Fletcher Arrowbolt 21 - any opinions?

[Steve_D]

Still on the lookout for a small boat. There is a 5 year old Arrowbolt for sale at what sounds like a reasonable price. Anyone with any opinions?

It has the 5.7L Mercruiser, whats the fuel consumption likely to be like cruising at say 30 knots I suspect it'll drink fuel going flat out.

Any opinions gratefully received

Regards

Steve D

 

[Piers]

My first boat was a 21' Arrowbolt which I bought from Quay Marine on the Hamble - some 15 years ago. Called her Rebels Only.

Well, reminiscing (spelling?) over, she had a 175 Yamaha outboard which drank between 10 and 15 gallons an hour flat out.

Your engine consumption should be available from Mercruiser, i.e., given flat out, at max revs = x gallons an hour.

Handling-wise, great boat. But don't be led to think she's anything but a large sportboat, not a cruiser.

Piers du Pré
www.playdeau.com

 

[BarryD]

Coming round the South coast last year I managed 17gph out a 5.7 MerCruiser and cruised between 18 and 24Kts. OK it was a heavier boat and not ideal conditions but I'd have thought that somewhere between 13 and 15 Gph would be anticipated. Even more so if you don't use the trim (drive/tabs) correctly!

So you unscrew this, and put it safely here, then oopps...
All - IMHO, BTW, FWIW and NWGOI

 

[Steve_D]

Thanks Guys

Not really looking for a cruiser as such, more of a day boat that we can occasionally camp on if neccessary. There are plenty of cheap hotels around the french ports I'm gonna frequent so a cuddy is fine.

Regards

Steve D

 

[Steve_D]

Re: Fletcher Arrowbolt 21 - fuel consumption

'been on the mercruiser site, couldn't find any info on fuel consumption. There is on the yamaha site but that doesn't help much.

Thanks

Steve D

 

[DepSol]

Re: Fletcher Arrowbolt 21 - fuel consumption

Is that the one in this weekends paper? I heard that he will go another £1k down if required. Not a bad buy altho I havent seen it myself could be worth picking up cheap then using it as a trade in.

Sea Ventures have a Beneteau Flyer 701 in good nick.

Dom

I am boating again ;-)

 

[Steve_D]

Re: Fletcher Arrowbolt 21 - fuel consumption

Thats the one. I know someone who's seen it and says its pretty clean, but I'll need to get over for a look. The price seems pretty good as its got all the extras, a sight more sensible than the 19GTO I've been looking at.

There's no mad panic so if its the right one, great, if not then I'm sure it will be along soon.

Maybe I'll wait till the banks leave there will be plenty s/h boats around then. I should be able to run one on my dole money ;-)

Regards

Steve D

 

[DepSol]

Re: Fletcher Arrowbolt 21 - fuel consumption

is it worth waiting that long to get on the water??

Dom

I am boating again ;-)

 

[Steve_D]

Re: Fletcher Arrowbolt 21 - fuel consumption

MMMMMM...... maybe not

Steve D

 

[MRC]

I bought a brand new fletcher 21 (i think it was called an arrowbolt) in 1999 traded up last year after 3 seasons use. Loved it, never had any serious problems with it either. I had it fitted with 5.7EFI and although it went well, it sucked the juice as if it was going out of fashion, for that reason I sort of wished I had gone for the 4.3l. The real reason being was that I found that the fuel tank was just too small and was forever filling up with petrol.

Cuddy was useful for overnight or even just for storing ski's, wakeboards etc etc. Camper covers were easy to erect. the boat handled really well even in a slight chop. I used to keep mine in dry racks in Poole harbour and used it throgout the year. Trim tabs would have been a nice addition as once the wind got under the chines it really leant over and made it hard to navigate a rough sea.

value for money it was superb.

mike.

 

[AJW]

Mate had one & sold it last year. Build quality OK - hull solid enough but stupid little self tappers holding bits on fall off in time. Great hull design, does lean into the wind a lot though as said. Let down for me by atrocious ergonomics of moulded in well thingy beneath drivers seat that meant you couldn't stand up and drive without one foot precariously balanced. So sitty down in the rough and sore bum and back is the order of the day. Mind you I prefer me boats with jockey seats and nice rubber rings round 'em so I'm biased! 5.7 Merc good for 50mphish and V thirsty but since you live in the CI(?) and have dirt cheap petrol whats the bother?!

 

[Geoffs]

Re: Fletcher Arrowbolt 21 - fuel consumption

Told you months ago you didn'y want an outboard, much better off with inboard/stern drive, IMHO /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

Old Chinese proverb 'Man who sail boat into rice field, soon get into paddy'

 

[Steve_D]

Re: Fletcher Arrowbolt 21 - fuel consumption

I know, I know, I did hear you, but they tend to be a bit more expensive up front if buying new and that pushed them way off my budget, hence looking at o/b.

I still haven't seen it myself yet so it may not be the right one for me but everyones input is much apreciated.

Regards

Steve D

 

[NorthernWave]

I used to have a Fletcher 238 with twin mercruiser 3.7 4 cylinders
Gorgeous boat and very sea worthy.
Very economical considering two engines (apparantly the 4 cylinder was good for that) probably did about the same an hour as my Sea Ray 180 did with the 4.3 Merc V6
Nice one for sale at Power Craft World on Hayling Island at the Moment. (looks like a baby sunseeker in dark blue)
I was always happy with the boat and the cost of parts was always very reasonable compared to the sea ray.


Relaxation starts at the pontoon gate