QBhoy
Well-Known Member
Today a friend heard a vicious rumour that fletcher are making another go at it ? Anyone heard similar ? Hope so
Fletcher boats back in business maybe ?
- Thread starter QBhoy
- Start date
Assassin
Well-Known Member
I have heard about tenth hand that someone was interested in buying the rights to the name and this was late last year, buying the rights to the name really means nothing as they could own it and simply sit on it, and it didn't mean that were buying the tooling and beginning to produce boats again; heard nothing since until I saw your posting.
QBhoy
Well-Known Member
He had a picture of the factory with doors opened and taking delivery of goods. Soon see
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
A member of one of the Fletcher groups on F/B has seen the new facility and there are boats 'in build' - not sure if these are new or finishing off of some they purchased when they bought the company. Watch this space I think... 
QBhoy
Well-Known Member
It’s apparently official. Building 16 and 19ft hulls currently...apparently.
QBhoy
Well-Known Member
Was hoping they had kept keen on the wonderful 17ft arrowbeau hull. An amazing hull that. Had the rare ability to see over 60, sometimes close to 70mph with a big V6 outboard, bit also have fine sea keeping ability too. Don’t often go hand in hand, those two.
TheOrs
Well-Known Member
Surprised by the 16ft one; that's usually an Arrowsport & they haven't made that for years.
Hot Property
Well-Known Member
Will be interesting to see if they are all outboard versions as the market has shifted away from sterndrives for sports boats in the last few years....
One could also presumably buy a hull only to fit your engine of choice.
One could also presumably buy a hull only to fit your engine of choice.
petem
Well-Known Member
At the upper end of Fletcher's range (24ft) some people still like sterndirves but I agree that the market is moving towards outboards.
Anyhow, it's great news if Fletcher are back in business but I think they need to release some new models rather than rely on fie hard fans to buy the old stuff. Will be very interesting to see what they do as the 25ft market has moved on e.g. Axopar.
Anyhow, it's great news if Fletcher are back in business but I think they need to release some new models rather than rely on fie hard fans to buy the old stuff. Will be very interesting to see what they do as the 25ft market has moved on e.g. Axopar.
Firefly625
Well-Known Member
dead right... would last another 5 minutes building old arrowsports and the like..
QBhoy
Well-Known Member
One of the reasons quoted for them going out of business was apparently that the boats they built lasted too long. No return business. Wish them all the best but they need to think of something new to compete with the cheaper and perhaps flashier American boats. Some first time buyers don’t care much for seakeeping and quality and will pick the flashy showy one all day.
Boating girl
New Member
Hi I know I'm late to jump on this thread but does anyone's know how to tell the year of a flectcher I have a serial number stamped on the stern near the outboard but it isn't a hin number. The boat is a bravo 130 black max arrow sprint with green and purple graphics. Only just brought it and wanting to know the year for insurance purposes. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
Up until 1998 the numbers were in the format llnnnyy so length designation first, hull number and year. e.g. 19067191 would be 19', hull 671, made 1991. Some boats have a small black plastic rectangle on the console with this info, some on transom too. After 1998 the recreational craft directive determined HIN numbers (Hull Identification Number) the last three numbers will then also represent year, but the first was year started and last two that of completion - more here: https://www.boatshedsupport.com/article/90-hin-hull-identification-numbers
Hot Property
Well-Known Member
Rumour has it that Fletcher are asking if they can borrow the bow covers for 17&19 ft boats so they can make a mould....
Thought they may have wanted to exhibit at SIBS this year if ready to "launch" the new product.
It will be interesting to see what they are making!
Thought they may have wanted to exhibit at SIBS this year if ready to "launch" the new product.
It will be interesting to see what they are making!
Beamishken
Well-Known Member
Lets hope they intend building some new models, relying on 20 year old moulds and designs is a recipe for disaster. Cant revive a dinosaur and expect it to flourish
skipper681
Well-Known Member
Fletcher made a lot of good models. I hope you are right and they are making a comeback.
Kind regards
Skip
Kind regards
Skip
TheOrs
Well-Known Member
I think they could get away with that on the smaller (non cabin) boats. The hulls are still perfectly usable. If they updated the trim, added modern outboards & built to a high standard of quality they would be competitive if the price was right.
I'm just not sure anyone is buying small sports-boats anymore?
Beamishken
Well-Known Member
Isnt that why they went bust in the first place? I'd say they are doomed to fail without drastically modifying the range, the planing areas may be ok basis for ribs but the decks are too old hat nowadays
Offshore57
Well-Known Member
My first boat was a Fletcher Arrow.......in mustard yellow......loved it.
