Dowty Turbocraft Jetboat Jet Boat Retro Classic Project Barn Find v6 Essex 3.0l

Hello and welcome to our auction. We are having a clear out of projects and redundant items / vehicles. We are listing this as a project as it’s in need of some work, although not a basket case, it’s not a buy and use boat. Offered for sale is my fathers 1960’s jet boat. This is a speed boat / power boat and is a historic ‘Dowty Turbocraft’... This a VERY rare vessel and is a sought after classic boat.

We are hopeful that serious buyers will know a lot about these. This is sold as a project... following the sobering realisation my father is very unlikely to ever complete the work required to recommission, and the reality he won’t use it again. . My father has owned this boat since (from memory) 1995/6 ish, we spent a good portion of our childhood on costal trips and spent many hours on, or behind (on toys) this boat. Up to around 2003 it was used maybe a handful of times a year and maintained to suit, winterised and really looked after. As we grew up it got used less and dad reverted back to his fishing boat for the next few years.

In 2011 I personally had a pretty modern wakeboard boat and kept it moored on the water so it was easier for my father to use mine than this. So this Dowty Turbocraft has been sat unused for at least 12 years, but more likely 15-18 years. However it was periodically turned over and started up to we think around 2012. Things to note: Owned for around 25 years.Lots of history, owners manual, price list (very expensive boat in their day, hence they are very rare).Was running perfectly and was sea worthy when parked up around 2005-8... certainly not the case now though. Fibreglass hull, very light weight.

Looks solid and has no reportable structural damage. Will have age / use related scuffs and marks. Paint not the best. Set of seats were fitted, not awful condition but not original. Ford / Essex v6 petrol engine, still turns over with a wrench on the crank, so not seized.

Spare Essex v6 motor included. Trailer is untested, it’s been sat a long time and has some rusted holes in, one under the hitch, and some at the rear. It may be solid enough to tow but we certainly wouldn’t confirm or advise. Have put a used set of tires on the trailer as the ones on there were shot. So the boat and trailer is moveable and can be towed to the road for the buyer to load.

Bearings are actually ok to. We cannot take responsibility for the trailers road worthiness. I have contacted a local recovery firm and they are able to deliver at £1 per mile each way at the buyers cost. If I’m honest I’m probably being over critical but I simply do not have the time to waste with buyers coming and being disappointed, so I’ll be very honest and you know exactly what your getting. Covid compliant viewings are welcomed, with notice, but due to my fathers age, I will conduct any viewings and or sales.

Please fully read and digest the whole advert and study the photos in detail before asking questions. We do not have a set buy it now, mostly based on the fact we are not 100% sure on value... Looking at the market we are confident it will command a fair price, the starting bid is at 500 on a no reserve auction. However due to the unbelievable amount of time wasters I have experienced on classifieds board the last few weeks, feel free to make an offer, if it’s enough to raise my eyebrow, I will add a buy now for you to keep inline with classifieds board. We WILL NOT accept offers at the starting price... if an offer doesn’t come in to temp us, we will leave auction running. Time is precious so please only enquire with serious questions and offers.

We will only entertain serious conversations and viewings, and will not be accepting px. Uk bidders only with 10 plus feedback, if you bid without this I will remove those bids. You are bidding to buy, not to view. All usual classifieds board rules and regs apply. A non refundable deposit of £500 is required within 2 hours of auction end, along with contact details please.

Thereafter, bank transfer with cleared funds on collection or cash is ok but not preferred. We want to stay away from PayPal due to the fees.