Orkney 19 Fastliner

[Otter]

Hello,
I am looking for some advice on finding the Hull Identification Number on an Orkney Fastliner 19ft? The boat was recently purchased in Wexford and the HIN is required for insurance purposes.

[JimC]

Did you try the stern up near the rubber fendering?

[Otter]

Did you try the stern up near the rubber fendering?

Yes I did. Here is a link to a short video I made looking for the number

https://www.dropbox.com/s/b9rj21j5hqq9w ... .mpeg?dl=0

With no visible number it raises the question if the boat is genuine or a copy?

[JimC]

As soon as I saw the decals on the hull I said - Panda! Somebody told me that the copies were made by a crowd called Panda boats (I was never able to confirm this )

I had one of these boats for a good few years before I got my first Warrior 175. She was a centre console model like yours. Grand boat. I would suggest that you stick a number inside the console or something like that and call it your serial number.

[Otter]

As soon as I saw the decals on the hull I said - Panda! Somebody told me that the copies were made by a crowd called Panda boats (I was never able to confirm this )

I had one of these boats for a good few years before I got my first Warrior 175. She was a centre console model like yours. Grand boat. I would suggest that you stick a number inside the console or something like that and call it your serial number.

Could I ask where you bought it. I would like to contact the manufacturer,if still in business?

Many thanks for your assistance.

[JimC]

I bought it second hand, a private sale from Mayo. Like yours there was no plates etc. other than the "fastliner" sticker on the side.
I was never able to find out who actually made them. There are lots of these still around the country. Obviously after going to a Warrior I did not follow up further. As of last year my old one was still on the water in West Cork.

[Otter]

Did you buy it from Westport in the mid, late 90's? Where you happy when you found out it was not an Orkney? Panda Boats and Leisure was a company (1990 - Messrs Armstrong, Dooley & Moore) in the SE which may have made them?

[JimC]

Yes it was in Westport, i would guess something like 1997 ish. There was a pair of them there...
We knew that they were not the "real thing". You can tell from subtle differences, apart from the fact that there was no plate and suchlike. It was also not perfectly like the Fastliner "Bass Hunter" which was the Orkney centre console version.
As I say I never followed the Panda trail to its end.

[Otter]

Yes it was in Westport, i would guess something like 1997 ish. There was a pair of them there...
We knew that they were not the "real thing". You can tell from subtle differences, apart from the fact that there was no plate and suchlike. It was also not perfectly like the Fastliner "Bass Hunter" which was the Orkney centre console version.
As I say I never followed the Panda trail to its end.

Appreciate your candor. I remember now at that time there were three for hire at westport quay. I tried one out for a day and really liked it. Funny how I ended up buying one after 15 years.

[Tarf1]

Hi just wondering if this is a Panda copy of the Orkney as transom rubbing strake is not stainless and high roof cuddy is also non standard

[Otter]

Hi Tarf1, Just saw your post. Take a photo of inside the boat looking to the stern. Include port and starboard in the photo. Then I can compare it.

[JimC]

Only seeing this myself too!
Yes! I'd say that yours is a copy. That cuddy would be a giveaway, it is not the "Standard" Orkeny cuddy.

[JimC]

I surely must have more photos than this but hell knows where they are!
Picture was taken in summer 1999 - That's Donal Domeney furthest off in the picture

granuaile (Medium).jpg

[Otter]

Just this week I met a gentleman who worked building these boats as far back as the 1970's. Apparently they were built under license originally from Orkney in the UK, until they were "improved." It would be interesting to learn if any made had a hull number, if there are any other Orkney Fastliner 19/ Panda Boats copies around the coast?

[JimC]

There are a few around cork harbour