Sealine 195 or Fletcher 19GTS- help!

[Kate thingy]

Hi all, I'm new here so please be gentle with me!

Before I get to my question, a little bit about my boating history:
My ex-partner and I used to own a Sunseeker 28 Offshore fitted with twin Volvo diesels. We completely refitted her out and she looked scrummy, was practicle, economical, but after only one season we found we did not cruise in her, with only one night away from the marina! She was a very capable boat, having once got caught out in winds over tide gusting 7!
My partner fell out of love with boating and we sold her- suffice to say we then split up shortly after. Their loss, my gain.....

Anyway, I went out and bought myself a Sunseeker Mexico 24, again fitted with a Volvo diesel and absolutely loved her. I could handle her all on my own, she was very economical and soooooo sexy, hehehee. I would spend 3 to 4 days a week on her in the summer months as I lived close to the marina. Totally lush! A very capable coastal blaster in my view.
But I had to sell her as work committments changed drastically and I couldn't justify her sitting there not being used.
So, I got myself a Draco Suncab 23, with Volvo petrol. Much cheaper and I didn't mind not using her so much but still being able to keep boating. But as I didn't like the way she handled I sold her after 6 months! Think I may have been bitten by the Sunseeker handling traits. That was over 4 years ago.....

So, I finally get round to my question:
I'm looking to get back into boating and am toying with two models and wondered if anyone has had any experinces of these craft.
I'm looking at the Sealine 195 or the Fletcher 19GTS.
They are both within my budget of sub 10k, both fairly light so petrol consumption should be a little easier on the purse, both towable (not an issue at the moment but always handy for the future), small enough to moor/service/run etc.
I'll be using it mostly for coastal days out with option to overnight. Maybe even get up to the Norfolk Broads or round to the Thames or Medway for a week at a time.

I would consider a petrol Mexico but they are either twin engined or one massive engine and I'm trying to keep running costs as low as possible- hence the lighter, smaller engined options of Sealine 195 or Fletcher 19GTS.

So, over to you for any help and assistance.

 

[Nautorius]

OK,

Fletcher 19gts is a great boat. Best version with the 3.0ltr inboard which gives good performance for weight. However it is a sports boat hull and is not beamy like the US boats or the sunseekers you have had. I think it is only 8ft wide. Great usable cuddy, basic camping kit and a nice layout. It will also be newer.

The sealine is an older girl and will have an AQ engine (older generation). I think the boat is more capable but the electrics and engine may let it down.

I would get the Fletcher!

On the other hand if you have £10k I would buy a Chaparral 205 SSE (Or earlier LE but SSE has better helm seats) http://www.boatshop24.co.uk/NjQ2MTd+QlNOVzAx=-Chaparral_Boats_Chaparral_205_SSE.html.


Paul

 

[thefatlady]

I have no knowledge of the Fletcher, but long ago I had a Sealine 190 (later version of the 195). It had a Volvo AQ171 petrol 175hp. Handling and performance were excellent. We used it for trips of several days and trailed it down to the West Country. On the strength of that, we moved up in size through another two Sealines before turning to Sunseeker.

Sealine (and Fletchers from what I have seen) are not built as well as Sunseekers, but the 190 is a very capable boat. As Nautorious said, look at the wiring, especially in the engine room. I had no trouble with my engine - it performed impeccably.

However, my boat was 18 months old and they are getting a bit long in the tooth now. You will need to check it carefully.

 

[jhr]

If you hanker for the Sunseeker experience, I personally think the Fletcher will give you more of it than the Sealine.

Looks much cooler as well! There is a regular poster on here called GeoffS, who had a Fletcher 19 for several years and can probably give you the full "things to look out for" briefing.

 

[scej]

The sealine has better accomodation if you want to overnight, from memory toilet is not under the bed and has nice cabin. properish water system etc.

the fletcher is a better handling boat in my opinion 3l merc is adequate power should give about 36- 38 Mph 2 up with low fuel and no gear on board if spotlessly clean. prop should be 17" pitch 3 blade ally the four blade will give better aceleration but no more speed, stainless props not worth bothering with as no advantage really unless you have the 4.3l merc. as for facilities the loo is under the bunk and the cooker/sink is under the port side cushion in the cockpit.

to get the best from the fletcher you need to drive a bit with the 3l but the 4.3 is better. most of the ones we sold in Poole where 3l petrol nice package.

if the budget is 10 k i would look for a mexico again if i where you with the single V8 petrol volvo, OK the fuel will be more money but not a great deal unless you thrash it everywhere and again a better sea boat with the extra length.

 

[DavidJ]

Our first boat was the 195 and we had it for 5years towing it all over Europe and to Yugoslavia a couple of times (which shows how long ago it was!) Super boat and it hooked me to Sealines, now on my third. Getting a bit old now so have a hull survey. I think Sealine never changed their gelcoat colour so you can still get it from the factory (I may stand corrected on that one!)

 

[oGaryo]

This is what Geoffs told me when I was looking at the 19GTS last year.. went to view one and it was a nice boat.. ended up getting a Bayliner Bowrider to see me through my first season as SWMBO wanted the rest of my disposable cash for other things, many many other things :-( Next year will be different.. my turn!!

Anyways, here's the details I was fiven of things to watch out for but it was clear, the opinion's of most were positive about the Fletcher:

The one you are looking at looks a good one form the details you given, all the advice on price etc. you've had is good.

I didn't find many week points with boat or engine. a few points though.

Look at headlining in cabin, tends to come away a droop down. Heard it described as being like a bedouin tent!

Simulated wood dash tends to peel, but yours (?) looks good.

Check windscreen, centre supports tend to splay sideways, weakens windscreen. Also stainless steel tonneau clips can cause electrolytic corrosion to ally frame.

Hatch in cockpit floor not really up to job, and tends to crack, worth strenghtening if ok.

Water pump on engine fails quite regularly, look for tell tale water stains from font bearing, which can rot timing cover.

Head gasket can weep to outside of block, look for water stains down side of block, especially on stbd side. Being raw water cooled, not a big deal, but rots plate covering push rod
chamber cover, then oil leaks.

Feel under sump for signs of corrosion.

Exhaust riser and manifold can suffer from corrosion, but not a lot you can do, unless strip exhaust system. 3litre engine does seem less prone to these problems than V6 or V8's

 

[Renegade_Master]

Kate I've got a nice Fletcher 19 GTS on my site complete with Fletcher trailor, over here in Spain if you are interested
Clive Atlas

 

[Kate thingy]

Thank you everyone for your comments. All taken on board so to speak.

So after a bottle of Rose wine and some ice cream (helps me think!) I started looking at the petrol Mexico's (gosh I'm addicted to them- Mexico's, not the wine, although.....). So I'm now concerned that a boat over 2 tonne with a single V8 270hp Volvo will be considerably more expensive to run than say the Sealine 195 weighing in at 1.2 tonne and only having a 170hp.

I'm not much good with the ins and outs of the litres per hour etc- just essentially how much it will take out of my purse each time I fill her up.

Would there really be much difference at say 20 knots?

I whole heartedly agree the Mexico would be a better sea boat- but the Sealine apears to have more of a pull regarding the running costs and comfort aboard.

Oh the dilema continues- though I did see a diesel Mexico for sale locally at 17k with a Kad-32 fitted- wonder if they'll do a deal for cash, hehehee.

 

[DavidJ]

I whole heartedly agree the Mexico would be a better sea boat- but the Sealine apears to have more of a pull regarding the running costs and comfort aboard.

The Mexico would be a faster sea boat but you will find the Sealine to be very dry with great sea keeping.
By the way there is an ex-Sealine guy on this forum who runs a Sealine spares company, he will know the 195 and should be able to help if you do go that way. It's Nick Seabridge, just do a search on Seabridge.

 

[Renegade_Master]

The Fletcher I have for sale is currently owned by a round britain power boat racer now retired. I think it safe to assume he would buy a boat fro private use that handled well.
I believe fletchers are noted for this.

The Mexican is a good little SS but pretty dated now. Look out for osmosis on really early ones. A guy bought one over here recently (privately) that had just that lots of osmosis, however he sent it back to UK on a lorry so he must luv em.

Cant comment on the Sealine but should be a perfectly capable boat.

 

[Geoffs]

Hi Kate, as mentioned in this thread, I ran a 19GTS for 8 years. Had it from new and did about 1000hrs. It's a great little boat, for it's size, good at sea. Mine was based in Poole, and I used it between Bembridge and Weymouth. Not the ends of the world, but not bad for a 19 footer. Spent dozens of nights aboard, quite ok for two people.

Garyo has listed the potential weeker spots I found, none of these are 'show stoppers', just things to look for, and perhaps, bargin with.

I used about a litre of fuel per Nm, so 20 knots would be about 20 litres/hr. I think a V8 Mexico wuld probably use nearly double that. Older V8's can suffer terrible corrosion problems, especially exhaust risers, quite a few £££'s. If you could find one with such parts recently replaced, then you could have a winner. Risers seem to last about 5yrs.

Can't really compare 19GTS with 195, but the 195 is actually a larger boat, may be more comfortable, but older. Those older Volvo AQ's can also be a pain. The Mexico a much larger boat so in a different league, bound to give you more, but older, again.

For what it is, the 19GTS is excellent, you pays yer money and takes yer choice!

 

[landlockedpirate]

We downsized to a Fletcher 19GTS about 3 years ago. We intended to use it as a day boat only but this year have actually spent a couple of nights on it. Accomodation is best described as 'compact', but 2 adults and 2 children can manage a weekend with carefull planning. The boat has a lot of storage areas which helps and running water, sink, cooker and porta potti makes over-nighting possible.

In full camping mode on the Thames.

Boat looked a little lost.

But the kids enjoyed it.

The overnighting was only a bit of fun for the kids during the Summer holidays, The Fletcher is much better as a sports boat, ours has the 4.3. WOT is 40-42kts depending on prop and it will just about pull a 17 stone monoskier out of the water even with the family on board.

The Sealine is a much more cruiser orientated cuddy. It has more cuddy area and less deck space. The cooking and toilet facilities, although still very basic, are much better than the Fletcher. As others have mentioned this will be about 10 years older than the Fletchers. They are still great boats and I would buy 1 if it suited my needs.

But the main reason I choose the Fletcher, I just prefered the looks.

The Sunseeker is a whole different class of boat, bigger, heavier and much more expensive in the long run.

 

[DavidJ]

But the main reason I choose the Fletcher, I just prefered the looks.

.

Although I've been pushing Sealines a bit I'd buy the Fletcher just from the photo alone...Wow!

 

[Nautorius]

Although I've been pushing Sealines a bit I'd buy the Fletcher just from the photo alone...Wow!

Stunning Picture Pirate!

 

[Geoffs]

Try this

 

[lovezoo]

As this has turned into a 19GTS picture thread, here are a few of mine:

And a brochure pic showing the layout:

The sink and cooker are under the passenger seat. The rear seats have an infill that converts it to a lounging pad big enough for two people and there are large storage lockers under the seats.

My boat has the 4.3EFI which is good for 50mph and does about 1 litre per mile at a cruise of 20-30mph.

 

[Geoffs]

As this has turned into a 19GTS picture thread, here are a few of mine:

And why not!

 

[lovezoo]

Anchored off the beach two weeks ago. Not allowed to do this in the summer

 

[Kate thingy]

Ok, so the Fletcher has more modern round sexier lines, but the Sealine does appear to be better suited to mini-cruising.

So on that note and to balance the thread somewhat- any pictures, brochures on the Sealine 195 to be posted?