Please help identify this boat

[fakeshetland]

Hi,

We recently bought this boat listed as a Shetland 535 1990, but suspect it isn't as we can't find any matching images on google.

Specifically the replacement windows that we bought (made for shetland) don't fit.

Would be good to know the make of boat so we can think about replacement parts etc.

Thanks in advance

 

[pvb]

Welcome to the forums!

I think you may have to wait a few days until you can post a photo.

Edit: Out of interest, I believe the last Shetland 535 was made in 1986.

 

[fakeshetland]

Hi,

Thanks for the info, I suspect it is older than 1990 due to design and fibreglass makeup, but good to know!

Here are links to photos - the hull and cabin are similar to other Shetlands i've seen but not an exact match.

4-B866299-D761-4716-A75-A-7-E82-B645-A317
16313763-5691-4-B6-A-88-C9-045-C418-C4-B0-F
EB07-FEC6-86-CF-41-FA-AD3-B-A361-B189-F8-AA
E7639-A22-4-EA8-4-A0-F-9-D8-C-CB63-A0074195

 

[Dellquay13]

Hi,

Thanks for the info, I suspect it is older than 1990 due to design and fibreglass makeup, but good to know!

Here are links to photos - the hull and cabin are similar to other Shetlands i've seen but not an exact match.

4-B866299-D761-4716-A75-A-7-E82-B645-A317
16313763-5691-4-B6-A-88-C9-045-C418-C4-B0-F
EB07-FEC6-86-CF-41-FA-AD3-B-A361-B189-F8-AA
E7639-A22-4-EA8-4-A0-F-9-D8-C-CB63-A0074195

that isn't a Shetland.
the 535 was replaced in 1975 by a completely new moulding the 536, which went through a series of minor design changes until 1978 when it was rebadged as the Family 4, which was finally discontinued after 30 years when the mould tools were sold to Quayline boats in Poole in 2018.
the hull is neither 535 flatted V nor 536/F4 gull wing. The cockpit is too long, and the cabin front too rounded to be Shetland.

 

[Tranona]

Definitely not a Shetland - nowhere near. Somebody may recognise it but there were so many similar boats built like that from small builders dating from late 60s to mid 80s

While it is nice to know the make and model doubt it would help with replacement parts. The boat is what it is and most bits will have to be either made for it or for hardware use similar things from chandlers.

 

[25931]

Hi,

We recently bought this boat listed as a Shetland 535 1990, but suspect it isn't as we can't find any matching images on google.

Specifically the replacement windows that we bought (made for shetland) don't fit.

Would be good to know the make of boat so we can think about replacement parts etc.

Thanks in advance

Nothing like my 535. Have you tried the Shetland Owners ?

 

[Caraway]

I think you may struggle to get windows for that. The two at the front of the cabin are double curvature and would cost more than you paid for the boat to have made.
I would think the trailer is none too safe either, having been home-made with no mudgaurds and no brakes. If that outfit (including motor) is less than 750 Kgs, it'll be a close thing.
More worrying is the trailer construction with what seems to be an A bar connected to the main frame with little more than a couple of welds. As it is very likely old it won't come under many of the regs for trailers after '96, but needs a good assesment by someone who knows about trailers.
Don't want to sound too pesimistic, but you've got a fair bit of work on your hands there.

 

[Dellquay13]

top to bottom, Shetland 536, 535, Family 4 circa 1990. Ive seen nothing like yours on the shetland owners forum.
The bulge in the hull at the stern on yours looks 1960s to me

 

[Caraway]

It looks very similar to a 1960 Dorsett Catalina

 

[Caraway]

In fact here it is ........

1960 dorsett catalina for sale 90% complete project just needs painting inside and windows ... - NewsNow Classifieds

 

[PCUK]

Now that the mystery is solved you can make your own windows using polycarbonate or acrylic sheet. Make cardboard templates, cut to size then heat with boiling water and a hot air gun to bend to shape.

 

[Caraway]

The mystery is still around. Did the OP get the boat with a 40 hp Susuki, or had someone bought the boat advertised on NewsNow Classified and kept the engine, re-advertising it as a newer Shetland?

 

[fakeshetland]

Thanks everyone for their posts and identifying the boat!

The outboard was offered to us but we declined.

Think we need to determine whether she is seaworthy first as she is a little older than we thought..... any tips for doing this?

If we do press ahead with the restoration then I imagine here will be an invaluable resource for advice etc

Thanks again

 

[Davy_S]

Now that the mystery is solved you can make your own windows using polycarbonate or acrylic sheet. Make cardboard templates, cut to size then heat with boiling water and a hot air gun to bend to shape.

I doubt that would work for a double curvature window, what they do is make a former using wood and filler to the correct shape, then fill a tray with Glycol and heat it from underneath, when done correctly the sheet goes floppy and can be dropped onto the former, but get it too hot and it will cloud up, it needs careful experimenting with the temperature, if you can DIY it, it will save you a big wedge.

 

[pvb]

Thanks everyone for their posts and identifying the boat!

The outboard was offered to us but we declined.

Think we need to determine whether she is seaworthy first as she is a little older than we thought..... any tips for doing this?

If we do press ahead with the restoration then I imagine here will be an invaluable resource for advice etc

Thanks again

I think you'll find that sourcing windows to fit will be very expensive - far more than the boat will ever be worth. Your best bet would be to sell it on again quickly, and treat it as a learning curve.

 

[Topcat47]

No help here, but I do have to say how great this site is with people so able to identify some really obscure boats and the expert advice you can fine here.

 

[ithet]

I doubt that would work for a double curvature window, what they do is make a former using wood and filler to the correct shape, then fill a tray with Glycol and heat it from underneath, when done correctly the sheet goes floppy and can be dropped onto the former, but get it too hot and it will cloud up, it needs careful experimenting with the temperature, if you can DIY it, it will save you a big wedge.

The place to seek expertise for forming curved perspex is homebuild aircraft groups.

 

[25931]

Thanks everyone for their posts and identifying the boat!

The outboard was offered to us but we declined.

Think we need to determine whether she is seaworthy first as she is a little older than we thought..... any tips for doing this?

If we do press ahead with the restoration then I imagine here will be an invaluable resource for advice etc

Thanks again

Just as a point of interest why did you decline the 40hp ? I'm looking for one for my 535 aAss mine has blown up but I live in the Algarve.

 

[Jim@sea]

Thanks everyone for their posts and identifying the boat!

The outboard was offered to us but we declined.

Think we need to determine whether she is seaworthy first as she is a little older than we thought..... any tips for doing this?

If we do press ahead with the restoration then I imagine here will be an invaluable resource for advice etc

Thanks again

In 1967 with my New Shetland 535 with two 33 HP Evinrude's I attempted to go round South Stack after leaving Holyhead. And one of the engines packed up.
I would say that boat is not Seaworthy. Even if you put a couple of outboards on the back you should only stick close to shore.

 

[Caraway]

Hi,

We recently bought this boat listed as a Shetland 535 1990, but suspect it isn't as we can't find any matching images on google.

Was it for sale somewhere else, listed as a Shetland, then?