Frank Fish

[kimhollamby]

Sealine owners past and present will be sorry to hear that Frank Fish, former managing director and a founding partner since the company's foundation in 1972, passed away suddenly last weekend at the age of 50. He was one of the original quartet that produced a boat for Tom Murrant (the original 23) and realised they could make a business out of it.

I'm personally very sorry to hear the news -- Frank was always fair and helpful in any dealings i had with him and the news has come as quite a shock to many people.

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[powerskipper]

I have only heard bits of this story, about 3 guys , a pub and a fiver each in the pot, would love to hear it all, Sorry to hear of his death, Hope he was pleased with the way their idea turned out.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/>http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/</A>
Julie

 

[kimhollamby]

Four men and a good idea

We were fortunate enough to have a guy called Keith Beardow writing for us on MBM a few years back. Sadly Keith passed away in the 1990s but before he did so he covered a number of boatbuilder histories for us. He was well placed to do so because he had been a part of the original Volvo Penta Aquamatic team and so with the original GRP pioneers and relative youngsters like Sealine.

To quote Keith:

The founder and present day chairman of Sealine is Tom Murrant (piece written in 1994), who claims the whole thing stated modestly enough in 1971 when, having searched local boatyards and studied the classified advertisements for a small family cruiser, he decided to build one himself.

An engineer in the aircraft industry, he found the drawing and pattern-making relatively simple, but the completion of the moulds and production of the shells required specialist GRP knowledge. So he made an arranegent with boatbuilders Midlands Marine, presenting them with the patterns and moulds in exchange for one set of mouldings. He saw it as a fair deal, for Tom had no thoughts of producing more than one boat.

However, Midland were very busy with other orders and Tom's plugs remained untouched and gathering dust in their workshop for several months. Seeing Tom's frustration at the delay, 17-year-old foreman Frank Fish offered, with the help of two workmates, to complete the job in Murrant's garage. And, when the smart 23ft Continental cabin cruiser was finished, the foursome realised that the combination of the mouldings and their combined knowledge gave them the basis for establishing a business.

Tom borrowed £500 against his life assurance policy, recruited his wife Jane as secretary and, in November 1972, set up Fibrasonic Marine Ltd in a rented building at Halfpenny Green airfield, near Bobbington in South Staffordshire. The directors comprised Tom, Frank and their two volunteer colleagues, John Fielding-Cotterell and David Jones.

++

So that was the beginning of it. Fibrasonic spent most of the next few years trying to survive the chaotic 1970s economy, mostly through sub-contract motorboat and sailboat builds and industrial moulding. They must have done an okay job though because by 1978 they had bought the old Dawncraft factory at Kidderminster (the core of the current plant) and the first of their own design 'C-Line' boats had become Sealines.

For anyone with yellowing copies on the shelves the issue I have been quoting from was Jan 1994 p76.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw-directory.com/reprints/results1.jsp?offset=0&tem=ybw&category=Profile&keyword=sealine+international&author=&mag=mbm&hidden_mag=mbm&month=%&year=%> The reference in magazine index / Copyshop can be found by following this link</A>



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[tico]

Re: Four men and a good idea

Only met Frank once when we were both objecting to a planning application in Kidderminster, but the blue BMW 'FF 50' was a common sight roaring round Kiddy.

<hr width=100% size=1>Been there, done that, got the oily T shirt

 

[PaulF]

Sad that a man with such drive should lose his life at such an age. He contributed in no small way to many enthusiasts enjoying their hobby.
Condolence to his family.

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[Planty]

Have to admit had not been aware of the full Sealine story until I saw your post, am so sorry to hear of Franks demise, if only for the sheer delight and relaxation just one of his companies products have brought to my family he deserves a grand epitaph. If possible please pass on our condolences to his family and our deepest thanks. Paul

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[halcyon]

That comes as a shock, meet him in 1983, we had our business up's and down's till he retired, but will always respect him.
Shall always remember each year going in to see him with the years new price increases. After an hour of Frank telling you how bad the current ecomonic situation was, you left with a tear's in the eyes, agreeing to hold prices, and try and find him a price reduction.
Much missed.


Brian


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[Solitaire]

I'm 51! Lost a good friend a year ago at 54 while on a trip from Bristol to Poole by sea! It's why I now spend as much time on the water as possible and why I became an instructor! LIFE IS NOT A REHERSAL! You only got one life - live it!

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk>Serious Fun</A>

 

[powerskipper]

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<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/>http://powerskipper.mysite.freeserve.com/</A>
Julie