SSS POINT WEBER
She's an 82 foot "Point" class Coast Guard patrol boat. This particular vessel was built by the Coast Guard specifically for the U.S. Navy. The Navy used her as a firing range vessel on the west coast. The boat would patrol a firing range at sea to keep boaters out of harm's way while the navy tested various weapons. After the testing was complete, the vessel would retrieve any expended weapons still floating with a Sea Crane mounted on her stern.
The Navy got some very good use out of her before they upgraded to a newer and faster vessel. They then placed this one into their surplus equipment system. That's where we found her, and that's where we put her back into working order before cruising her to Stockton.
We felt that this type of vessel would make an excellent coastal, bay, and delta boat. She really is excellent for getting into those hard to reach delta shallows, maneuvers easily throughout the delta and bays, in all weather conditions, and performs nicely in coastal water. This allows us the ability to cover all types of training and gives us a wide variety cruising opportunities.
Vessel Specifications
Built in 1962 at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Md.
Original price tag - $1.5 million
Hull |
Logistics |
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Hull Number |
C1908 |
Fuel Capacity |
1840 gal. @ 95% |
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Displacement (tons) |
69 (fl) 60 (lt) |
Compliment (1960) |
8 Crew / 2 Officers |
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Length |
82 ft 10 in(O/L) 78 ft (W/L) |
Compliment (today) |
17 Crew / 6 Officers |
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Beam |
17 ft 7 in (max) |
Fresh Water Storage |
1100 gals |
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Draft |
5 ft 11in (max) |
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Machinery |
Performance |
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Main Engines |
Twin 1710 Cummins |
Maximum Speed |
22.9 Knots |
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Horsepower |
1600 |
Max Sustained Speed |
18.0 Knots |
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Generators |
2 GE 2-71 Diesels |
Cruise Speed |
10.7 Knots |
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Propellers |
Twin 42 in. |
Maximum Range |
3000 @ 9.4 Knots | |||
The Bridge
The Bridge of this vessel has some good points and some limitations. One of the good points about it is that it's located very high up from the waterline. This allows for good visibility while cruising and maneuvering the boat.Our vessel is equiped with a navigation computer with chart plotting software and a GPS navigation system. We also have redundant comunication equipment with VHF, SSB, CB radios, depth and navigation monitoring systems and radar. We will soon be upgrading to an AARPA radar system to replace the old radar.
One of the drawbacks is that it's small. We can't fit very many people up there at one time. This presents challenges to our ability to teach navigation skills to larger groups of Scouts while under way. We are pretty much limited to one-on-one training in this area. That's one of our most important areas of instruction in Sea Scouting, and one-on-one may be the best for each Scout in the long run. Plans are in the works to expand the bridge area to allow for more training.
The Main Deck
The main deck is an area of the boat with ample room for many activities. The sea crane is mounted on the stern of the main deck. The crane has many useful applications. We have used it to help in service projects repairing docks, retrieving debris from delta waterways during cleanup projects, and helping in the repair of other Sea Scout vessels. Probably it's most important use is launching and retrieving out tender. The tender sets on a cradle in the middle of the main deck. We use this tender for going ashore while we are anchored out, short trips for supplies while out on cruises, getting into water too shallow for the Point Weber, and for many training exercise. The crane also makes a pretty nice rope swing during swim call.
Engine Room
The engine room is one of the great aspects of our vessel. With enough room to house all the equipment, there is also ample room to work. This provides us with the opportunity to train the scouts in the maintenance and operation of the equipment. Valuable skills are learned in diesel engine mechanics and maintenance, hydraulics, and electrics. The engine room houses the two 1710 Cummins main engines, transmissions, the two Detroit 2-71 generators, all the main electrical systems, fire protection systems, and workshop area for repair work. The hydraulic system for steering the vessel and starting the main engines is in the lazarette, a small compartment below the main deck at the stern of the boat.When the boat was brought into the Sea Scout program, both main engines were rebuilt with the latest modifications on the heads and liners and the old Capitol transmissions were replaced with new ZF gears. Both Detroit generators were also rebuilt.
Mess Deck & Galley
This area provides it's own unique set of challenges, with the boat originally designed for a crew of 6 and 2 officers, there are limitations to the number of individuals who can work in the galley and the number who can eat at the tables. The galley is pretty much limited to one cook. We usually have one other scout serving the mess because there is not room for everyone to move around and serve themselves. The mess decks consists of two fixed tables. In order sit behind the tables, one must enter them from between the two. This creates a rather "cozy" atmosphere and often provides for training in the area of cooperation and courtesy. With a full compliment of Crew and Officers, it means we sometimes eat meals in two or more seatings.We recently replaced the stove/oven and refrigerator, thanks to Sears, and have a chest freezer. This has given us more storage room for perishables and the dry stores area provides storage for dry goods, cookware, and supplies. With a little planning and ingenuity, enough supplies for a two week cruise can be stored.
There are also two bunks on the port side of the mess deck, usually used by officers or the galley crew. The mess deck also doubles as social quarters between meals and has a VCR, DVD/CD, and stereo.
Officer's Quarters
There are four bunks for officers, a head, and a small desk for ship's business. These are comfortable digs for the officers on board with a TV and VCR and a place to conduct the nessesary business of the ship while cruising, and storage for important documents and records, first aid supplies, and safety equipment.Crew's Quarters
We have two separate crew's quarters. The forward crew's quarters has sis bunks and lockers for the crew to store thier gear. This is usually reserved for the Junior Officers and senior scouts. The main head is just forward of these quarters with a shower and plenty of room for personal hygene. Very important on long cruises!The aft crew's quarters has 11 bunks and is located aft of the engine room, accessed from a hatch on the main deck.