Shetland Kestrel 2-berth Cabin Cruiser Project

Re-advertised from last week. I had this boat on here last week until I discovered a problem with the engine so felt I had to take the ad down to investigate further as I want to be 100% honest with people regarding the vessel.It turns out that whilst the tilt and trim works perfectly and the engine turns over, the prop is seized due to the boat been sitting too long. A mechanic friend reckons the splines that connect the prop to the gearbox have rusted together and only a complete strip down will reveal the extent of the damage. It may be repairable or it may be a gearbox transplant that is needed. I also discovered a puddle of water in the cabin after a heavy downpour.
This is due to the sealant on one of the windows needing replaced. An easy fix that can be done over a couple of hours. I had the boat up with a reserve of £4000 and have now halved that. It won’t be advertised elsewhere and the auction will run to the end. If it goes for the reserve then someone is getting a bargain.
What it makes is what I’ll take as I just don’t have the time to sort out these issues and it’s taking up too much space on our driveway. Please remember the boat is now being sold as a project and not yet seaworthy. You are bidding to buy so if you win the auction, it’s yours. 1985 Shetland Kestrel, two berth cabin cruiser (Date is approximate, could be a couple of years either side of that, I’m not 100% sure) designed for use in both coastal and inland waters. Navigation lights with ”At anchor” light on an over the cabin-height pole, depth sounder, compass and VHF radio installed.
To be honest I’m not entirely sure if these all still work as the boat’s been out of the water for about 2-years or so. I do know the ariel for the VHF is missing! The Cabin has bench seating and table convertible to V-shaped double bed, also sink, cooker and store cupboard. Cabin light with 12v outlet in cabin and all connected to 2x 12 volt batteries. The exterior cabin has seating for four to six people and the pilot sits in a high chair giving a commanding view of the course ahead.
The engine is a 55hp Suzuki auto lube with power tilt and trim. There are two fuel tanks that are pretty full but I don’t know if the fuel in them is still serviceable as they also have been sat a while. Prop has a couple of light scratches but is otherwise decent. There is also a spring loaded transom to hold a smaller, back up engine. Please note that the 10hp Mariner Donkey Engine in the photos is NOT included in the sale and neither is the trailer board.
If you come to collect the boat you will need an extra-long trailer board to reach the transom. Approx 18ft. The trailer has two brand new tyres that have covered less than 100-miles. The braking system has been disconnected due to seized cables (It was like this when I bought it) and tows really well with a decent vehicle. I recently brought it from Argyle to Glasgow and it tows arrow straight.
The boat is really well placed on the fulcrum point of the trailer and it is possible to lift the hitch onto the ball with just one hand. I would however recommend, for safety reasons, putting some weight (Luggage, anchor etc) in the nose of the boat before traveling to make the front slightly heavier. The boat is 17ft 6in in the water and is around 20ft from tow-hitch to prop when on the trailer. She is about 6ft 5in wide There are two covers with the boat. There is a mooring/towing canopy and a Bimini (Pram Hood) Canopy for at anchor or whilst cruising with the sides off.
You can see all options in the photos. Or you can sail her open topped for when the sun shines. I bought this boat about 3-years ago with the intention of sailing over to Lochgilphead with my family and spending a week or so cruising the Crinan Canal then going over to tour round Jura and Islay etc, then! Covid hit! So that plan was shelved.
Since buying her I’ve only had the chance to get her in the water three times due to my job (I’m a long distance lorry driver) so it’s been sitting at our caravan near Loch Fyne doing nothing for far too long. Put simply she’s too big for our needs now so looking to downsize to something more manageable with regards to launching, having a day on the water then recovering etc. I intended to get the hull below the waterline pained with black anti-fouling paint, get the rest of her painted white and to renew the polycarbonate cabin windows with black ones and then get the interior refurbed with black material with white piping around them. This, in my opinion, would bring her more up to date with modern craft and make her a lot smarter looking than the current 80’s look she has at the moment but! Like I said, time is not on my side so this never got done.
The interior is pretty dated and drab at the moment and some of the windows have a crackled effect but you need to remember she is a 1980s craft. The boat is situated not far from Glasgow airport and can be viewed with plenty of notice to ensure I’ll be home. I’m trying to be as honest as I can with the description and photos etc so make sure you study them before bidding. Thanks for looking.