FIBRECRAFT/CHASE MARINE
FALCON
Specifications | Boat report | Results
Specifications
Length                                                        5.66m
Width                                                         2.16m
Weight - Boat                                            580 kg
Weight - Trailer                                        370 kg

Recommended Horsepower                     115hp

Standard Equipment

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Boat Report
(by kind permission of the African Fisherman  April 1995)
If the Bass Ranger made Fibrecraft a name on small dams, the Falcon has given them a reputation on Lake Kariba. Originally launched in 1988, and based on an American design, the Falcon has had a varied and glorious career that is closely associated with the Kariba International Tiger Fish Tournament. where reigning team champions ULTC Falcons used these boats year after year. On Kariba, the sleek shape of the Falcon has earned a name as the tiger fishing boat, which is what it was designed for.
Our test boat was the first out of the mould (seven years old), and was a good example of the rugged, precise construction of Fibrecraft boats. Having competed in all KITFT "Race to the Gorge" events since its launch, and now stationed at Binga where it has worked extensively in rough conditions, she has had more than 1000 hours on the water, and showed very little wear and tear.
Construction
A combination of Marine Ply beams and stringers (six in all) with a combination of chopped strand mat, woven rovings and core mat ensure the overall strength. Testament to this fact that in 1988 on this boats maiden outing, the trailer complete with boat parted company from the car whilst being towed at speed to Kariba. The boat and trailer then separated as it went ploughing through the bush. After much tribulation the boat eventually made it to Kariba, where it still competed in the Tiger Tournament.
Finish
One of the nice things about testing an older boat, is the fact that what you see is what you get.  Although showing obvious signs of use, the overall finish of the FAlcon is impressive.  The gel coat, fittings, hatches and hull had stood up well to the seven years of use (and its 40 meter skid through the bush on the hull). More recently, I have seen several new Falcons at the factory in Bulawayo, where today they are still built to a high standard with imported weather resistant fittings and accessories.
Fishability
Basic design is as a bow rider, with padded bow seats and fore casting deck, swivel pilot and co-pilot seats and a padded rear bench seat. With all cushions removed, the benches, both fore and aft, create additional deck space.
From Binga, where a rather persistent north easterly churns the water to something resembling a mild sea, we ran more than 40km towards the Chete Gorge. The three foot plus swell provided ideal conditions for testing the boat. Later Ivor Kesson and I hit a hot pattern spinning for tiger and boated eight good fish.
Throughout the test the Falcon performed above my expectations. She handled like a dream in the rough and provided a stable platform whilst at rest. With two of us standing in the bow, a system of casting, hooking and then playing the fish while moving toward the stern was made easy by the open, spacious interior. The relatively low gunwale made landing or releasing the fish simple.
It is becoming more common for anglers to use bigger boats on inland waters, and the Falcon would be quite at home on smaller waters. The layout is versatile and can easily be used as a pleasure boat or a fishing boat. Additional swivel seat mounts can be included in both for and aft bench seats, and our test boat was fitted with an electric trolling motor.
Trailering, launching  and retrieving were all handled with ease by a two wheel drive vehicle, and Ivor regularly performs this task single handedly.
The Falcon is definitely a performance boat. Its hydrodynamics push the hull out of the water, reducing drag and improving  performance, riding with a proud nose up attitude. The high windscreens on the twin consoles provided almost complete protection from the elements, whilst still offering good visibility. in the rough water, it was often more comfortable to stand whilst on the plane. The windscreen frame is sturdy moulded fibreglass and withstood quite some punishment while we clung to it for support. The deep vee and ample storage (within the bench seats) make the Falcon an ideal Kariba Boat.
As further testament to the Falcons suitability for Kariba, we have produced the track record of this particular boat (and other Falcons used) during the seven years it has raced at the KITFT event.
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Test Results
Performance
Load               -  Two people, two batteries and 120 litres petrol
Propeller        - 23" High Five SST
Engine           - 200 hp Mercury

Maximum RPM         - 5 800rpm
Maximum speed        -  100 km/h

Previous "Race to the Gorge" results
1989 : 1st Ivor Kesson (Test Boat)                              1993 : 1st Paul Clark (Falcon)
1990 : 1st Ivor Kesson (Test Boat                                               2nd Ivor Kesson (Test Boat)
1991 : Race not finished due to injured co-pilot                            3rd Cliff Weeber (Falcon)
1992 : 2nd Ivor Kesson (Test Boat)                                             4th Neil Gordon (Falcon)
           3rd Cliff Weeber (Falcon)                                 1994 : 1st Paul Clark (Falcon)
           4th Paul Clark (Falcon)                                                     3rd Ivor Kesson (Test Boat)
           5th Neil Gordon (Falcon)
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