Fletcher sportscruiser 19 owners

[QBhoy]

Just to update on mine…now have baystar hydraulic steering. What a difference. Also raised the engine height too. She performs so well for what she is now. Just incredible on fuel too.
Diesel heater fitted, also makes things all the nicer up here. Great wee boat

 

[QBhoy]

Do you have a leak too? My hatch was leaking but the seal was just sitting incorrectly, seems to be fixed if no one opens it again ? my main leak seems to be the rub rail, have water gathering in the boxes under the seats, when I shine a light up in its dripping down from rub rail area in heavy rain.

Ah. Got you. Yeah, one of the guys above mentioned a fox for the bow leak. I have a leak at the transom. Where the metal beading is around the outboard well. Easy fix I think. No idea if mine is leaking at the bow. I don’t have hatches under the seats in the cabin. Thanks for the under floor pics. Ideal.

 

[Ryc737]

Ah. Got you. Yeah, one of the guys above mentioned a fox for the bow leak. I have a leak at the transom. Where the metal beading is around the outboard well. Easy fix I think. No idea if mine is leaking at the bow. I don’t have hatches under the seats in the cabin. Thanks for the under floor pics. Ideal.

Boat looks great! Mine is a 115 Yamaha, a bit underpowered compared to the merc 115, but I wonder if engine height would make a difference to mine? And a prop change?
No sorry, I don’t have hatches under the cabin seats either, it’s back in the cockpit under the seats there but I’m assuming it’s pretty much the whole rubrail is leaking. Must check my metal corners inside to see if they are leaking also.
The previous owner said it was hard to lift the floor because of the sealant, he replaced the sealant with sealing strips just so it’s easy to lift again

 

[Hot Property]

Boat looks great! Mine is a 115 Yamaha, a bit underpowered compared to the merc 115, but I wonder if engine height would make a difference to mine? And a prop change?
No sorry, I don’t have hatches under the cabin seats either, it’s back in the cockpit under the seats there but I’m assuming it’s pretty much the whole rubrail is leaking. Must check my metal corners inside to see if they are leaking also.
The previous owner said it was hard to lift the floor because of the sealant, he replaced the sealant with sealing strips just so it’s easy to lift again

115 hp is 115 hp regardless of engine manufacture.

2 strokes deliver power differently than 4 strokes but hp is hp!

How much is your ventilation plate above your keel line?

I gained 3 knots raising the engine on my 19 GTO sports cruiser by one hole!

 

[Ryc737]

115 hp is 115 hp regardless of engine manufacture.

2 strokes deliver power differently than 4 strokes but hp is hp!

How much is your ventilation plate above your keep line?

I gained 3 knots raising the engine on my 19 GTO sports cruiser by one hole!

Yours is 4 stroke? So is my 115 Yamaha it’s an F115 at the min, with hood up, it’s maxing out at 37mph. I’ll have to measure to see the plate height at the min, what is your ventilation plate above the keel line now?
Although they aren’t really for speed it would be nice to have a little more available if needed! If I could get to 40mph easily I’d be happy!
How was the diesel heater install? You stayed on the boat overnight much or just use it during the day for a bit of warmth?

 

[QBhoy]

115 hp is 115 hp regardless of engine manufacture.

2 strokes deliver power differently than 4 strokes but hp is hp!

How much is your ventilation plate above your keep line?

I gained 3 knots raising the engine on my 19 GTO sports cruiser by one hole!

I’d normally agree with you hot property…but these new merc 115’s have gained a reputation now for being very obviously more than the 115hp on the engine. They are more like 130hp on a bad day. Few guys have proven them to be. They actually did a head to head test using the same boats. One with a merc 125hp optimax and the other with the 115. Invited mercury along for the test too. They propped both engines to suit. Amazingly, the 115 just embarrassed the 125 in both acceleration and top end. The way mine performs is just unreal for what it is. Much larger displacement these things have. Enormous difference in performance over the original 115 Yamaha that was on mine and other boats I know of.

 

[QBhoy]

Boat looks great! Mine is a 115 Yamaha, a bit underpowered compared to the merc 115, but I wonder if engine height would make a difference to mine? And a prop change?
No sorry, I don’t have hatches under the cabin seats either, it’s back in the cockpit under the seats there but I’m assuming it’s pretty much the whole rubrail is leaking. Must check my metal corners inside to see if they are leaking also.
The previous owner said it was hard to lift the floor because of the sealant, he replaced the sealant with sealing strips just so it’s easy to lift again

Height set up right definitely made a difference to mine.
just with regards to the leak…when I had my old original hood…it could leak rain water onto the rear seats…that would then run under and through the wooden hatches. Mine didn’t have drain holes in the side areas under there. Had to make some of my own. The older models had drains fitted…but not the later models for some reason.

 

[Hot Property]

I’d normally agree with you hot property…but these new merc 115’s have gained a reputation now for being very obviously more than the 115hp on the engine. They are more like 130hp on a bad day. Few guys have proven them to be. They actually did a head to head test using the same boats. One with a merc 125hp optimax and the other with the 115. Invited mercury along for the test too. They propped both engines to suit. Amazingly, the 115 just embarrassed the 125 in both acceleration and top end. The way mine performs is just unreal for what it is. Much larger displacement these things have. Enormous difference in performance over the original 115 Yamaha that was on mine and other boats I know of.

Yes I agree the displacement of the Merc is 2.1 litres I recall. That will give great low end pull compared to a smaller displacement engine.

I don't have my gto any more...

I have just bought a Honda 100 at the boat show for my rib though!

I was set on buying the Merc 100 for the bigger displacement.

Having had a new bf135 previously I thought I should give the Honda guys a chance to pitch to me.

On hearing my " more displacement" on the Merc engine argument, he reminded me that the 100 honda has VTEC. That threw me and of course that system is a brilliant bit of engineering.

So 1 all to each side.

What swung it was the warranty. Honda's are non declining for 5 years AND you can self service if you use genuine parts and keep good records.

Mercury required a full dealer service record which will be a significant cost over 5 years.

Servicing isn't rocket science to me.

I will report on how the engine performs in the coming months. 4,500 rpm will be my favourite place! (VTEC kicks in then)

 

[QBhoy]

Yours is 4 stroke? So is my 115 Yamaha it’s an F115 at the min, with hood up, it’s maxing out at 37mph. I’ll have to measure to see the plate height at the min, what is your ventilation plate above the keel line now?
Although they aren’t really for speed it would be nice to have a little more available if needed! If I could get to 40mph easily I’d be happy!
How was the diesel heater install? You stayed on the boat overnight much or just use it during the day for a bit of warmth?

Yeah. It’s the new model Mercury/mariner 115ct 4 stroke.
Agree they aren’t meant to be speed machines..there are hooks in the hull at the rear, each side. Great for planing quickly and for keeping the bow in the water at displacement speeds…but also hold the boat back for top end. The hull is not easily lifted, with the hooks forcing it downward.
I can run at or just over 43 gps with an all round performing stainless prop I have, on the rpm limiter at that if I let it.
With another prop I have with more pitch…it can see 45 or just over occasionally gps, but not as happy on fuel cruising speed as the other. Could likely squeeze another mph or two if I had everything out it, hood off and a bit of chop under the hull. Or if she was in the salt water perhaps.It’s more what it does cruising and it’s rough water ability for its size, that impresses me.

 

[QBhoy]

Yes I agree the displacement of the Merc is 2.1 litres I recall. That will give great low end pull compared to a smaller displacement engine.

I don't have my gto any more...

I have just bought a Honda 100 at the boat show for my rib though!

I was set on buying the Merc 100 for the bigger displacement.

Having had a new bf135 previously I thought I should give the Honda guys a chance to pitch to me.

On hearing my " more displacement" on the Merc engine argument, he reminded me that the 100 honda has VTEC. That threw me and of course that system is a brilliant bit of engineering.

So 1 all to each side.

What swung it was the warranty. Honda's are non declining for 5 years AND you can self service if you use genuine parts and keep good records.

Mercury required a full dealer service record which will be a significant cost over 5 years.

Servicing isn't rocket science to me.

I will report on how the engine performs in the coming months. 4,500 rpm will be my favourite place! (VTEC kicks in then)

Sounds a good deal there HP. Not sure about the merc info there though. This engine I have…the marketing talk merc boasted around these things was the very design encouraging self servicing with 5 year warranty upheld as long as proof of genuine parts was used. That’s exactly what I have been doing. I register any maintenance on the smart craft app. It then registers with mercury on their system. Not long ago, one of my smart craft gauges failed. I was sent a replacement in the post under warranty. Fair play i thought.

 

[Hot Property]

Sounds a good deal there HP. Not sure about the merc info there though. This engine I have…the marketing talk merc boasted around these things was the very design encouraging self servicing with 5 year warranty upheld as long as proof of genuine parts was used. That’s exactly what I have been doing. I register any maintenance on the smart craft app. It then registers with mercury on their system. Not long ago, one of my smart craft gauges failed. I was sent a replacement in the post under warranty. Fair play i thought.

In that case Barrus UK need to gen up on their warranty when pitching a sale....

Either way I got a good deal and am looking forward to the sea trial. New baystar steering being fitted too..

 

[QBhoy]

In that case Barrus UK need to gen up on their warranty when pitching a sale....

Either way I got a good deal and am looking forward to the sea trial. New baystar steering being fitted too..

Yeah. Sounds like it. It’s definitely the case. Actively encouraged to self service, in all the mercury marine guff around them.
Im sure your new engine will be just brilliant too. I’ve always been a 2 stroke man. Have far too many old Yamaha in the garage and even a big v6 merc smoker on an old classic boat too. Must admit…these new 4 strokes (or certainly the one I found myself with by chance) are just night and day different from the earlier efforts. The engine I have is actually lighter than the 2 stroke equivalent…despite being a larger displacement engine.
Thing I also like about mine, is the CT gearbox.It’s the gearbox from the larger 150 upward models. Means I can run all the specialist performance props on her.
All that said…I’m certainly glad that I wasn’t the one that had to shell out the money to buy it. Was lucky enough to get the boat with only 18 hours on the new engine. She was only used once or twice after being run in. Then I got her. The receipts for the new engine and smart craft gauges etc…is eye watering !

 

[Bigplumbs]

Yeah. Sounds like it. It’s definitely the case. Actively encouraged to self service, in all the mercury marine guff around them.
Im sure your new engine will be just brilliant too. I’ve always been a 2 stroke man. Have far too many old Yamaha in the garage and even a big v6 merc smoker on an old classic boat too. Must admit…these new 4 strokes (or certainly the one I found myself with by chance) are just night and day different from the earlier efforts. The engine I have is actually lighter than the 2 stroke equivalent…despite being a larger displacement engine.
Thing I also like about mine, is the CT gearbox.It’s the gearbox from the larger 150 upward models. Means I can run all the specialist performance props on her.
All that said…I’m certainly glad that I wasn’t the one that had to shell out the money to buy it. Was lucky enough to get the boat with only 18 hours on the new engine. She was only used once or twice after being run in. Then I got her. The receipts for the new engine and smart craft gauges etc…is eye watering !

yup those prices are why I stick to my 2 strokes and of course the sound lol

 

[Hot Property]

yup those prices are why I stick to my 2 strokes and of course the sound lol

The boating I do tends to be more adventureous - typical trip is 100 miles plus. Channel islands trip next year so a 200 mile round trip from the Hamble. I dont want to rely on an 18 year old engine to get me there safely despite all the maintenance I have done....

 

[Bigplumbs]

The boating I do tends to be more adventureous - typical trip is 100 miles plus. Channel islands trip next year so a 200 mile round trip from the Hamble. I dont want to rely on an 18 year old engine to get me there safely despite all the maintenance I have done....

But you are relying on a 50 + year old body to make it lol……….. I suspect that outboard was less knackered lol

 

[Hot Property]

But you are relying on a 50 + year old body to make it lol……….. I suspect that outboard was less knackered lol

63 actually but whats 13 years between us!

 

[Bigplumbs]

63 actually but whats 13 years between us!

I was erring on the side of safety………. I am at that scary age 59

 

[Ryc737]

Height set up right definitely made a difference to mine.
just with regards to the leak…when I had my old original hood…it could leak rain water onto the rear seats…that would then run under and through the wooden hatches. Mine didn’t have drain holes in the side areas under there. Had to make some of my own. The older models had drains fitted…but not the later models for some reason.

Would you be able to show me a pic of where your ventilation plate is compared to bottom of the keel?
I must check what prop I have on the Yamaha, probably whatever it came with. Would a stainless one make much difference on a 115?
The leak I haven’t actually noticed much water get in through my cover, mainly at the front and it runs down the helm, onto the floor and out the drains. I seem to have one under seat storage with a drain and one without, the one that holds the removable water tank. Definitely coming through the run rail as in heavy rain can see trickles down the walls inside. It must be all along as when I tip the boat up on the trailer there is a substantial amount of water that runs out.
Has anyone ever got access to the bow eye from inside, mine is a little loose and movement through the years prior to owning it has made the holes slightly bigger, was hoping to update the cabin but fix up the bow eye whilst in there and add a larger strong spreader plate

 

[QBhoy]

Would you be able to show me a pic of where your ventilation plate is compared to bottom of the keel?
I must check what prop I have on the Yamaha, probably whatever it came with. Would a stainless one make much difference on a 115?
The leak I haven’t actually noticed much water get in through my cover, mainly at the front and it runs down the helm, onto the floor and out the drains. I seem to have one under seat storage with a drain and one without, the one that holds the removable water tank. Definitely coming through the run rail as in heavy rain can see trickles down the walls inside. It must be all along as when I tip the boat up on the trailer there is a substantial amount of water that runs out.
Has anyone ever got access to the bow eye from inside, mine is a little loose and movement through the years prior to owning it has made the holes slightly bigger, was hoping to update the cabin but fix up the bow eye whilst in there and add a larger strong spreader plate

I think I have a pic somewhere. I have the AV plate just about or tiny bit less than an inch above the lower line of the keel. Actually considering going another bolt hole higher again over winter. It helped hugely lessen the torque steer. But I fitted hydraulic steering just after or around the same time anyway. Biggest improvement to the boat for sure. Just with the engine I have and props.
Meant to say…my hatch was leaking too..I thought it was that, causing the signs of water running down the roof and sides of cabin. I put vasaline around the seal on it. Worked perfectly and stopped any leaking.
Yet to figure out how to stop water getting in under the windscreen door section though. I ballast the boat a little to port when it’s at the mooring not in use. But under way, into the rain..it comes in still.
I also balanced the boat a little better by relocating the battery to the centre of the boat down there. The original was offset to one side. Bought a big battery box and a bigger 110ah dual purpose battery. Put it in the middle of the area it’s kept. Although these hulls are incredible in the rough water. Being a narrow quote deep sharp hull…down Side is that they are easily unsettled or affected with weight one way or the other. Not helped by the driver seat being inboard compared to the passenger front seat being more outboard. So if you have A driver and a passenger of identical weight..the boat can lean more to the passenger side. Just because they sit more towards the side of the boat. Amplified further occasionally by the water tank, stove and sink all being that side too perhaps. My diesel heating is all port side too.

 

[Ryc737]

I think I have a pic somewhere. I have the AV plate just about or tiny bit less than an inch above the lower line of the keel. Actually considering going another bolt hole higher again over winter. It helped hugely lessen the torque steer. But I fitted hydraulic steering just after or around the same time anyway. Biggest improvement to the boat for sure. Just with the engine I have and props.
Meant to say…my hatch was leaking too..I thought it was that, causing the signs of water running down the roof and sides of cabin. I put vasaline around the seal on it. Worked perfectly and stopped any leaking.
Yet to figure out how to stop water getting in under the windscreen door section though. I ballast the boat a little to port when it’s at the mooring not in use. But under way, into the rain..it comes in still.
I also balanced the boat a little better by relocating the battery to the centre of the boat down there. The original was offset to one side. Bought a big battery box and a bigger 110ah dual purpose battery. Put it in the middle of the area it’s kept. Although these hulls are incredible in the rough water. Being a narrow quote deep sharp hull…down Side is that they are easily unsettled or affected with weight one way or the other. Not helped by the driver seat being inboard compared to the passenger front seat being more outboard. So if you have A driver and a passenger of identical weight..the boat can lean more to the passenger side. Just because they sit more towards the side of the boat. Amplified further occasionally by the water tank, stove and sink all being that side too perhaps. My diesel heating is all port side too.

Going to have a look at where my AV plate is and see if moving it up a hole would give me round where yours is. I take moving it up would prob need a stainless prop due to the cavitation?
Good idea of the Vaseline, going to smear some on mine too!
I was looking to update the wiring a little, did you put the battery in the box in the middle of the floor or just towards the middle under the back seat? And do you just have one battery or a dual set up? On overnights etc how does the single battery cope?
Mine has smart tabs which do seem to keep it pretty level regardless of who’s on either side, they are quite good though I purchased the boat with them fitted so hard to tell if they made much difference!