Fletcher Wakesport 19gts

by Tim Woodhead
16 / 10 / 2008

Fletcher Wakesport 19gts Arrowhawk
Web: www.fletcher-boats.co.uk
RRP: as tested £28,761, base £25,500
Length: 5.60m
Beam: 2.17m
Hull Deadrise: 24°
Approx Dry Weight: 1200Kg
Power Range: 135 – 220 hp
Fuel Tank Capacity: 114 litres
Standard Equipment: Custom Colour Option, Custom Graphics, Custom Interior, Monster Tower or Jobe Tower, 2 Wakeboard Racks, Marine Stereo with MP3 Auxiliary Socket, LED Navigation Lights, Bathing Platform with Integrated Ladder, LED Navigation Lights, Pop up Cleats, Custom Wave Rails, Eyebrows on Gauges, Sports Steering Wheel, Tilt Steering Mechanism, Bow Cushion Infill, Bow and Cockpit Tonneau, Choice of Engines, SBS Drive on Trailer.

What They Say: The 19GTS Wakesport takes you to the next level with up to 220hp available. This much poke behind a deep V hull gets the boat on the plane in seconds, sure the wake is not as huge as the Super Air but that is  not what this boat is about. The 19 will throw up a solid wake that will help you progress from beginner to strong intermediate.  It is also ideal for all other water based activity so the kids can look cool and Dad can justify it to the missus! For those who just want to wakeboard then we offer the Bravo 3 upgrade.  This is a heavier drive unit and is coupled with a duo prop set up (Two counter rotating props). Forget perfect pass, just set the throttle control to the ideal speed and this set up has huge torque and will just keep you there no matter what you do. All Wakesport packages come fully loaded as standard with many customer options on colour and set up.  These are boats for people who take their water time seriously but we never forget that little sis' or bro' might be part of the deal so the boats are equally at home towing a ringo or blasting around scaring Mum!.

What We Say: The first thing we love about this boat is that it’s British, every little bit of it is built in the Midlands and we all should be proud of that. The second thing we love is that it’s actually pretty damn good for wakeboarding, the wake is shaped well and is extremely firm allowing you to get good pop off it. The wake keeps its shape all the way back to 75’ / 80’ feet so the better riders can use a longer line and get more air time. If you shorten the line to around 60’ and slow the boat down the wake goes much bigger while keeping its shape. At this speed and line length you have great conditions for learning any of the basic inverts and spins. There is a common saying amongst wakeboard coaches that too big a wake is counter productive and it’s very true, this boat just creates the right size wake for who it’s aimed at. The likes of Nick Davies or Dan Nott are not going to learn many new tricks behind this boat, but if you are a beginner to intermediate wakeboarder it’s very useable!

One of the clever designs that Fletcher have brought to this boat is the combination of the 220hps Mercruiser engine with a bravo 3 leg and duo prop. The Bravo 3 leg is normally found on much bigger boats and they have successfully designed a way of making the boat hold its speed at slower wakeboard speeds. It really is easy to drive, which is a bonus if you have to teach your wife to drive so you can ride!

The late and great Ian Beattie designed the graphics that sit on the side of the boat and we certainly like the look it has, with bold colours and customized styling it fits into the wakeboard scene easily. For its price and what it does we love this boat and had great fun testing it. We love the fact that if you buy one you can go and watch it being built and really customize it to your taste.