This is a unique day tourist vessel that can be modified to carry out a great range of activities from sightseeing, wildlife watching through to coffee and dinner cruises.

Owners would like to highlight the flexibility of this unique vessel.  She is a low draft vessel combined with a low air draft, making her exceptionally useful for river cruising where there are low bridges and shallow channels.  In addition, because of her beam she is an excellent sea boat and the Owners have used her in the open waters of Port Phillip Bay where beam seas would make the ride uncomfortable on many vessels. The vessel is not equipped with a fixed galley as this would take up space which is better used for passengers.  When used for catered functions it is easy to set up temporary catering facilities.  Owner feels that the flexibility that the vessel offers will make her a very useful addition to any tourist fleet.

 

Potential buyers should note that due to her seakeeping capabilities she could be relocated to anywhere in Australia on her own bottom with a possibility that she could sail to New Zealand.

 

Built: Launceston, December 1986

Material: Aluminium hull, water ballast tanks

Length: 20 metres

LOA: 21 metres

Beam: 6.6 metres

Draft: 1.2 metres

Speed (max): 10 knots

Speed (cruise): 7.5 knots

Displacement: 40 tons

Designed by John Hunter

Facilities: Tables, hot water urn, 240V diesel generator, bar, P.A. sound system, 2 wash rooms, 4 toilets.

Capacity: Licensed to carry 200 passengers. 150 undercovers. 130 social functions. 70 sit down meal.

Engine: Cummins 6bt Hydraulic drive.

Survey: 1E 200 pax 4 crew. up to 60 pax 2 crew. up to 130 3 crew.

Built to 1D survey

Cummins 6bt diesel with robust hydraulic stern drive

Kabota 16 kva genset

24-inch bronze propeller

Safety Equipment as per AMSA survey requirements

John Hunter Design purpose built.

Fuel Tank 2000 litres

Fresh Water ballast tanks

Trestle tables and moveable seating

Operating in 1E Survey. Built to 1D Survey.

 

Features large upper observation deck to seat up to 100 pax.  Aft deck under cover. large lounge with a Bar and moveable tables and seating. Male and Female toilets 2 x each. Separate Pilot house Fwd.  Suitable for private functions for up to150 passengers.

Low bridge clearance, Boarding to upper or lower decks.

 

 

I would like to emphasise the versatility of this craft as it is not purely a function vessel. It doubles as a tourist sightseeing vessel or to transfer large numbers under 

low bridges.  The sightseeing /educational nature is usually active Monday to Friday with occasional private functions for all occasions, weekends and at night.

We have adjusted the price for the John Batman to $580,000.

The vessel has been laid up since a downturn in the tourist industry combined with personal reasons.

The 5 year survey is in progress – with only the Lightship survey not yet completed.

 

They further comment:

Structurally and operationally she is in great working and running  order; we slipped her at Queenscliff 6 or so months ago [note: approx. December 2023] (she travels 4 hrs each way ) and our regular engineer has worked extensively on her. 

She is run up each week when checked.

Cosmetically she’s ready for a new look – we purposely have not painted or altered the look – believing that a new owner would like to create their own custom look. The John Batman is not only an exceptional people mover but with a lick of paint, can and will certainly impress!