The Achievement Saga

When Bob saw this boat (I should say – when he said he was buying this boat) – I thought he was nuts. That is until I saw it. If there was only one person in the world (other than the man who built her) that would buy this boat, warts, work and all, it would be Bob. Achievement is a 30 year old all steel hull power driven vessel of 80 foot length, almost 20’ beam and draft of 4 ½ feet. She was designed and built by Leon Bibber a naval engineer and genius of Pittsburgh. He kept meticulous records with the details of the planning, drawing and cost to build. She has a machine shop, welding shop, carpentry shop, paint shop and a huge cargo hold; he designed her to carry an automobile from port to port. He was a pioneer in developing the process of welding steel rather than riveting. Achievement’s hull is comprised of welded steel plates. Her bow has been reinforced with cross beams and more.

Sadly Mr. Bibber died in 1977 and never got to travel with her, as had been his dream. She was bought from his estate by Lou Bolea and sat on the Ohio River behind his home, falling into disrepair. Some attempts to bring her into shape only served make her appearance and systems worse. Floors are bare; hull is white, patchy, chalky and peeling; various parts are piled and scattered on deck. The interior shows an attempt at painting that is partially done and scattered everywhere, doors were off, cobwebs and junk everywhere.

Living accommodations are two narrow crew cabins, port and starboard – each with a small corner sink and big opening windows (Lionel and I will call home for the next month or so), a salon we call the “sun room or atrium”, also with opening windows. The windows roll down (as they would in a car, before power windows) using a hand crank that is centered midway between the window and the floor. Outside and aft is the covered poop deck. Outside, forward and slightly elevated is the wheel house which sets above her massive fore deck. Above that and aft is the top deck where the 15’ dinghy is stored. Below the “atrium” down a narrow stairway (about mid-ship) is the big galley with high ceilings, ports and bigger windows at just below ceiling height. The table will seat 6 comfortably and is securely fastened to the deck. The room is surrounded by cabinets and drawers, a full size washer and dryer, double oven and counter top stove. The commercial grade refrigerator/freezer is a cold plate system and one of the largest I’ve ever seen. To the starboard aft off the galley is the main head with full sink/vanity, tub with shower and commode.

Aft of the galley to the port is the doorway to the work shops. Starboard and forward of the galley is the hallway to the guest and captain quarters. Both have walk around berths and lots of drawers and nice sized hanging lockers. They also have ports (fixed) and each has an opening hatch. The captain quarters fill the entire bow. Both cabins have sinks and commodes (no privacy from the rest of the cabin), but I would guess will be convenient for the occupants. On this journey Patrick and Victor will settle in the guest cabin, with Bob, the captain in the Captain’s Cabin.

When we got word that he was ready to make the trip to Pittsburgh to get Achievement ready for her trip home, it was a mad whirlwind for us to get prepared to go. At this time in our lives it was the worst and also the best time to have this opportunity of a lifetime. What an adventure. We put our lives on hold and much to our kids dismay, decided to leave, not spending Christmas with them and leaving our kitties at home in the care of our neighbor for however long this journey would take us. (Actually the kids understood completely).