HISTORY & DESCRIPTION:
In the early 1960’s William Osborne (junior) introduced a series of three hard chine motor cruisers, the Swift, Kestrel & Osprey. The Kestrel proved to be the most popular design being a medium sized vessel with a creditable performance when fitted with the twin engine option or an ideal cruiser with the single installation.
Osbornes need little introduction as one of the premier South Coast boat-builders situated in Rope Walk on the River Arun. William Osborne established the yard in Littlehampton in 1919 building a series of 20 knot power boats for the Sussex Motor Yacht Club. Building commissions for motor-yachts soon started to come in and the company grew considerably during the 1930’s. Wartime work included the high speed Motor Torpedo Boats and Gun Boats. The company having built up a reputation for quality craft received orders from the RNLI to build lifeboats. Continuing also with the expanding range of motor cruisers they adopted the same high standard close seamed double diagonal mahogany construction with the cruisers as in the lifeboats. In the industry the company were known for their ‘Osborne Finish’
Ozzy, ex: Sea Horse was a special order for a Littlehampton Hotelier, the design is based on the standard Kestrel with an additional aft cabin.
She remained in the same hoteliers ownership for many years before being sold to one of the hotels employees who based her on the South Coast for the next ten years. In the 1990’s Ozzy was sold to a London based couple who kept her moored on the River Thames for three years before selling to a Gloucester surgeon who moved her on to the River Avon at Tewkesbury. With a growing family a larger boat was required so after a few years she was sold to the current and sixth owner who stationed her on the Norfolk Broads.
Complete 2009 external re-paint, re-varnish and antifouling although on-going cosmetic work is now required with the interior in the process of being fitted with new covers and trim. A purchaser would have the option at this stage of the re-fit to complete the work themselves subject to an agreed figure.
Ozzy comes with a large file which includes, history, photographs, past bills and invoices, manuals and past survey reports.
Double Diagonal mahogany hull, with oiled calico between all copper fastened to oak frames and timbers.
Varnished mahogany superstructure and laid decks. Laminated glass windows with anodised alloy frames.
Foreward Cabin: Two ‘V’ berths which convert to double.
Saloon: Settee berth to port, built in lockers and storage.
Galley: Situated the length of the starboard side of the main cabin. Two burner gas cooker with oven and grill, deep stainless-steel sink unit with h&c, 12 volt refrigerator with freezer compartment, ample pantry and crockery lockers with work top over.
Wheel Shelter / Centre Cockpit: Detachable double duck canvas hood. Port helm position with console and instrumentation, morse engine control, NASA speed and distance log, Nasa depth sounder, VHF radio, twin screen wipers, navigation lights, spotlight, horn, fully fused switch panel. Wheel steering with geared quadrant and rods to semi-balanced plate rudder.
Access beneath cockpit sole to:
60hp Ford 4D four cylinder diesel engine fitted a few years ago. Hurth gearbox, new stainless steel prop shaft with Aquaseal stern gland. Shaft rope cutter. Approx. 8 knots maximum, 6 knots cruising speed. Sea going propeller available. Engine hours about 400, with regular services. 240 volt shore power hook-up and power points to main cabin areas, two 12 volt batteries with lockable change over switches. Calorifier providing domestic pressurised hot water. Gas fired warm air heating system. Automatic bilge pump, manual bilge pump. New fresh water and fuel tanks fitted about 8 years ago. Lighting throughout.
Aft Cabin: Single berth to port, built-in stowage and access to:
Heads Compartment: Marine wc with change over valve for external discharge at sea or to a fitted stainless steel holding tank with deck fitting for pumping out.
On Deck: Stainless steel pulpit and pushpit. Transom mounted stainless steel boarding ladder. Twin bow roller. CQR bower anchor with about 30 metres of chain. Two boathooks. Horseshoe life-ring.
Boat Safety Certificate until 2013
Brokers Note:
The Osborne Kestrel has always been an extremely popular river, estuary and sea-going motor-cruiser offering good accommodation and performance combined with 1960’s style. Ozzy is believed to be the only example with an original aft cabin making this an ideal family boat. Some on-going work is currently being undertaken and the last five photographs taken in March 2013 show the stage which has currently been reach. The interior will be completed shortly and the vessel re-commissioned this Spring.
Lying: Ashore – Norfolk
Guide: £14,750 Part Exchanged considered for GRP motor-cruiser of lower value.
Viewing: By prior appointment through CLASSIC YACHT BROKERAGE
