Which Boat please??

[d6moff]

Hello everyone im a newby on the forum and thought I would post a wee thread...
I have had small 12-14ft boats for fishing all my life but have decided to upgrade to something newer...
Im looking for a towable boat no bigger than 19-21ft with a cuddy as it will be gettin used up in the highlands of Scotland. My budget is £12K and the boat will be getting used for fishing, skiing/ringo etc and general family fun and cruising...??

I have been looking at a 2001 fletcher 4.3 EFI but the guy is wanting £14K which a though was slightly steep??? but I believe these are good quality british built boats suitable for other weather/waters??

Also I was looking a Bayliner 602s and 212s if anyone can advise through experence on any of these boats that would be great...

Also if anyone could advise on the mercruiser 1.7 diesel 120hp engines that would be great, as the economics of it sounds appealling....although is 120hp powerful enough for skiing on these boats when your boats has a full load??

Ok I think that will do for now and I shalll thank you in advise for reading and for any info or advise anyone can give me Thanks

 

[rafiki_]

I can't comment on the Fletcher, as I have no experience of these.

Our first mobo was a Searay 22 ft cuddy. Lovely boat, and great fun for the day. Not for overnighting, just not enough room for swmbo and me, both just either side of 6ft.

We traded up to a 25ft sports cruiser, Sunbird, with a 5.7V8. Worked fine for us and our 10 year old daughter, but really too big to trail, so we kept her on the Norfolk Broads.

Current boat is a Sunline 31, with twin 1.7 merc diesels. Great compromise for us of performance and economy.

I think a single 1.7 in a 20-23 ft boat would be OK. The Americans use them for fast fishers, and feedback is very positive for performance and economy. There are some concerns about the durability of the waste gate in these open boats, where salt corrosion can cause the waste gate to stick open, which can lead to a costly turbo, or even worse failure. Engine is an Isuzu which was used in Astra/Vans, so parts are not expensive.

I have had no probs with mine, although most of the work is low speed on a river, where the small diesels work great. Fuel economy is really good, on a river 3-4 litres per hour. On the sea, I think she is good for 25-30 lph, which is very acceptable at 25 knots.

Alfa outdrives need regular servicing, and will serve well as a consequence.

Hope this helps.

 

[lovezoo]

Fuel economy is really good, on a river 3-4 litres per hour. On the sea, I think she is good for 25-30 lph, which is very acceptable at 25 knots.

That is pretty much the same figures I get out of my Fletcher 19GTS with the 4.3EFI - pretty good for a twin engined 31ft boat.

Re the Fletcher - I have had mine for 5 years or so and have thoroughly enjoyed it. There are usually plenty around for sale - main thing to make sure of at that age is that the engine/outdrive have been well looked after - no point buying a cheap one that has been neglected.

 

[landlockedpirate]

14k for the Fletcher sounds about right, these boats have a decent following and they do seem to hold their value well. Although the diesel is much more economical and great for cruising, for watersports, the 4.3 is a much better boat.