Auktion: 1966 Bridge Erection Boat D27

Bridge Erection Boat D27 now in the online auction. everyone can bid until 24 August 2026.


Unique Bridge Erection Boat D27Anyone looking for a special boat with a story will quickly end up with this 1966 Bridge Erection Boat D27. She was built for a task you don’t come across every day: supporting pontoon bridges and bridge sections, as was done by the U.S. Army during the Cold War era. Today, the boat is mainly interesting as a rugged leisure craft, as floating military heritage, or as a striking addition to a collection of special vehicles. With her aluminium hull, flat bottom and twin rudders, she has a distinctive character on the water, and thanks to her compact dimensions—8.50 metres long and 2.50 metres wide—she fits in many berths.

The Bridge Erection Boat is designed for inland waters and feels at home on canals and ditches, lakes, ponds and rivers. Her draft of approx. 1.00 metre and air draft of about 1.30 metres make her suitable for many Dutch cruising areas. Steering is done with a wheel from an outside position, which suits the workboat DNA of this model. Everything about her breathes functionality, and that is exactly what makes her so appealing to enthusiasts who want something other than a standard sloop.

Bridge Erection Boat D27 now in the online auction. Anyone can bid up to and including 24 August 2026.What makes this Bridge Erection Boat so special?This D27 is not an everyday sight. She is a military workboat with a recognisable look and engineering that appeals to enthusiasts. Under the engine cover are two Detroit Diesel inboard engines, each 100 hp with three cylinders. That twin-engine setup not only gives her power, but also the typical feel of a true workboat. The stated cruising speed is around 8 km/h and the top speed around 25 km/h, allowing for both relaxed cruising and brisk passages when you want.

How is she equipped technically and what has been renewed?According to the consignor’s information, the engines have been fully overhauled and a lot of attention has been paid to engineering and finish. The hull has been sandblasted and rebuilt with a two-component primer and paint system. The electrical installation has also been updated with new wiring. In addition, fluid and fuel hoses have been replaced. On board you will find, among other things, an alternator, voltmeter and a 24V system with four batteries. For navigation and engine monitoring, instruments are present such as a fuel tank gauge, oil pressure gauge, temperature gauge and tachometer. She also features an electrically operated bilge pump and an anchor with chain.

Is this boat suitable for leisure cruising and trips?Yes, this Bridge Erection Boat has been used for leisure cruising, making her more than just a museum piece. Her flat bottom makes her practical on sheltered inland waters, and manoeuvring with two engines is an experience in itself. Anyone who enjoys boating with a tough, industrial look and appreciates engineering will find this aluminium workboat a striking alternative to a classic motorboat. If you like mooring at events, harbour days or enthusiast gatherings, she is a boat that starts conversations.

What documentation is available?A complete Bridge Erection Boat manual is included with the boat. This is valuable for buyers who appreciate background information, operating instructions and technical data. Especially with a military-type boat and a model you don’t see on every dock, documentation is an important plus.

When was she last taken out of the water?The boat was last taken out of the water for maintenance in 2026. This indicates that attention has been paid to her condition recently and that she has not been left untouched for years.

This Bridge Erection Boat D27 combines a rare origin with powerful twin-engine propulsion and a look that cannot be replicated. For anyone searching terms such as Bridge Erection Boat for sale, military boat, aluminium workboat, Detroit Diesel motorboat or unique inland motorboat, this is a lot worth taking a close look at. She is ready to make stories again—this time not in service of an army, but in the hands of an enthusiast who truly appreciates her character.