1963 McGruer 8m Cruiser Racer - Photo 1
1 / 30
+20

1963 McGruer 8m Cruiser Racer

Sail Used Listed 0 days ago

Specifications

Make McGruer
Model 8m Cruiser Racer
Year 1963
Length 41.7ft (12.7m)
Beam 3.00m
Draft 1.90m
Hull Material Carvel planked Mahogany/Teak
Engine Bukh DV36 marine diesel engine (1985) 36hp 3 cylinder, naturally aspirated, indirectly cooled Mechanical reversing marine gearbox Engine panel with gauges for RPM, oil pressure, temperature, engine hours. Engine Hours: 1290
Fuel Type diesel
Location Argyll, United Kingdom

Equipment & Extras

LWL
8.3m
Name
INISMARA
Designer
James McGruer
Keel Type
Long Keel
Displacement
7796kg
Fuel Capacity
45l
Drinking Water Capacity
113l
  • Mechanical reversing marine gearbox
  • Engine panel with gauges for RPM, oil pressure, temperature, engine hours
  • Stainless steel propshaft
  • Stuffing type sterngland with remote greaser
  • Two-blade bronze folding propellor
  • Laminated hardwood tiller
  • 12VDC onboard power system
  • 230VAC shore power/inverter system
  • Shore Power System
  • Extension lead to connect to shore supply
  • Single 16 amp connection point
  • 3 pin UK sockets
  • Battery charger
  • Engine Battery – 1x 12VDC, 120Ah, lead acid
  • Domestic Battery – 1x 12VDC, 120Ah, lead acid
  • Voltmeter on engine dash panel
  • Single engine driven alternator
  • 12VDC sockets at switch panel and chart table
  • Manually pumped cold fresh water system
  • Manually pumped salt water tap in galley
  • Manual Bilge Pump
  • Electric Bilge Pump
  • Single diesel tank (45ltrs / 10 gallons)
  • Single fresh water tank (113ltrs / 25 gallons)
  • Raymarine ST60 Depth
  • Autohelm ST50 Speed/Log
  • Autohelm ST50 Wind
  • Furuno GP31 GPS
  • Magnetic Compass
  • Husun 60 VHF
  • Gimbal mounted gas cooker (two burner and grill)
  • Stainless steel sink
  • Fresh cold water tap in galley
  • Extractor fan in galley
  • Jabsco manual marine toilet
  • Wash hand basin in heads
  • Cold water tap in heads
  • Original overhead and bulkhead mounted lighting fittings
  • Reading lights over saloon settees
  • Sail locker forward
  • Fo’c’sle with two single berths
  • Heads compartment
  • Saloon providing two occasional single berths
  • Nav Station
  • Galley
  • Quarter berth
  • Mahogany joinery work
  • Mahogany soleboards
  • Aquamarine, natural cotton, woven fabric upholstery
  • Formica topped galley work surfaces
  • Chain locker
  • Pull out shelves below seat for glasses
  • Drawers and storage lockers
  • Hanging locker
  • Vanity lockers
  • Bench seating to port and starboard
  • Settees converting to occasional single berths
  • Centrally mounted, double drop leaf saloon table with central bottle storage compartment
  • Storage lockers outboard
  • Bookshelf
  • ‘Ships Bar’ locker
  • Compact countertop Nav Station
  • Worktop designed to hold laptop computer
  • Fold-up section to extend working space
  • Serial connection for laptop to connect to GPS data
  • Crockery storage rack
  • Deck stepped, single spreader, fractionally rigged sloop
  • Gold anodised alloy mast and spars (Proctor Masts)
  • Stainless steel standing rigging
  • Harken roller reefing system on forestay
  • On-Boom roller reefing mainsail with kicker strap
  • Block and tackle kicker
  • Spinnaker pole
  • 2x Lewmar 2-speed Primary Winches (original fitment)
  • 2x Gibb 2-speed Secondary Winches (original fitment)
  • 1x Lewmar 40 Mast Mounted Halyard Winch
  • Merriman Mainsail Halyard Winch by Francis Shaw & Co. Ltd
  • Mainsail – White Dacron, on-boom roller reefing (Nicholson Hughes, 2005)
  • Genoa – White Dacon, roller reefing, 130% (Nicholson Hughes, 2005)
  • Spinnaker
  • Mainsail cover
  • Bower Anchor – 35lb CQR anchor on 60m chain rode
  • Kedge Anchor – Fisherman-type anchor
  • Lofrans Cayman 88 electric anchor windlass with chain gypsy and warping drum
  • Fenders
  • Mooring Warps
  • Boat Hook
  • Zodiac inflatable dinghy
  • Masthead Tri-colour light
  • Steaming light
  • Low Level running lights (original fitment SL items)
  • Double stainless steel bow roller
  • Stainless steel pulpit rail
  • Deck mounted stainless steel stanchions
  • Double tier stainless steel guardwires
  • Guardwire gate to starboard
  • Centrally mounted traditional teak and chromed bronze mooring cleat forward
  • Anchor windlass mounted on foredeck
  • 3 wooden deck hatches re-built, glazed in polycarbonate with decorative stainless steel frame
  • Bronze genoa tracks mounted on toerail with original fitment genoa cars
  • Mahogany cockpit coaming
  • Primary and secondary winches mounted on plinths
  • Locker beneath port forward cockpit seat
  • Teak grating fitted over original, self-draining cockpit sole
  • Centrally mounted traditional teak and chromed bronze mooring cleat on aft deck

Description

Launched in 1963, INISMARA is perhaps the most famous of the 8 metre Cruiser Racer class (8mCR). For many, she is an icon of the work of James McGruer because of her looks, racing success, quality of construction and commissioning owner. INISMARA was commissioned by Peter Odlum, a stalwart of Irish sailing but no stranger to Clyde racing or west coast cruising. She was his second 8mCR, the James McGruer-designed NAMHARA having to make way for INISMARA. Built to Lloyds A1, in her first season she scored 17 wins from 25 starts and won the Lloyds Register Yacht Trophy. Peter Odlum continued to enjoy racing success and enjoyable cruising with INISMARA, before commissioning James McGruer to design the yawl, RINAMARA, launched in 1968. With just her third owner, INISMARA was purchased in 1995 by her current custodian after an extended lay-up of some 10+ years in the sheds at McGruers. Lovingly re-commissioned, great care was taken to maintain the boats original specifications while sympathetically modernising some areas. Lightly used in the by her current owners INISMARA is offered for sale in excellent condition with her original hardware, fittings and finishes very much still intact. On file we hold the 1965 Yachting Monthly review along with an extensive collection of original photos and press cuttings cataloguing the successes of INISMARA and Peter Odlum. These are available to interested parties upon request. Lying ashore in the shed at Kilmelford Yacht Haven, INISMARA is available for viewing by prior appointment. THE 8 METRE CRUISER RACERS: Distinct from International Rule 8 metres – “straight eights” – the 8 metre Cruiser Racer class came out of an amendment to the Rule, to devise a level-rating cruiser-racer class. As such, the 8mCRs are often very competitive when racing and commodious enough for family cruising. It is obvious that the 8mCR class was resoundingly adopted by Clyde sailors – not just because the majority were actively raced on the Firth but because Clyde naval architect, James McGruer, designed so many of them. Out of 23 8mCRs, James McGruer designed 15, including the first in 1951 and the last in 1968. During the 1960s, the 8mCRs were the most actively competed of the Clyde classes and they continued to have a class start on the Clyde until 1975. OWNER’S COMMENTS: It has been a pleasure to be custodian of Inismara for some 25 years. We have tried to retain the character and originality, minimising any modernisation of fittings and systems. She is a joy to sail in all weathers, in our 25+ years of ownership we have never had to reef the main, she just digs deeper and thunders on. There is nowhere better in the world to enjoy a fine dram than in the cockpit at the end of a good day's sailing. CONSTRUCTION Hull Construction: Carvel Teak planking below the waterline Carvel Mahogany planking on topsides Laminated hardwood wood keel, stem and sternpost Laminated frames Steamed Oak and Elm timbers Metal strap floors – removed, galvanised, plastic coated and re-fitted with isolating membrane Topsides finished in single-pack satin green paint White boot top Underwater hull finished in red antifouling Deck & Superstructure Construction: Hardwood beamshelf Hardwood carling Harwood deck beams Laminated hardwood knees Marine plywood subdeck Swept laid teak deck – thickness survey available on request Mahogany covering boards and toerails finished in varnish Mahogany coachroof sides finished in varnish Marine plywood coachroof top, sheathed and finished in off-white non-slip deck paint Mahogany cockpit and coamings Portlights bonded to coachroof sides with decorative chromed bronze frames Hardwood deck hatches, glazed with polycarbonate and finished externally with brushed stainless steel decorative frame Keel & Rudder: Lead ballast keel Bronze keel bolts – checked in 1995 as part of recommissioning Laminated hardwood rudder Bronze rudder stock MACHINERY Engine & gearbox: Bukh DV36 marine diesel engine (1985) 36hp 3 cylinder, naturally aspirated, indirectly cooled Mechanical reversing marine gearbox Engine panel with gauges for RPM, oil pressure, temperature, engine hours Maintenance & Performance: Recorded engine running hours 1,290hrs Cruising speed under engine 7kts Propulsion & Steering: Stainless steel propshaft Stuffing type sterngland with remote greaser Two-blade bronze folding propellor Laminated hardwood tiller, finished in a gloss varnish ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS Voltage systems: 12VDC onboard power system 230VAC shore power/inverter system Shore Power System: Extension lead to connect to shore supply Single 16 amp connection point 3 pin UK sockets, battery charger Battery Banks: Engine Battery – 1x 12VDC, 120Ah, lead acid Domestic Battery – 1x 12VDC, 120Ah, lead acid Battery Monitor: Voltmeter on engine dash panel Charging: 230VAC – 12VDC battery charger Alternators: Single engine driven alternator Other Electrical: 12VDC sockets at switch panel and chart table PLUMBING SYSTEMS Fresh Water: Manually pump cold fresh water system Taps in galley and heads Salt Water: Manually pumped tap in galley Bilge Pumps: Manual Bilge Pump Electric Bilge Pump TANKAGE Fuel: Single diesel tank Approximate capacity 45ltrs / 10 gallons Fresh Water: Single fresh water tank Approximate capacity 113ltrs / 25 gallons NAVIGATION & COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT On Deck: Depth – Raymarine ST60 Speed/Log – Autohelm ST50 Wind – Autohelm ST50 At Chart Table: GPS – Furuno GP31 Magnetic Compass Communications Equipment: VHF – Husun 60 VHF DOMESTIC EQUIPMENT Galley: Cooker – two burner and grill, gimbal mounted gas cooker Stainless steel sink Fresh cold water tap Extractor fan in galley Heads: Toilet – Jabsco manual marine toilet Wash hand basin Cold water tap Lighting: Original overhead and bulkhead mounted lighting fittings throughout Reading lights over saloon settees to port and starboard ACCOMMODATION Summary of Accommodation: Sail locker forward Fo’c’sle with two single berths Heads Saloon providing two occasional single berths Nav Station Galley Quarter berth Accommodation Finish: As built interior with original finishes in most place Door furniture and hinges all replaced in 1995 with as-built fittings, ex-stock from McGruers Mahogany joinery work finished in a gloss varnish Mahogany soleboards finished in a satin varnish Aquamarine, natural cotton, woven fabric for upholstery throughout Deck head and deck beams finished in an eggshell white Hull sides finished with varnish where visible Formica topped gallery work surfaces. Description of Accommodation from Forward: Forward Cabin: Chain locker space forward most Sail locker/storage space between fo’c’sle and chain locker, accessed by crawl through space with deck hatch Two single berths outboard to port and starboard Single seat located between berths forward Pull out shelves below seat for glasses Standing room between berths aft. Drawers and storage lockers beneath seat and bunks Hanging locker aft of port bunk outboard Heads: Located to starboard side at aft end of aft cabin Manual marine toilet located outboard aft. Pull out stainless steel wash hand basin above toilet outboard with cold water tap Vanity lockers above outboard Saloon: Bench seating to port and starboard sides of saloon Both settees converting to provide occasional single berths Centrally mounted, double drop leaf saloon table with central bottle storage compartment Storage lockers outboard of port settee forward and aft with centrally located bookshelf ‘Ships Bar’ locker forward of port settee Locker outboard of starboard settee forward with bookshelf running aft, GPS and VHF mounted at aft end of bookshelf Settee back rests folding down to access storage locker space outboard Nav Station: Compact countertop unit aft of starboard settee providing chart working space. Worktop designed to hold laptop computer, laptop available. Fold-up section to extend working space forward Storage drawers beneath countertop Storage locker outboard Serial connection for laptop to connect to GPS data Galley: To port, aft of saloon Gimbal-mounted gas cooker forward Inset stainless steel sink aft Pull-out section of worktop located beneath cooker providing preparation space Crockery storage rack outboard of cooker Locker outboard of sink Storage drawers and lockers beneath galley unit Quarter Berth: Located to port side of companionway aft of galley. Single seat/storage unit opposite to starboard Storage locker forward of seat with countertop above. DECK EQUIPMENT Rig: Deck stepped, single spreader, fractionally rigged sloop Gold anodised alloy mast and spars, manufactured by Proctor Masts Stainless steel standing rigging Harken roller reefing system on forestay On-Boom roller reefing mainsail with kicker strap Block and tackle kicker Spinnaker pole Winches: Primary Winches – 2x Lewmar, 2-speed winches (original fitment) Secondary Winches – 2x Gibb, 2-speed winches (original fitment) Mast Mounted Halyard Winch – 1x Lewmar 40 Mainsail Halyard Winch – Merriman winch by Francis Shaw & Co. Ltd Sails: Mainsail – White Dacron, on-boom roller reefing. Nicholson Hughes, 2005 Genoa – White Dacon, roller reefing, 130%. Nicholson Hughes, 2005 Spinnaker Canvas Work: Mainsail cover Anchoring & Mooring: Bower Anchor – 35lb CQR anchor on 60m chain rode Kedge Anchor – Fisherman-type anchor Electric Anchor Windlass – Lofrans Cayman 88 electric windlass with chain gypsy and warping drum Fenders – Selection Mooring Warps – Selection Boat Hook Tender: Zodiac inflatable dinghy, round tail for rolling up to stow in locker Navigation Lights: Masthead Tri-colour Steaming light Low Level running lights – original fitment SL items General: Double stainless steel bow roller Stainless steel pulpit rail Deck mounted stainless steel stanchions supporting double tier stainless steel guardwires Guardwire gate to starboard, immediately forward of cockpit Stainless steel pulpit rail Centrally mounted traditional teak and chromed bronze mooring cleat forward Anchor windlass mounted on foredeck aft of mooring cleat 3 wooden deck hatches re-built in current ownership, glazed in polycarbonate with decorative stainless steel frame to finish Bronze genoa tracks mounted on toerail with original fitment genoa cars Mahogany cockpit coaming wrapping around cockpit with primary and secondary winches mounted on plinths outboard of coamins Locker beneath port forward cockpit seat Teak grating fitted over original, self-draining cockpit sole Centrally mounted traditional teak and chromed bronze mooring cleat on aft deck DISCLAIMER In this case we are acting as brokers only. The Owner is not selling in the course of a business. whilst every care has been taken in their preparation , the correctness of these particulars is not guaranteed. The Purchaser is strongly advised to check the particulars and where appropriate at their expense to employ a qualified Marine Surveyor to carry out a survey and/or to have an engine trial conducted which if conducted by us shall not imply any liability for such engine on our part. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice

Change History

2 events tracked

Spec updated: boat_type (motor -> Sail)

via MC Yachts

2 hours ago

New listing appeared

via MC Yachts

14 hours ago

Financing Calculator

Financing Calculator

Estimate the true monthly cost of owning the 1963 McGruer 8m Cruiser Racer.

£
15% (£8,850)
10% 50%
6.9%
4.9% 9.9%
Monthly Finance Payment
£580
£50,150 over 10 years at 6.9% APR

Monthly Running Costs (estimated)

Mooring / berthing £438
Insurance £74
Maintenance £157
Fuel £67
Running costs subtotal £735/mo
True Monthly Cost
£1,315
Finance + running costs combined
Finance 44% Running costs 56%
Total Interest
£19,414
Total Cost (finance)
£78,414

Can I afford this?

£

These are estimates for illustration only. Actual rates, terms, and running costs will vary. Always seek independent financial advice before committing to marine finance.

Looking for marine finance? We are working with finance partners to offer quotes directly. Check back soon.

At ~£580/mo, is this boat priced right?

Get the full deal report →

Transport Cost Estimator

Transport Estimate

Estimate the cost of transporting the 1963 McGruer 8m Cruiser Racer to your marina.

Boat location
Argyll, United Kingdom

Select your destination above to see transport estimates.

Indicative estimate only. Actual costs may vary. Road distances are approximated. Crane lift and haulage costs depend on boat weight, beam, and access. Always obtain quotes from specialist boat transport companies before committing.

Before you commit, get the full picture on this boat.

Get the Pre-Purchase Report →
£59,000
Listed by MC Yachts Direct
Not enough data
View on MC Yachts
Last checked 2 hours ago

Is this boat a good deal?

Get the full price history, market comparison, and red flags, before you commit.

What this boat is actually worth, based on market data
What to offer: what similar boats actually sell for
Red flags to watch for: relisting history, unusual price movements, broker red flags
Whether the price will drop further, based on trajectory and seasonal data
How it compares to 10-20 similar boats, with prices to benchmark against

Full intelligence on a 5-figure purchase, for less than filling your fuel tank to go see it.

Get alerted if the price drops

Create a free account to track this boat and get notified when the price changes, new photos are added, or the listing is updated.

Sign up free to track this boat

No credit card required

Negotiation Tracker

Sign up for Pro to track offers, get market intelligence, and compare boats.

See Pro Features