Identify Boat Please!!

[Wessel]

Can Anybody identify this boat. I believe it was imported into South Africa from the US.

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<br /><br />The motor has Mercruiser 188HP on the tappet covers. Any info on the motor and/or hull would be appreciated

 

[QC]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

I think it might be a Southern California custom boat. Could be a variety of little manufacturers, but it looks like a late 70's early 80's Carribean or Lavey or Tahiti to me. 20 - 21 footer? I am looking for some pics, Lavey is still around but they don't build that hull anymore if it is them.<br /><br /> http://www.laveycraft.com/index.htm

 

[QC]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

Here's a Lavey actually a '90, their 21 foot bowrider. It's not right. You can see how the gunnel flows from the helm back is different, but pretty close.<br /><br />

 

[Wessel]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

thanks so far.. looks pretty close. Ive sent them a mail with the pics to see what they say.

 

[QC]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

Wessel,<br /><br />Why do you want to know? They won't have any specific parts available IMHO. Nostalgia? I can help you find any pieces that you need from here, but most of that stuff is generic across a number of builders . . .

 

[Wessel]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

thanks for the offer quitecat, i may take you up on it. There is no specific reason that i would like to know the make (just seems like going to bed with a woman without knowing her name)

 

[bigboy]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

It's a fletcher hull! I know it 100% sure. But it's a fake copy! They've made an open bow of it! Fletcher arrowbeau 17feet...

 

[bigboy]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

<br />Deck is a bit different but the rest is exact the same!

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

Is there a hull identification number on the transom at anywhere? I thought that was the law for boats manufactured in north america.

 

[84CJ7]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

The 2 barrel carburated ford 302 188hp mercury 888 I/O drive package was a 70's thing, I've personally seen them 72-76 but theyres probably more. If its the ford its obvious with the distributor in front and the angled spark plugs that are impossible to get out around the manifolds. A Ford engine that isnt a volvo penta would hafta be that old. If that were an 888 usually it would have had a big sticker on the top rear of the drive though.<br /><br />Those colors are either a South African thing or really old. The hull on that Lavey has that distinctive slope in front of the windshield, maybe its an older one.

 

[QC]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

Originally posted by 84CJ7:<br /> Those colors are either a South African thing or really old. The hull on that Lavey has that distinctive slope in front of the windshield, maybe its an older one.

I don't think it is an older Lavey, but one of the others. I'm still thinking maybe a Tahiti, the engine cover looks like an older 17 footer. I still think that boat is 20 - 21 ft. though. <br /><br />Those colors are one of the reasons I think it is from here. These custom builders will let you order with any combo you can come up with . . .

 

[bigboy]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

For the 3rd time its a FLETCHER ARROWBEAU<br />I can know i have the same boat. But original. This one is open bow and the windshield is removed!

 

[QC]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

bigboy,<br /><br />I am not specifically trying to dispute what you say . . . it doesn't look like a match to me. The deck is what makes a lot of boats different. Many of the hulls have been "splashed" (made a mold from somebody elses hull) by other manufacturers. My old boat shared the bottom hull with about 6 different custom manufacturers here. The decks were the only visual difference.<br /><br />Like you said, maybe a "fake"

 

[bigboy]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

The deck is also just the same. Search a pic of the inboard version off the arrowbeau! Just they have cutted this bow open or its a molded copy off an arrowbeau with adaptions!

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

That boat looks longer than 17ft to me. Closer to 20ft. I think quietcat has an important point to consider. Many manufacturers copy molds of other's hulls. As one says, you can't always judge a book by its cover.

 

[Wessel]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

The hull is a twenty footer but the bow seating is definitely original. the instrument cluster receptical is identical in shape to bigboys.

 

[Wessel]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

Here are two more pics of the boat<br />

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[Wessel]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

By the way, there are screw hole to indicate that there was a windscreen fitted

 

[bigboy]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

The dash is the same of my fletcher.

 

[QC]

Re: Identify Boat Please!!

I'm with bigboy now. That type of dash would not have been used by builders here. All of them place the gages directly into the fiberglass. No "panel" . . .