Specification:
Length 17' 8" (5.37m)
Beam 6' 10" (2.08m)
Draft 2' (0.6m)
Weight 585Kg
Engine Max 70hp
Country of manufacture: UK
Built from 1973 to 1978
More details on full specification can be found at http://www.shetlandboats.co.uk/index.htm
Report from Bob
Bought in Reading had been a Thames wekender so only been on freshwater.I towed it the 250 miles back to Falmouth without incident and have had it laid up at a local marine centre.
Everything seems in good shape and I've refitted the Cabin door, put on wooden grab rails ( the originals must have rotted away !)
I have checked all the wiring and the nav lights all work well and I've fitted Fishfider (Garmin 120) and its transducer ( slight concern here that the bracket that holds in on to the transom is made of plastic and I can see it getting damaged at some point.) My summer mooring dries out on spring tides.
I've wired in the GPS ( Garmin 152 ) Both the garmin units were bought mail order from the states and Garmin are happy to honour the Guarantee in the UK. They were both shipped as gifts and incurred no duty or VAT. I settled on the 152 as it works well under the covers, whereas I've heard that the 126 can be temperamental if it isn't completely out in the open.
I have to get an antennae mount for the gps antennae and have one on order
locally (plastic the stainless one in the chandlers was £20 odd quid). The
existing electric horn is dead and I'm looking for small replacement.
I've got a couple of rod holders ordered for the rear engine well, but
haven't come across any that are ideal for the rail when the cover is down.
Hope to launch the last week of January so will be able to give more info then.
Shetland 536 ‘Safety First’- (1974)
I chose the Shetland because it’s unsinkable and wanted to consider the kids that might use it. The boat is quite spacious giving enough room in the cabin to stow a shed load of gear and allow 4 people to fish from the cockpit. The cabin is bigger than I really need but the idea of sleeping two in reasonable comfort is appealing and on family trips having two distinct areas for people is nice.
The Shetland is a very smooth ride it’s a bit like riding on rails and feels very secure and flat on the water. The cockpit is reasonably protected from the wind and the windscreen is above my head height when standing in the centre well. It’s easy to see over when I stand on the deck to either side of the well. The shaped sides offer some extra protection from the elements and make the canopy fit very securely but make it difficult to fit standard rod holders.
The seats are comfy and a welcome respite in quiet moments, they are on a hinged frame so it makes it easy to swish clean. The windscreen also offers some shelter for the fish finder and GPS so they get no spray and miss the worst of any rain. Mounting there also allows good visibility for skipper and crew. There is a nicely shaped console for extra instruments and an access hole to pass the steering gear and cables through to the cabin and through to the engine well.
The engine well on this model is very large and allows for the fitting of an aux engine as well as the main outboard. The engine well is quite low and the cut away transom is close to the water so in rough weather the well does get a good soaking, not probably ideal for ocean going trips but quite adequate for inshore fishing up to 3 or 4 miles. (I’ve only had her 2 miles out so far and in reasonably calm weather).
My boat has a 30hp 2 stroke and its sufficient to push it along at 9/10 knots and it cruises happily at 6/8 knots the bow rising nicely and a good clean wake (see pic). It can happily take up to 75Hp and there’s plenty of room for fuel tanks and batteries. Even in heavy weather it doesn’t slam or behave badly, a little cavitation occurs if over steering.
I probably paid slightly over the odds for mine as I wanted a good clean history and no major work to do in the first season so it came off the Thames, with the engine tank, 4 wheel road trailer, repainted, anti fouled and serviced for £2000.00 you can pick them up from a little as half that if your prepared to put in some work tidying up. I figure the engine and trailer were about £600.00 so the basic boat came in at £1400.00 it should probably have been closer to £1000.00 but that’s privately you see them at brokers between £2000.00 and £3500.00 depending on the motor.
Pluses
Very safe very stable, large cabin and substantial build quality.
Minuses
Only room for max 4 to fish. 2 man launch and retrieve (unless your very young and fit!). Difficult to fit rod holders. Doesn’t have an anchor and warp well on the bows (other models do).
Overall verdict: I love it.
Shetland 536 'Replacement Engine
I've upgraded the engine to an old 55 hp Yamaha two stroke and the difference is incredible.
The boat now planes at 14 knotts and will do 22 knotts at full throttle.
This has transformed the range and speed at which I can get to marks and I would certainly recomend
that anyone using a shetland 535/536 for sea going and estuary work should get a minimum of 50hp to
make it viable.
The fuel consumption is exactly the same but the time it takes to get anywhere is halved.
The 30 hp was fine on the Thames but not really up to sea going.
No other problems have emerged during the first year.
Clean wake at 6 knots. Note the expensive flagpole.
536 on its mooring
Disclaimer: Everything written in these reports are based on personal experience and the individual's opinion only. I have tried my best to present the facts correctly, but I/we take no responsibility for any mistakes or omissions.