70’s Fi glass 18ft Lightning
Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: General Forums
Forum Name: The Boat Shed
Forum Description: Discuss all things boating.
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=137448
Printed Date: 08 Jun 2026 at 4:34pm
Topic: 70’s Fi glass 18ft Lightning
Posted By: Gusachello
Subject: 70’s Fi glass 18ft Lightning
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2023 at 8:57am
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Hi everyone, I have just purchased a 18ft fi glass lightning. The purchase was primarily for the motor as I was going to transfer it onto my 16ft 70’s Marlborough rapier but I’m now wondering if I’m better off just keeping the lightning & selling the rapier. I’m hoping someone on here is willing to share their wisdom on the sea worthiness or how well the lightning performs when the conditions catch you out. I use the boat for fishing in Tasman bay & occasionally out of Westport on the west coast. Thanks 
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Replies:
Posted By: Malcolm in the Middle
Date Posted: 31 Jan 2023 at 3:48pm
| Being a low runabout configuration my thoughts are it may be a little vulnerable for west coast bar conditions? |
Posted By: OneWayTraffic
Date Posted: 02 Feb 2023 at 4:15pm
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Inclined to agree, but 2' longer is 60cm longer. First I'd check the condition of the boats carefully, especially for transom rot, before deciding which to keep. With such and old boat I'd be surprised if there wasn't some work needing done. Then if you do want to keep a low sheer boat for West Coast I'd say that massive scuppers and pumps along with upright floatation would be a must. Can you work with glass?
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Posted By: Coutta
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2023 at 11:36am
| I had a Marlborough Rapier of the same vintage. Perhaps not as much room as the Lightning but with the 21 degree vee they are an incredible little seaboat and don't know how to broach when coming back through a bar. I know which hull I'd be keeping. |