PV Pseudemys (former Madam Jade), Australia

[Roderick Smith]

There are several references scattered in various threads.  I can't find where I posted a photo, and am reposting it.
Member Mike Smith has discovered that the boat has been sold, and refitted as a luxury cruising houseboat, and is for sale.

PV Pseudemys was formally PV Madam Jade, built by Leon and Kath Bentley at Morgan.  It was used as a travelling bric a brac shop.  My photo was taken at Mildura, but most of the time the vessel was in SA.  When Leon died, the boat was kept at a wharf at Murray Bridge, and was offered for sale.  I did inspect it, but it was far too large for me.  The shop occupied the upper deck; the living was on the main deck.  The lower deck housed an engineering workshop.  The wharf was condemned; the boat was shifted to a different wharf (still at Murray Bridge).  AFAIK a crew had to be hired for the move.

The boat was sold a couple of years ago, and the current owners have given it an extensive refit.  It is now for sale again.
<www.houseboatsales.com.au/Client/boat_detail.php?boat_id=160>
I have grabbed all the thumbnails as a pdf, but it is 1.5 MB and I won't be posting it.
Enclosed: my photo at Mildura, and the plan from the current sale brochure.  Two Queen-size beds in one large bedroom seems a bit kinky.  Cruise with a menage a quatre (but I always thought that the earlier name matched a floating brothel)?

Roderick B Smith
Rail News Victoria Editor

[derekwarner_decoy]

Thanks Roderick....would make for a nice weekender boat............. ..,..Derek

[James.McD]

There is only one (rumoured) problem with the boat - seriously underpowered, several instances when I was cruising between Mannum and Murray Bridge on the Murray Princess - the Pseudemys could be seen fighting the wind, also being very top heavy!

I must admit though, the interior of the vessel looks great now, compared to what it was last time I saw the inside

[Bear]

Hi Guys had a opportunity to see this boat in action last weekend found out a few things it has a brand new Perkins diesel which replaced the old Dorman after cruising at 13kph upstream it was noted that of the 3000rpm available the revs are set at 1800rpm which then powers the hydraulics which again were not fully opened up (they operate like a skid steer bobcat) it still had a couple of notches to go
the hull is very wide and flat (only draws 600mm) so the appearance of being top heavy is simply because it has not got the traditional look of a paddle boat (wide ,thin ,tiny) 
it is one of the few boats that i can walk around the engine room standing up (i am 6'2") and has lots of room
Having seen first hand how it handles i was very impressed because of its hydraulics it can turn in its own length, the paddles can run in opposition to each other
As for James comment from the Princess, Most people i know get out of the princesses way, specially in a wind there are a number of trees and cliffs up and down that didn't move quick enough   

[James.McD]

The current owner is working on the Murray Princess now and as for his Pseudemys, it is for sale apparently. Couldn't tell you how much or how to find out any information. He plans on selling this one and starting another.