THIS MONTH'S 10
THE 10 KEY BOATING STORIES YOU NEED TO READ
THE EDITOR’S VIEW...
Like many people I cut my boating teeth on a Fletcher Arrowflyte so I’m super excited by the prospect of an all-new Fletcher, especially one that looks as good as this. The price seems quite punchy as does its plan to develop an electric version that will run for two hours at full throttle but there’s no harm in aiming high. I really hope they succeed.
1 FLETCHER IS BACK!
Fletcher, one of British boatbuilding’s most iconic names, is planning a dramatic comeback with its first brand new model in over 20 years and an all-electric future.
The new F23 bowrider will initially be launched with petrol outboard and sterndrive engines but all-electric options should be ready towards the end of 2024. The first demonstrator could be afloat as early as November.
“We are not saying too much at this stage as regards the all-electric solutions,” says creative lead Ed Ahmed. “But what we can say is Fletcher is a performance brand, so for us electric solutions will not be about how far we can go. They will be about speed and having fun. As of today no other electric boatbuilder is producing what we aim to deliver, which ideally for the F23 is up to two hours at full throttle and a maximum speed of 50mph.”
Designed in-house and based on a proven Fletcher deep-vee hull, the new model manages to combine modern snub-nose styling with a hint of retro, thanks to a frameless, tinted wraparound windshield.
At the stern a full-width integrated bathing platform, with the outboard engine (or sterndrive) hung off the back of it, extends the waterline length and provides a place for wakeboarders and waterskiers to put on their gear. This leads forward to a pair of sunbeds divided by a central walkway through to a deep-set cockpit. Protected by the long wraparound windscreen and featuring a U-shaped bench aft and two swivelling bucket seats forward, this looks like a very secure and sociable arrangement. A hinged centre section of the windscreen swings open to provide walkthrough access to the bow lounge with yet more sunken seating.
The hull is rated to take up to a 300hp (225kW) engine, which should give a top speed of around 45 knots. It will be built at a new production facility in Hambridge, Somerset, and the construction will include carbon-fibre reinforcement to maximise strength and lightness. Fletcher expects F23 prices to start at around £210,000 including VAT, pitching it as a premium British-built rival to mass market sportsboats from Europe and America.
If the F23 sells as well as expected, Fletcher is already planning to expand the range with a new F20, F26 and F30 already on the drawing board.
REMASTERED HERITAGE
Fletcher has a long history of building sportsboats in
