Fastbass

Hi Sam, Brian here, the reason I liquidated Explorer was because the contract builder I had making the boats for me went bust giving me 3 days notice not his fault just a sign of the times. This meant we would have to go back to making only 3 boats per month max at the Liverpool factory as apposed to up to 12 using the contract builder route. This was not a viable course of action for me as it would have meant long waiting lists never any good for the customer or the builder. It was better to close the company than let it get a bad name for slow delivery etc. The post regarding liquidators running the business is total fantasy I liquidated it and the Elite moulds have gone to Spain the business was never put up for sale. As to plans to re-open the Fast Bass moulds have gone to Ireland, all being well these will be on the market for later in the season as will an 18ft version this should be a killer boat for 2006 / 2007. It was a great shame to see the Elite leave the UK as it was a much sort after boat loved by all who have one but it is alive and well and fishing in warmer seas. On the good side I now have a lot more time to go fishing; we have had a good season in the Mersey cod aplenty!!!!! Be lucky Brian

Hi Sam Have been away for a few days, good luck with your build project e mail me some pic's love a good project especially when it brings a good work boat back out to play. :cool:

Morning Sam we did do bare hulls and tops in the early days but stopped as some people would make a very poor job of the completion ok if they keep them which in the main is what happens with the Elite out of 150+ boats sold only 9 have been resold to my knowledge. We do offer now a completed shell, were all the glass work has been done seats bonded in etc all flow coated and CE Plated you just then fit it out windows etc. This way we know the important stuff is 100%. Most builders will now only sell you a full package. I hope I never forget how I got started which was building for the bloke who couldn’t afford £13,000.00 just wanted a boat to move all his gear over from his old boat.

Hi Bob Glad to hear things are improving for you, I set up an RYA training school in Spain 3 years ago on the Costa del sol. It is all going well now but like you when I first went over there were quite a few really plausible chaps who had my pants down if you know what I mean!! The most disappointing thing was they were all BRITISH!! the Spanish did nothing other than give me help and assistance. I have now taken a partner to run the school over there whilst I concentrate on the boat building in the UK. What qualifications did you need to operate the boat in Portugal and do the locals keep moving the goal posts as they do for none national commercial operators in Spain. Tight lines

Hi Sam-Cox Yes all I have read indicates a far better lift to the hull and an improvement to overall stability underway I know that the Leewood has a model with an outrigger fitted but have not had a chance to discuss it's performance. My main interest is in its versatility of fitting, on my 22 I could have one mould that would do for inboard and outboard also you can vary the size of the outrigger to take one engine or two. Will probably build a prototype this summer to test.

Hi Sam-Cox Yes I must admit it was a novel experience I was surfing for information on holiday forums and up anglers net popped. Think it could become addictive though! It’s good to have an opportunity to discuss ideas with other fisherman to see and to see what their experience is of different products etc. Are you fishing this weekend? I can't get out till early March now!! hoping there will still be some Cod about, but like you I am looking forward to the summer Tope and Bass. Will be fishing and playing with my 22 this season so will try some of the wrecks over the 30mile range that are not fished as often. Wreck fishing is not a type of fishing I have done much with over the years so should be good fun. I prefer rough ground marks as does my granddaughter she likes wrasse takes all sorts to make a world she is only 8 so plenty of time to learn.

Hi Sanctuary. Have dropped you a PM as requested. With regard to 18ft boat have you looked at the Leewood 18 they were at the Go Fishing show last 2 years bigish boat, I know one of the Rippingdon club members has one saw him out in Cork on the smith's reef in some nasty weather went well enough his had an enclosed wheel house looks a really heavy build used by a lot of commercial fisherman. The company is based round Amble on the East coast would think they will be at Go Fishing again this year.

Hi Newt I went for the 75hp ETEC because I rated the Elite to a maximum engine size of 80hp for the CE plating. However I have 2 customers who have just fitted the 90hp ETEC. I am waiting for some feed back from them to see how much better it is? If it is ok will upgrade the CE rating. Also looking forward to the release of the 60hp ETEC I think this will make a well balanced cost effective package. I am currently running a 150 salt Water optimax on the pre-production model of the Fastbass 22 I must admit I am very impressed with it. What boat are you running your optimax on and what do you get per gallon out of it. What do you think of engine outriggers I have noticed they are used in the states on a lot of sports boats. I have been toying with trying one on a Fastbass 22 as it would extend the overall length to 25ft and give uninterrupted deck space in the boat. Tight lines

Hi Steve I have the same problem Fairline Boats have me sold on a 47footer but then we can both dream LOTTERY on Wed/Sat you never know!! Were do you fish? And what sort of year have you had. Brian :cool:

Hi Sam-Cox Glad you had a good first hand experience with Matt. For £600 your boat seems to fit the bill. No need to spend £13,000 yourself when you can go out with Matt!!! That’s What I call a "WIN WIN" situation he's spent the money and will need a kind rich friend to supply the fuel and bait, tells me he is totally skint now!! Have you had any decent Cod down your end this year? Brian :cool:

Hi Sanctuary, New to Anglers Net so have not read previous postings re "advertorials" a novel way of describing Lewis and Thrussels efforts not sure they would be impressed? But that's life. I can understand members being suspicious of an angling writer who takes a boat free for a year? So sorry Steve Coppolo but as much as I would like to give you a boat for a year FREE!! I must decline your most worthy request. I made a decision when starting Explorer never to give a boat free to any one for a "good report" I prefer to allow all mags the opportunity to test the boat and say what they please. Given, that if they had found any problems I could have gone on to put them right and had it re-tested getting a second report out in the same magazine. It's called a “WIN WIN “ situation I believe. Sanctuary as you are so close to me if you ever fancy seeing and testing an Elite first hand just give me a call there are still cod in the Mersey and I do love a challenge. The lads are finishing my new demo boat with a 75hp Evenrude ETEC on the back done a few of these now very quick and quiet. Seem Ok no negative feed back from customers, any one in here got one? If yes what do you thing? Tight Lines Brian :cool:

Hi Sanctuary, Sorry new to BB thought replying by email would appear on here did not see reply /posting section at bottom of page. As I explained in my mail I was interested in you posting? (As the saying goes I know a chap who knows a bloke who works for explorer who says they are a cheaper version of the warrior . I do know that at last years boat show they exhibited near warrior boats and got slated for the difference in finish between the two, so may be they took this on board and have improved their quality control )Explorer was at 2 boat shows last year Go Fishing & Southampton Boat show. At both shows all customers on the Explorer stand had the key selling points of the Elite explained which in the main are based on quality and design. All potential customers were then sent to our main competitor’s stands to view their boats at both shows Explorer Boats were informed by the organisers that they had the highest declared sales in this type of boat. You state that "YOU KNOW" that at last years boat show Explorer were slated for the finish of the Elite I asked in my mail if could validate this comment and explained that I know Explorer have never been slated on quality and finish and explained that I can validate my statement because "I OWN THE COMMPANY". I do not wish my post to be regarded as a rebuke to your posting only to explain that when a comment such as the above is made you should be in a position to validate it as it could mislead other members in to believing it is the truth! The Elite is built to the same quality standard today as it was when the first Elite were built. Don't take my word for this read the reports written by Dave Lewis & Mike Thrussel Explorer Boats has a reputation for quality and finish second to none. I noted a number of postings that it is similar to a Warrior 165 if you put the 2 boats together you would immediately see that it is superficial only. No part of the Elite is the same as Warrior 165 both boats will have their strong points that a purchaser likes and he will buy a boat based on his personal taste as he should. I look forward to a healthy dialogue on this subject. Tight Lines Brian :cool: [ 06. February 2005, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: Fastbass ]