The Sea Scouts of the Kestrel The story of a cruise of adventure & pluck in a small yacht on the English Channel

Peter Craddock and his fellow “Otters” have been left adrift after a storm wrecked their beloved yacht and their Scoutmaster fell ill. With the national Sea Scouts’ Jamboree looming, the troop must find a way to compete without a vessel, and a surprising opportunity appears: a sturdy ex‑naval launch sitting idle in a remote Cornish inlet. The boys rally together, pooling their savings and skills, and set off on a daring trip to Falmouth to claim the boat and begin a hasty conversion.

Back in their hometown, the scouts throw themselves into the work, learning the ropes of ship‑building under the watchful eyes of local fishermen. Their enthusiasm is matched only by the occasional obstacle—most notably the reluctant presence of a notorious local tough. As the launch takes shape, the boys discover that the real adventure lies not just in the sea ahead, but in the friendships forged and the perseverance needed to turn a battered hull into a proud new home for the “Otters.