Oyster 14 and Sabb info sought

[dkw]

Hi, thanks for adding me.

I’ve just been given a project boat by a family member, he had no idea what it is but after posting a pic online the consensus is that it’s an “Oyster 14”

It was purchased from Sunny Corner in Truro around 22 years ago but it’s only seen the water a couple of times since then and for the past 20 years it’s been in storage as a project in waiting and now it’s my turn!

The boat is called “Dreckly” and painted on a board on the transom it says “Oyster 14”.
I am struggling to find any information or pics online on “Oyster” boats ( apart from the really expensive new yachts). Does anyone know where I might find any information?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[dkw]

Also i’m told that the original engine would have been an inboard Sabb 8hp. I’d like to reinstate the engine if possible but is the Sabb engine a useable/ reliable unit to consider?

 

[Tranona]

Can't help on the history but that is like many similar boats built in the 60s thru 80s based on local wooden fishing boat hulls but moulded in GRP. Could well have had a Sabb originally but you would not want one now even if you could find a working example. Difficult to see, but it does not seem to have the stern gear in place and the transom has been modified to take an outboard. This is by far the most sensible type of motor to have. A 9.9hp would be more than enough. Just make sure there is no rot in the reinforcement if the transom.

 

[Ferris]

The rudder would have been transom hung and thats not in the pictures, agree that I'd keep it outboard unless you really, really want an inboard. Even then you'd have to source a replacement engine new enough to have parts support - its the difficult way to go about it and you won't be on the water anytime soon. An outboard would be a weekend job if the transom is sound.

Example of one converted to outboard:
Oyster 16 with cuddy - YouTube

 

[dkw]

Can't help on the history but that is like many similar boats built in the 60s thru 80s based on local wooden fishing boat hulls but moulded in GRP. Could well have had a Sabb originally but you would not want one now even if you could find a working example. Difficult to see, but it does not seem to have the stern gear in place and the transom has been modified to take an outboard. This is by far the most sensible type of motor to have. A 9.9hp would be more than enough. Just make sure there is no rot in the reinforcement if the transom.

Thanks for your reply, the boat does come eith a 4hp evinrude engine but i’m told it was far too underpowered for the boat. I am going to strip the boat so will inspect the transom and replace anything necessary.

 

[dkw]

The rudder would have been transom hung and thats not in the pictures, agree that I'd keep it outboard unless you really, really want an inboard. Even then you'd have to source a replacement engine new enough to have parts support - its the difficult way to go about it and you won't be on the water anytime soon. An outboard would be a weekend job if the transom is sound.

Example of one converted to outboard:
Oyster 16 with cuddy - YouTube

Thanks for your reply. I was looking at an inboard as I liked the thought of returning it to original but I didn’t like the idea of the room the engine would take up so perhaps a decent outboard would be the way forward. And it would be excellent to have it useable sooner.

 

[101chugger]

Oysters were produced by Honnor Marine on the South coast and (I think) in Maylandsea in Essex. If you search Oyster 16 open boat on google you’ll get quite a few images. My experience is with an Oyster 16. It handles current and tide well with its Beta 14hp engine. I know of another which has just had its Yanmar 1GM replaced with a 2GM as the owner thought the 1GM a little underpowered. The 1GM would probably do well in your 14 foot boat.
The Oysters handle well and with their bilge keels can be easily beached, excellent for creek crawling.

 

[dkw]

Oysters were produced by Honnor Marine on the South coast and (I think) in Maylandsea in Essex. If you search Oyster 16 open boat on google you’ll get quite a few images. My experience is with an Oyster 16. It handles current and tide well with its Beta 14hp engine. I know of another which has just had its Yanmar 1GM replaced with a 2GM as the owner thought the 1GM a little underpowered. The 1GM would probably do well in your 14 foot boat.
The Oysters handle well and with their bilge keels can be easily beached, excellent for creek crawling.View attachment 138043

Hi, thanks for the info, i will look into Honnor Marine! I will have a look at Yanmar engines too, i’m used to them from machinery I have used but not in a marine form.

 

[Tranona]

The actual engine is the least of the problems. Plenty of Yanmar 1GMs around - new about £4k and working used between £1500-2000. the problem is that installation , just the bits, new come to over £1k and if the original stern tube and engine beds have been removed it is a massive and expensive job to re-instate. You also need to build a rudder. That is why so many of this type of boat is now outboard powered.

 

[dkw]

The actual engine is the least of the problems. Plenty of Yanmar 1GMs around - new about £4k and working used between £1500-2000. the problem is that installation , just the bits, new come to over £1k and if the original stern tube and engine beds have been removed it is a massive and expensive job to re-instate. You also need to build a rudder. That is why so many of this type of boat is now outboard powered.

Are there any outboard makes to be favoured/ avoided?