1973 Flatacraft Force 4

stan_deezy · 13 August 2005, 09:15

As promised on another thread, a few photos of my 1973 Flatacraft.

Nick Hearne · 13 August 2005, 11:52

That is in excellent condition you should send the photos to Tony Lee Elliott, he could do a nice article for Rib International!

Shaggy · 13 August 2005, 12:54

She looks Fantastic should be in a museum.

Shaggy

Brambles · 13 August 2005, 13:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaggy

She looks Fantastic Shaggy

Agreed!

I wonder what an appropriate tow vehicle would be? How about Ford Capri in bronze, with a black vinyl roof?

Ian

codprawn · 13 August 2005, 14:22

I never thought something could look so typically 70s even though it's a RIB - looks like it was styled by the same bloke as the Bond Bug!!!

Should definitely be in a museum or even an art gallery - sell it as Art Deco and you will make a fortune!!!!

tinker · 13 August 2005, 15:46

It would be a shame to use it in anger, after its been kept so long undercover. Doesnt even look like she has had an outboard on! Perhaps an oldish looking one to complete the look and go with the capri. (although you would probably have reliabilty issues getting to the water and whilst your in the water with those additions) True classic

Tim M · 13 August 2005, 16:14

That is amazing; those tubes look like new (or has it had a retube?)

stan_deezy · 14 August 2005, 18:07

No to the retube: they are the original tubes (both of them !).

Fully agree a nice 70's retro car would be great to complete the package: the closest I can offer is my project car: a MkII Golf GTi...complete with towbar !

I'll post a few more photos shortly showing the 1973 Evinrude 25HP engine attached. The engine is also mint and looks like she did very few hours with the boat: I drained the lower unit oil out and it looked like it had just been put in! After an hour of mollycoddling the engine (oil down the plug holes and gently turning by hand, new plugs and a points check) I half-heartedly pulled the recoil start and she fired straight up and settled down to a very quiet idle!

The boat herself is so intact and so little used that there is a paper sticker still on the spray dodger from the British Design Council!

Like you guys said: I'm scared to use her in anger.....maybe a museum would swap me a Searider instead???

How do I get in touch with Tony Lee-Elliott to let him see some photos?

Nick Hearne · 15 August 2005, 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by stan_deezy

No to the retube: they are the original tubes (both of them !).

Fully agree a nice 70's retro car would be great to complete the package: the closest I can offer is my project car: a MkII Golf GTi...complete with towbar !

I'll post a few more photos shortly showing the 1973 Evinrude 25HP engine attached. The engine is also mint and looks like she did very few hours with the boat: I drained the lower unit oil out and it looked like it had just been put in! After an hour of mollycoddling the engine (oil down the plug holes and gently turning by hand, new plugs and a points check) I half-heartedly pulled the recoil start and she fired straight up and settled down to a very quiet idle!

The boat herself is so intact and so little used that there is a paper sticker still on the spray dodger from the British Design Council!

Like you guys said: I'm scared to use her in anger.....maybe a museum would swap me a Searider instead???

How do I get in touch with Tony Lee-Elliott to let him see some photos?

He writes a lot here, I would contact HMS

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ollyit · 15 August 2005, 13:45

that is a minter without a doubt

Jizm · 15 August 2005, 17:21

wow, that is a minter, wish my rib was in that good a nick!

Nasher · 15 August 2005, 23:37

Fantastic!

I grew up with Force 4's, my father had one of the first ones, and I still love them. Wish I could have kept my last one with its 55HP Suzi when I brought My Ocean. I just wanted to go further in more comfort with the family on board.

This is where I get VERY Sad, and should get out more.
The Blunt tube ends, are very early, along with the Strip style handle down the side, and the screen with the turned over top didn't survive into later production either, but I can't remember ever seeing one with metal handles on the transom instead of the plastic ones.
Its also still got that awful steering bracket bolted on.

Love it. Miss mine even more, and want another, just for me.

Nasher.

stan_deezy · 16 August 2005, 11:10

Many thanks for all the very kind compliments. I can't take any of the credit: it was stored in a garage for nearly 30 years by the previous owner and never used.
Took her out yesterday for the first time in anger. Drew a lot of people, and I was surprised at the number of people who recognised it straight away as a Flatacraft!
Unfortunately the Lakes are limited to 10mph so we had to throttle down a lot, a brief "mistake" or two with the throttle revealed a good engine and an easy ability to plane. What amazed me even more was the self drainer at the stern. This boat simply has a flap of hypalon over the self drainer and I really didn't think it would be up to the job: but it was!
It felt a bit like driving an open-top classic car (very snug fit for two in those front seats!). Comfortable wee boat and a very pleasant reintroduction back into ribbing.......now, anyone got a Vipermax for sale????