1929 McGruer Bermudan Ketch

Design and Provenance
'Kythera' was designed by Ewing McGruer and built in 1929 by McGruers of Clynder, on the Clyde. She was commissioned for Dr Carslaw, a well-known sailor of the time, who owned four McGruer yachts and documented his cruising extensively in published accounts of sailing on the West Coast of Scotland. As a result, Kythera carries both historical significance and a well-documented provenance.
Construction and Rig
She is solidly built, using 1.25-inch pitch pine planking, fastened with bronze screws to 3-inch by 3-inch sawn oak frames. The yacht is rigged as a masthead Bermudian ketch, with keel-stepped varnished wooden masts. Importantly, all standing rigging was replaced in December 2023, using stainless steel wire.
A distinctive feature is her dog-house, which is unusual for McGruer yachts. This was likely a specific request by Dr Carslaw, who specified similar structures on more than one of his yachts, and it provides valuable shelter when sailing in northern climates.
Refit and Recent Works
Kythera has undergone a major refit over the past four years, bringing her to an exceptional standard. A reconditioned Volvo Penta D1 engine was fitted in 2020. Further upgrades include new standing and running rigging (2023), new chain plates (2023), and new sails fitted in 2024. In addition, she benefits from a solar panel system mounted on the dog-house, a recent Force 10 cooker, and new upholstery throughout.
Condition and Use
As a result of this work, Kythera now presents in excellent condition, while retaining the character and integrity expected of a yacht of this era. She is well suited to classic cruising, racing, and heritage sailing, offering her next owner a rare opportunity to sail a properly restored piece of British maritime history.
Price and Availability
NEW REDUCED PRICE – JULY 2025
Further details are available on request.
CONSTRUCTION
Kythera is solidly built with 1.25″ pitch pine planks fastened with bronze screws to 3″ x 3″ sawn oak frames and 2 steamed intermediate timbers and copper rivet fastened. External iron ballast keel of four tons with galvanised steel bolts replaced in 2020. Galvanise steel strap floors bolted through the sawn frames. Straight laid tongue and groove pine deck sheathed in epoxy glass cloth, all new sheathing in 2023. Beautiful and rare solid teak doghouse and cockpit coamings. Deep and spacious self draining cockpit with a sliding teak door into the dog house. Doghouse roof newly sheathed in 2023. Wheel steering with a bronze rack and pinion type system.
MACHINERY AND ELECTRICS
Kythera is driven by a refurbished Volvo Penta D1-30 (from 2008) 3cyl 30hp diesel installed in 2020 and serviced in 2023. The engine has approx 10 hours since rebuild. Twin lever controls to a centreline 3 blade bronze propeller. Four leisure batteries and one dedicated engine starter battery are charged from the engine alternator, which can be checked with a Victron battery monitor. The batteries are also trickle charged from 300W of Renogy solar panels mounted on the dog house roof, which provide more than enough to keep all of the electrics running. 3000W Renogy inverter to power the cooker and three sockets that are spaced throughout the interior along with USB charging stations in the dog house and cockpit. There is a 90 litre copper fuel tank under the side deck in the cockpit with inspection hatch and breather system. For fresh water there is a 100 litre plastic water tank under the cockpit sole. There is a 30 litre calorifier that is heated from the engine for use in the galley sink and shower. A 35 litre holding tank for the heads.
NAVIGATION
VHF accessible from cockpit, NASA tactical wind indicator and display, axiom raymarine chart plotter (with navionics charts for Southern and Western UK) linked up with Trinav, Nasa Clipper speed and depth display. Tricolour masthead headlight, deck light, steaming light, port and starboard navigation lights, stern light. Original brass barometer and 2 compasses, one large one small.
ACCOMMODATION
There is ample headroom (over 6′) in the dog house, galley and main saloon. Sliding door from the cockpit into the dog house where there is a starboard side single settee berth and a centreline varnished chart table, that folds up into the aft bulkhead, a good sized fridge on port side along with storage behind sliding panels. The engine is under the dog house sole with multiple access points. Then steps down into the main saloon with the heads compartment to starboard and galley to port. The heads have a manual Jabsco sea toilet which discharges directly overboard or into a 35 litre holding tank. The galley has a stainless steel sink with both cold and hot water, a Force10 induction cooker, as well as loads of storage for provisions, pots, plates, bowls etc. The main cabin has two cushioned benches that fold up to be four single berths. Storage shelves behind and outboard of the backs of the benches, as well as below. Large cabinet for hanging clothes or wet weather gear on starboard. The forward V-berth is designed to have significant storage underneath. All upholstery replaced and updated in December 2023 and is free of stains and wear.
RIGGING
Kythera is masthead Bermudian ketch rig with keel stepped varnished wooden masts. All standing rigging brand-new December 2023 with stainless steel wire, mast head caps and bottle screws, old steel chain plates replaced with stainless steel 2023. Kythera is fitted out with slab reefing on the main boom, roller reefing mizzen boom and a hanked on headsails on the forestay with split standing back stay. All sails are brand new made in 2024, made in an original beautiful tan colour. Brand new running rigging installed in April 2024.
EXTRAS
Kythera comes with everything one needs to immediately set sail. Fully kitted out galley with everything for up to 6 people to cook and eat. Three fire extinguishers, fire blanket, full newly restocked offshore flare pack and air horn. Flag pole with red ensign. 6 brand new never used lifejackets, 2 boat hooks. 15m 16A shore power cable. Serviced and good until the end of 2026 4 person offshore Seago liferaft. She has 6 fenders, mooring lines, 100m of anchor chain with a 45 pound CQR anchor, 15 pound backup kedge anchor. Avon Redstart Dinghy, with a brand new 2024 Torqeedo 603 Travel electric outboard.