I have just bought an old Flatacraft Force 3 which appears to have the facility for sailing. It has a centre board housing as part of the structure and a built in socket for a mast. Does anyone know anything about the Force 3? I'd love to rig a sail but no one I've spoken with believes Flatacraft made a sailing rib. Any information would be much appreciated.
You're absolutely right, Flatacraft sold a Sailing Kit as an accessory for the Force 3. The hull as standard had a mast socket and a daggerboard slot (with a plug). The accessory kit contained a sleeved sail, jointed mast, dagger board and rudder. They even produced a children's gaff-rigged version.
They're not made any more, and you would be lucky to find an original sailing kit anywhere (although it is the sort of thing that might lurk in a garage for decades so you just might find one!). Shouldn't be too difficult to put something together though if you're really keen.
Here are a few scans from the brochure that I happen to have tucked away.
hi i have the mast sail maybe the rudder and dagger board yours if you can pick up from ringwood hampshire
If you do decide to take up lyndon's kind offer I could maybe help with transport. I live in Crawley but am often in Lymington as that is where our boat is, so could collect it one weekend? Then you would 'only' have to travel to creepy Crawley
I'd like to publically thank three members for their incredible generosity and help, following my very first posting - having just bought an old Force 3 and wanting to sail it.
They immediately responded with such kind offers of help that I now have a sailing flatacraft force 3 in commission and anticipate an early trans atlantic crossing. Next Monday - Or Tuesday - depending on the weather.
The administrator
Lyndon
Ianhappy
Thankyou.
If only there was a 'run the banks' forum, we couldn't fail
Gordon, when you say sail, you mean with those white flappy things that look like bed sheets? should be interesting and the future of ribbing if the Chancellor keeps slapping tax rises on fuel every April.
....I now have a sailing flatacraft force 3 in commission and anticipate an early trans atlantic crossing. Next Monday - Or Tuesday - depending on the weather.
So, did you make it?!?
Hope all is well with your new rig, was a pleasure to help (even if it was only a tiny bit).
As Pete7 says, would be great to see some pics of her in action.
Or, if anyone's got pics of the transom of one with the rudder attached?
I've bought one, and I've got a Tinker Tramp sailing rig kicking about I might try and get to fit.
Old thread, it's practically been exhumed!
This any use? Bidding was back in March, and would you believe it for another £75 you could have had the sailing kit! Looks like the transom has been reworked, including the section where the rudder dropped on.
I've finally dug out the old Flatacraft brochures, but there's nothing that shows any more detail for the sailing rig, sorry. As your fitting a Tinker rig, here are some Tinker instructions and a picture of the transom of the folding RIB showing the tiller fittings. Not sure if they're any help, but it's the best I can do!
Nice to find some information on these - I have one that's in incredible condition. I think it's spent it's life on davits! Must be 40+ years old and the tubes are incredibly good.
Nice to find some information on these - I have one that's in incredible condition. I think it's spent it's life on davits! Must be 40+ years old and the tubes are incredibly good.
Are you the seller or the new owner. That one looked particularly tidy.
White Noise
Sula
