted tank extractor. Point and separate overboard pump for when offshore.
Number of TVs : 43cm smart TV in salon on swivel wall bracket.

Galley Notes : Main Salon includes full kitchen. New water pump. LPG boiler including an electric hot water booster pump. All kitchen cutlery and crockery is included.
Stove : Weber Q BBQ (LPG)
Refrigeration : 108 litres Domestic bar fridge in salon galley and 100 litre box freezer and 650 litre stand up fridge in aft utility room/tool store (all 240V).

Entertainment and Appliances Notes : 43cm smart TV in salon on swivel wall bracket. Playstation 3 and Monitor in helm lounge.

Anchor / Winch : 50kg Galvanised Bruce anchor plus separate back up anchor in the rear lazarette. Three phase electric hydraulic pump system that drives a hydraulic winch and windlass at the bow. The chain runs through the chain gypsy into a dedicated self-flaking anchor locker accessed from the front deck. It is lever operated at the bow externally.

Bilge Pump : New electric bilge system (3 x new bilges 3,400 gph).

Deck Gear : Full rigging replacement for jib crane supports and mounting shackles plus hydraulic winch cable replaced with 4 tonne dyneema rope. New stainless steel swim platform ladder, rubber swim platform pad and swim ladder.

Mast/Rigging : Full rigging replacement for jib crane supports and mounting shackles plus hydraulic winch cable replaced with 4 tonne dyneema rope.

Electrics : 24V House power operating internal lights, toilets, bilge and navigation systems and 48V off grid Victron system managing the 240 V distribution. 3 Phase Generator system powers engine room air and hydraulic systems and electrical generation input to the 48 V system with parallel 48 V solar array input via the Victron Multiplus II. Off Grid rewire was carried out in Sept 2023 with the solar array added in June/July 2025.

Ground Tackle : Approximately 50m of 16mm galvanised chain (1 cubic metre chain locker could accommodate significantly more.

Has Navigation Lights : Yes
Radio : GME G-COM VHF
Number of Life Jackets : 16 x type 100N

Cruising speed : 9 knots