Fletcher 19 GTO

[Warpa]

I have pretty much narrowed this down as my next boat hopefully for next season here in the Solent with a nice 5.7 merc IB.

After chatting with the present Mrs Warpa we, well i was saying that we are going to get bored of being restricted to the Solent. Take the conditions we had last sunday for the Clipper start, not sure what force wind it was but if any can add what it was im interested, but that was too uncomfortable to be fun. Sure i loved it and am happy to fly around in all directions riding the waves, but this a family sport not mine

Would the 19 GTO be able to power over to the IOW or down to Highcliff so we can enjoy some nice beaches instead of being stuck on the boat?

I know some will want to reply and say if im going to spend 10k why not get an older 22' etc, im not ready to go to that size and still tow it from time to time, even if my truck can tow 3 tonne i still dont want bigger.

Plus its going to be worse on fuel, mooring charges etc so not interested yet

PS I have been in contact with an owner of one here who is more than happy, but his is in Spain

 

[landlockedpirate]

The Fletcher is an excellent choice, but the biggest engine they did was the 4.3L V6. WOT was 40-45kts depending on load and prop, 10-20gph mixed running and just over 1gph on the river.

The deep V hull and relatively narrow beam will give you the best performance of a 19 footer out there, it will take a lot more than your bowrider, but it still gets uncomfy in short confused seas.

The Fletcher is a great choice for compact cruising, we covered most of the UK with our 19

Just an excuse for some pictures really

North Wales

Cornwall

Solent

Buy and good 1 and look after it, you will always get your money back when you decide to go bigger

 

[Beyondhelp]

Had a Fletcher 165GTO with a merc 140 on the back. It would regularly clock 50mph on the GPS. Absolutely amazing fun. Last year did a complete lap of the IOW. And went to the IOW about 4-5 times in all. (from Langstone harbour mostly) Now moved onto a new project, but really miss this boat.

You wont go wrong with it

Oh and I cant help myself with a few pics too:

Trip I took around the IOW.

@Cowes.

The Needles.

Bembridge Harbour.

Folly Inn

White Cliff Bay.

Summary! Do it, you won't regret it.

 

[lovezoo]

The Fletcher is an excellent choice, but the biggest engine they did was the 4.3L V6. WOT was 40-45kts depending on load and prop, 10-20gph mixed running and just over 1gph on the river.

10-20gph? I use nearer to 6 gph cruising with my 4.3EFI - top speed over 50MPH with a 21" prop.

No idea what the consumption is flat out though.

 

[colingr]

Had a Fletcher 165GTO with a merc 140 on the back. It would regularly clock 50mph on the GPS. Absolutely amazing fun. Last year did a complete lap of the IOW. And went to the IOW about 4-5 times in all. (from Langstone harbour mostly) Now moved onto a new project, but really miss this boat.
.

I recognize that trip

And can certainly vouch for the fun you guys had in the Fletcher

 

[Beyondhelp]

 

[landlockedpirate]

10-20gph? I use nearer to 6 gph cruising with my 4.3EFI - top speed over 50MPH with a 21" prop.

No idea what the consumption is flat out though.

The carb versions are not as economical, but I agree, cruising at 24kts we got about 7gph. Mixed use included lots of WOT and watersports

 

[rbcoomer]

Hi Warpa,

Good choice! Look forward to seeing you at next year's South West Fletcher Rally then?

If you are interested, a few of us are planning a mini-meet in Torbay on 10th/11th September - weather permitting. Only an informal gathering of about 6 boats at the moment and not all Fletchers so you're welcome to come along if you want. A friend of mine will be there with his Fletcher 19GTO. We'll probably do a few runs along the coast etc and incorporate a few watering holes along the way...

PM for details if interested.

Robin

 

[gjgm]

I have pretty much narrowed this down as my next boat hopefully for next season here in the Solent with a nice 5.7 merc IB.

After chatting with the present Mrs Warpa we, well i was saying that we are going to get bored of being restricted to the Solent. Take the conditions we had last sunday for the Clipper start, not sure what force wind it was but if any can add what it was im interested, but that was too uncomfortable to be fun. Sure i loved it and am happy to fly around in all directions riding the waves, but this a family sport not mine

Would the 19 GTO be able to power over to the IOW or down to Highcliff so we can enjoy some nice beaches instead of being stuck on the boat?

I know some will want to reply and say if im going to spend 10k why not get an older 22' etc, im not ready to go to that size and still tow it from time to time, even if my truck can tow 3 tonne i still dont want bigger.

Plus its going to be worse on fuel, mooring charges etc so not interested yet

PS I have been in contact with an owner of one here who is more than happy, but his is in Spain

Sunday,especially Sunday morning was unusually sharp in the Solent, though by the race start it was ok.
Not alot to be done about the Solent chop, but a bit of timing re wind/tide and your direction with/against that, can take some sting out. You just have to choose your days, but within the same hull form (broadly) bigger will always be more comfy against the chop.

 

[Warpa]

Is that the fletcher i have seen on youtube in the solent and heading from the IOW to Pompey coughscummer

That looks lower in the water than mine, would **** myself going around the island lol I have an alleged 92 mile range in ideal conditions, no idea how many miles that would be

 

[colingr]

60 miles Cowes to Cowes. We did Southampton to Southampton which was 80 all in. No he wad heading for Hamble point.

 

[Beyondhelp]

My GPS clocked 110 miles and I used 117 if i recall (would need to check) Litres of fuel.

It was not a big hull, so does look low, however open it up and it flies so it didn't matter None of the others could catch me eh Joka hahaha

Was a great boat, learnt a lot with it, did a huge amount too it, but ultimately wanted something a little bigger and more flexible. If I could however keep both, I would in an instant. It was like a go-kart on water.

 

[markcw]

We went to fishcombe cove yesterday for a beach day, and for sone reasion there were lots of Fletchers around over that way, 2x 19 gto moored up in the hot humid sun, very nice looking boats.

Before we brought our 21 cuddy we looked at the fletcher as that was my last boat an fltch arrows streak and was a cracking boat, but being foolish we traveled to cumbria to buy it, got up there after 9 hours drive, when viewing it the wrap around windscreen was missing

Cut a long story short, we came away with the boat a an extra £1000 in our pocket which was spent getting the engine running correctly, i got home and the very next day sat about trying to get another full windscreen for it, 1 year later is was still trying to find a windscreen, Fletcher at the time had gone bust sold it to sps trailers and they had lost all the diagrames for the windscreens on alot of the boat inc mine. so in the end i had to hand make one which took ages.

My point is make sure everying is there with the boat which came with the boat new, if any thing is missing reduce what you would pay, There are lots out there but getting hold of bits i found very hard,

I trailer a 21ft cuddy with my landy and would happily now trailer bigger again i think 19ft is a great happy medium size to trailer about with ease and you wont have limited slipway use like i am finding with my 21ft wellcraft , on a 27ft trailer.

I found my Fletcher was great to do river stuff or out to sea, prety sure you would be happy with it and money well spent and they are a nice looking boat.

 

[lovezoo]

FYI the 19 GTO is the Outboard version, the 19 GTS is the Sterndrive version.

 

[colingr]

It was not a big hull, so does look low, however open it up and it flies so it didn't matter None of the others could catch me eh Joka hahaha

don't know what you mean

 

[oGaryo]

Would the 19 GTO be able to power over to the IOW or down to Highcliff so we can enjoy some nice beaches instead of being stuck on the boat?

not a problem.. this is my old 19GTS with 3l inboard having a play on route to Cowes from Lymington last year

 

[Warpa]

not a problem.. this is my old 19GTS with 3l inboard having a play on route to Cowes from Lymington last year

Nice vid I love the look of the boat and im thinking it will be a long search to get the one i want, must be an inboard and have a full camper canopy which does seem to come with most. I also have an engineer who will be looking it over to make sure its been looked after.

Shame i cant upgrade this season, but at least i will have all winter to machine polish mine again and detail the inside. maybe get it on the market for March unlees i get rid of it at the end of the season

ideally i should sell in May and buy in the winter, but that will mean being boatless for a season and that aint going to happen

 

[matt13]

It was not a big hull, so does look low, however open it up and it flies so it didn't matter None of the others could catch me eh Joka hahaha

proof that none of us could catch you, at about 3:28 minutes in you fly past!

 

[andyjcox1]

I'm also looking to buy one of these, either 3ltr or outboard version. If someone knows of a good one for sale I have a budget of £10K