Custom Jetstar 520

Now available at Jaykay Marine Sales, a rare and collectible V6 jet racing boat, a 1973 Jetstar 520 17ft, with a 3.0 litre Ford Essex and Castoldi 05 jet drive. This Jetstar 520 jet boat has been restored and upgraded for marine use. Built by Bluebird Marine just one of 12 known examples left from the 112 manufactured. Apparently designed by the late Donald Campbell (Bluebird) it has a brilliantly designed deep-Vee GRP hull in white. With a top speed of 45 knots.

In the 70’s Marlborough and Heineken raced these boats – But not this actual boat…

With seating for 5, the padded back rest can be used to create a full-length sunbed and seating for 2 in the bucket seats.

3.0 litre, unleaded (stage one 185bhp) Essex V6, refurbished and powder coated Castoldi 05 jet drive, new Castoldi heat exchanger and custom-made stainless steel exhaust manifolds, headers and footers (No silencers) with 2 x exhausts below the waterline.

The current owner has owned her for the past 13 years with very limited use.

The 1973 Jetstar 520 is currently on its trailer in our main display and is available for viewings. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions and to arrange your viewing.

The vendor has informed us of the following servicing and maintenance:

• Re-wired electrics with BlueSea components and heat shrink connections. 2x battery boxes (1x battery missing), switches, dual charge relay, battery level meter, 12v socket. Refurbished Smiths dials with chrome bezels (Fuel, Speedo (knots/mph), Oil Pressure, Water temperature, Amp meter) Switches and controls for bilge pump, fuel pump, air horn, and navigation lights.
• Professionally rebuilt 3.0 litre, unleaded (stage one 185bhp) Essex V6, refurbished and powder coated Castoldi 05 jet drive, new Castoldi heat exchanger and custom-made stainless steel exhaust manifolds, headers and footers (No silencers) with 2 x exhausts below the waterline.

Despite its age, parts from Ford and Castoldi are still available.

• Galvanised steel petrol tank, 20 gallons. Filled from the foredeck.
• Chromed navigation lights.
• New sacrificial anodes.
• New bilge pump.
• Safety kill switch on ignition.
• Supplied with large history file and original sales brochures etc.

Upgrades:

• Custom-made Stainless-Steel exhaust manifolds both with sacrificial anodes, headers and footers.
• Hull and top deck professionally bonded and riveted together.
• Fuel pump and filter
• Original rope pulley steering changed to hydraulic steering.
• Automatic fire extinguisher in engine bay.
• fusion audio system, 2x 120W speakers, Amp 120W & iPod connection. 
• New high-pressure oil hoses and Lloyds approved exhaust hoses
• Air horns

The 1973 Jetstar 520 is currently on its trailer in our main display and is available for viewings. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions and to arrange your viewing.

The specification includes:

• Ford Essex 3.0Litre V6 engine
• Castoldi 05 Jetdrive
• Fusion sound system
• 2x batteries with isolator
• Separate pilot and navigator seats
• Rear bench seat
• Electric bilge pump
• Cockpit carpet
• Ski mirror
• Nav lights
• Bathing ladder (aft
• 4x Nautic self-inflate life jackets (need servicing).
• Fenders – 2x pencil, 3x ball style, 1x folding anchor, handheld extinguisher, ropes, oars, hand bilge pump, stainless steel flagpole and ensign.
• Low double axel launching trailer, with spare wheel, wheellock, hitch lock. Not used for marine launching by the vendor. There is some rust, the handbrake was replaced in 2023.
• The tonneau cover - would be benefit from some TLC.
• The boat is supplied with lots of spare parts including the original alloy (fresh water) manifolds, headers and footers, exhausts outlets, original castoldi heater exchanger, spare bucket for the jet drive and lots of parts.
• The winter cover is end of life and will be supplied for free to use as a template.

The 1973 Jetstar 520 is currently on its trailer in our main display and is available for viewings. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions and to arrange your viewing.