Tell me what to look for please

[John Jones]

I'm considering buying an older Aquasport 22'.  I am not sure of the year and model but will find out tomorrow.

What are the bad and ugly things I need to look for, especially the hidden ones?
I know the gas tanks corrode.

Thanks in advance.

[Wilson]

Gas tanks corrode, decks soften and delaminate, as do transoms, foam takes on water.

Unless it has been rebuilt you probably have at least 1 of these problems.

Sorry to be pessemistic, but....

Welcome aboard.

[Seadog]

John - the problem with older hulls is alot of the troubles are hidden. Sometimes you gotta drill holes or cut her open and take a look under the deck to see whats up.  

If shes pretty young and selling at a pretty high price it's a good idea to get her surveyed.  It's worth the $200 - $400.  Depends on your location. Probably not worth that expense if the price is low or if shes got tons of obvious problems. Let us know when you get more info.

Best of Luck!

[Wilson]

He's right.  The money spent on a surveyor would be money WELL spent.  They can tell you things that you would never have known.

[John Jones]

Thanks for the tips guys.  I was going to check it out today but it's dumping rain over here today.  
I'm fairly handy and have done a couple of stringer and transom rebuilds so I have a clue as to how much work it can be.  I just am not familar with Aquasports and their specific problems.

Where is the general location of the foam that gets waterlogged?

[Seadog]

My water logged foam was in the foam filled stringers - 1970 Aquasport 222. I mean tons of water. Plywood cored floor was rotten on sections, plywood cored transom was rotten too. Transom 1.   Transom 2.

[John Jones]

Thanks.  I do know the floor is rock solid in this one.  This tells me what to look for.

[Anonymous]

Ok.  Here is what I found.
year still unk
22-2
'rude 225 Oceanrunner - claim compression is good
SS prop
Ok galv trailer
tower made from alum box tubing
dual controls
floor seems solid
original gas tank  

Hull is still shiny on sides.  bottom paint cracked and peeling   Topside is normal for it's age.





console is okay.  teak looks like old teak always does.


lots of mickey mouse stuff here


And the killer is the port stringer is separated from the hull in the back (couldn't see it forward of course)



You guys are the only "experts" I have available.     What do you think would be a fair price contingent on a wet test and compression check?  (or should I run)

[Radioshop]

The last two digits of the HIN (Hull ID Number) are the last two digits of the year.  No idea on price.  That delamed stringer looks ugly.

[Argo]

that "delamination" looks like a patch on it where the stringer meets the hull or the deck, whichever angle it is.  the glass just looks newer on that area than on the back ground.  If you want to do a little work on it then go for it.  Whats the price?

[Seadog]

Holy Moly that transom looks sick!

[Wilson]

I don't know if that glass was newer or not, but it looks more like it snapped and not delaminated.  Looks like a clean break, but that may just be the pic.

It has to be fixed or it will only get worse.  To fix it properly will be Alot of work.  The foam in the sringer is surely full of water.  

What price are they asking.

[captin.kid]

That has a potential with the right person... how much? You will have to do a lot of work to get it right but it would be worth it if the price is right.

[captin.kid]

that is a CCP yes?

[Wilson]

That does have potential, just depends on price.  It looks like it is rigged out well for bay fishing.

That transom does look like .  

One problem is that if he wants too much for the stuff he's got on it.  Then you have to put in tons of work.  It may not be worth it.  I think to  fix that stringer you are going to have to tear it apart.

If you are looking for a project that big, go buy a $1000 hull.

That's just my opinion.