Osprey Kestrel

Broomy · 19 March 2004, 14:16

New to the forum. Just done the powerboat level 2 with www.Professional-Powerboat-Training.co.uk. Had a great time!! Thanks again, Jono, Dave + Ian.

Some pics of our Osprey Kestrel taken on a trip from the Ilse of Mull to Staffa to see Fingals Cave. Well worth the trip.

Anyone else owned or had experience of an Osprey Kestrel? Would be interested in your comments or pics, as weve never seen another Kestrel !!

Now want my dad to get a bigger RIB, since doing the level 2 course !!!!!

Broomy · 19 March 2004, 14:25

and...up on the plane !!!

Broomy · 19 March 2004, 14:29

Staffa

Petrov · 19 March 2004, 14:49

Osprey Kestrel is an old model from Osprey, they don`t make it anymore, even the mould is destroyd. The Kestrel is 4,6m, tubes (bow) to transom, probably 5m from tubes in the back to tubes in front.
Boat is not a deep V, the Kestrel is pretty alike the Osprey 5,15m that you find in Osprey`s range today.
The 5,15m is a depp V but not as deep as the rest of the models.

Charlie · 03 April 2004, 22:44

Petrov, thanx for feedback to my sons enquiry ref. Osprey Kestrel, has been excellent boat, but considering selling to buy larger RIB. Have been offered an older Osprey Sparrowhawk 5.2 with 75hp Mariner.
Would be interested in your comments, comparisons with our current RIB. Sparrowhawk has been used as a dive boat and needs some cleaning and TLC, but seems basically sound.

Thanx Charlie

Petrov · 10 April 2004, 14:26

Hi Charlie;

Sorry for not responding before but i have driven my new Osprey from Belgium to Sweden and it took 2 days longwer than planed, 20 m/s in north sea and 12 m/s in Sweden with wind in the nose, really hard because Baltic sea is not very deep, 12 m/s means 2 1/2 m of waves and only 4m between the tops, brrrrrrrrr.
The Sparrowhawk is a very nice running boat, i just love the hard bow, it`s not as dry to drive in big waves but much more fun than the usual bow, it`s more of a sporty rib, i had a Seaharrier before and i regret that i sold it, great boat.
I don`t know the age of the Sparrowhawk but if there is something bad about the old Spawwowhawks is that there is no compartments in the tubes, one hole and all the air will disapere on one side.
But i will say that it`s a much better and fun boat than the Kestrel.
Hope it helps a little bit.

whitingiom · 12 April 2004, 21:42

I've got one of those....seems pretty bomb proof to me (my 16 year old lunatic seems to drive up waves just for fun.)

Certainly can ship some water if you're trying hard....I did one of the Honda Rib Challenge courses last summer whilst helping out, and lost points for wet feet...does turn on a sixpence though.

I understand that they (Osprey) will do a compartment tube as a replacement so when mine show signs of defeat, I'll probably go for one of those.

Mines got a low hours engine on it, but the boat is a 1991, and still on original tubes with no patches (and was used as a dive boat).

Cheers

Jon

Charlie · 21 April 2004, 22:02

Thanx Petrov and and Jon regarding the Osprey Sparrowhawk.
The boat is a '92 with a '92 75hp Mariner (see pic on 'Osprey Sparrowhawk' post) hopefully taking it out on the River Mersey on Sunday to try out. Cant wait !!!!!!!
Have prospective buyer for our '96 Osprey Kestrel,
Will let you know how it goes,

Charlie + Chris (Broomy)

Petrov · 22 April 2004, 06:03

Great charlie, looking forward hearing your opinion.

Charlie · 28 April 2004, 23:38

Petrov and Jon,
Thanks for your advice, went out in Sparrowhawk on Sunday, and as you said, excellent hull, gives loads of confidence, but have found out that the claimed age of boat was incorrect, due to the 75hp Mariner engine cowl being the"clam" type, it places it as mid 1980s,and the boat is the same age as the engine,so, wilst it peformed ok, I feel the £5000 asking price for an ex dive boat of tht age is a bit risky,what do you think?
We have backed of to have I think,as I think I should be able to get a newer package for a little more without the risk?

Petrov · 29 April 2004, 05:54

Hi Charlie;

I can`t say that i know 2hand prices very well in UK.
Scandinavian people are taking care of their boats like their house and family etc so boats up here of that age are in very good shape.
Wich means that the 2 hand prices are very high here.
And i agree with you 5,000 GBP are to much for a boat from mid 80`s
It`s also hard to say a price because i don`t know equipment etc on boat.
How`s with electronics, seatings etc.

whitingiom · 29 April 2004, 12:29

Guys

I got mine last year for under £5k.

Engine had 50 hours & fsh (2001 engine)

Also included radio, a frame, twin spotlights, nav lights, gps, depth sounder,flares (out of date now!), anchor with chain & warp, only 1 jockey seat though.

Shop around a bit - particularly if the engine's that old......

Jon

Pete7 · 29 April 2004, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie

Petrov and Jon,
Thanks for your advice, went out in Sparrowhawk on Sunday, and as you said, excellent hull, gives loads of confidence, but have found out that the claimed age of boat was incorrect, due to the 75hp Mariner engine cowl being the"clam" type, it places it as mid 1980s,?

Charlie, I had a new Merc 75 hp in 92 which was clam cowl type so the boat may not be as old as you think.

Osprey changed the design of the nose cone around 1990 from very small to the common sparrowhawk design we now see. Also the early tubes were dated in biro inside the nose cone. If the rib has a hatch to access the nose cone(a popular mod) then with a torch and mirror you should be able to see the date of manufacture.

Post a pic and I will have a guess at its age.

Pete

Pete7 · 29 April 2004, 13:35

Sorry just found this pic of the Sparrowhawk. I think it dates from 91 to 95. After 95 some changes to the line of the hardnose and tube join were made to even out the line so it flowed together. This one pre-dates this change. The second layer of rubbing strip on the nose isn't standard and what is going on under those patches at the front of the tubes ? however the sign writing on the nose looks intact as is normally worn with heavy use so perhaps she hasn't seen that much action.

I did the Round Scotland Race in 92 with a Sparrowhawk and can only describe them as bomb proof.

Pete

swginn · 29 April 2004, 13:36

Came across this the other day. Don't know whether its a Kestrel or Sparrowhawk or what? Picture's not great. May be worth a look. Would be a fast boat with a 90 on the back.

http://www.buyaboat.co.uk/boatdetail...srefno=1819562

Charlie · 01 May 2004, 23:10

Thanks to all who responded to our Sparrowhawk questions, reading about the rib Jon bought,and the Osprey Swginn highlighted, (have phoned about that,but no reply ), we are going to have an other look around,and not rush into anything. Having a next week on a "34ft Nauticat Motorsailer " up at Mull in Scotland, so time to chill and have a think, thanks again to all, if anyone hears of a suitable Rib, let us know,my son will be watching the site. Charlie.....