Force releases F14

Force Boats from NSW is a company that is renowned for its high-quality, high-performance ski boats. Now in its 18th year, the niche boatbuilder has been manufacturing performance race and social boats that have cemented their position on the podium right around the country.

Now, however, Force has branched out and built a versatile outboard-powered bowrider that can serve many functions.

According to Force, the F14 as it’s known, can be a ski boat, fishing boat, family runabout or even a tender to a big cruiser.

The FR14 is rated to 60hp and can tow an 80kg skier or a couple of kids on a tube.

Principal Rod Bickerton from Force Boats says his company is making two versions of the F14 – one for social use and the other, a more lightweight version, specifically aimed at the tender market.

"The lightweight version is made from vinylester resin and vacuum-bagged foam sandwich,” Mr Bickerton told us. “It’s the same method we use to manufacture our world-championship race boats.”

"This method is a bit more expensive to build than the traditional method we use for the social boats," Mr Bickerton added.

Total weight for the lightweight version is 280kg with a 40hp outboard, which most davits can handle. The boats come with highly-reinforced stainless-steel lifting hooks and can be ordered in a variety of colours.

The Force F14 is rated to carry five adults and have a top speed of 30 knots (56km/h) with a 40hp outboard.

The F14 is extremely smooth and stable, we’re told, and comes with a range of high-quality options to suit individual owner's needs.

Pricing for the social version of boat and motor with a 40hp Mercury two-stroke outboard is $26,242, while the lightweight version is slightly more at $28,742 with the same engine. A clever multipurpose bowrider.

For more information contact Force Boats on (02) 4575 4038 or go to www.forceboats.com