Stop Lurking and Start Posting!! Introduce Yourself Here!

[skunka]

Hello Everyone,

After searching the web and looking at various CC's, I fell in love with the way classic AquaSports look. I picked up this 89' 196 yesterday. She's going to be one hell of a project, but she seems solid. Part of me feels like I'm in over my head with this boat but I am prepared to learn. So great to have this forum and its wealth of knowledge. I will be taking care of smaller things before I start tearing into larger projects.

I'd like to find a new trailer. I just don't want to put money into the one its on. What size do y'all recommend for this boat? Should I go ahead and find a double axle, or will a single axle with stout tires and springs be enough? I've found decent 22' trailers, but they seem short for the boat. I want to put the boat a few inches/foot back to minimize tongue weight while still being safe.

Also, me being new to this and naive; although the HID from the hull matches the title, the number has nothing to do with AquaSport. I should have been smarter sooner and I hope I'm not screwed by this... HID starts with 'QUA'. Should have been a red flag, but hindsight is 20-20.

Any input on any of this would be appreciated!

Pictures taken at PO's house

[mshugg]

Be careful.  You don’t really want to minimize tongue weight.  Your tongue weight should be 5-10% of your fully loaded trailer weight.  If you go too light, you can introduce sway and a bunch of other handling problems that can lead to a wreck.  It’s better to plan your rig so the boat is well supported, trailer has a bit of surplus capacity and your rig is balanced.

[RickK]

Welcome aboard Skunka - X2 on what mshugg said about keeping some weight on the tongue. I don't think that the HIN is a problem. '88 was around the time that Genmar bought Aquasport and maybe the manuf ID changed - my '92 starts with AQA.

[Capt. Bob]

Also, me being new to this and naive; although the HID from the hull matches the title, the number has nothing to do with AquaSport. I should have been smarter sooner and I hope I'm not screwed by this... HID starts with 'QUA'. Should have been a red flag, but hindsight is 20-20.
Any input on any of this would be appreciated!

First, welcome aboard.

Second, the "Q" is probably an "O".

OUA was the listing for Aquasport Marine Industries. I believe but it's just a guess, that when they first came out of bankruptcy in 89, this was the manufacturer code they were given.  Again not sure but OUA is a correct code for Aquasport of which there were several over the lifetime of the Marque.

[nic]

I inherited a 2000 Osprey 175 with a Johnson 115.   The boat has been sitting for 2 years out of the shop, we had a lower end put in and we are not sure how long it was sitting at my in-laws before 2 years ago.   I know it was garage kept, the boat is in great shape.  Now I need to get 2 new batteries and drain the gas and ensure I take the right steps and procedures on starting up the boat.   This is my first boat and ideally keep it on the water as long as possible.  Need to learn on maintaining, upkeep and do's and don'ts.  I have a lot to learn.

[RickK]

Welcome aboard Nic - you'll enjoy the 175.

[Capt. Bob]

Welcome aboard Nic.

She'll run real well with the 115. A good place to start on the motor is replacing the impeller on the water pump. You stated that you replaced the lower unit so this may have already been completed. You can also replace the spark plugs and the thermostats. This will then give you a good baseline for future maintenance.

Good luck.

[Pevy73]

Hello, recently purchased a 2002 Explorer 250. Still trying to figure a few things out. I have a fresh water tank that I can’t figure out where you actually access the water in that tank.  I seen a raw water switch on the console and a valve on the stern that you can hook a water hose to in order to wash down the deck while at sea.  In addition to this I can’t find the switch to turn on the spreader lights.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[roncope]

Hey Everyone!  Got lucky and purchased a nice boat someone had already re-done....just a little cosmetic work and she'll be as good as new!  Thanks for the add.

[RickK]

  aboard pevy and ron

[Capt. Bob]

Welcome aboard Pevy and Ron

[Roon]

Hello to alllllll,
New and want to say hello and ask a question of course lol.
First off I tried posting pictures but I guess cell makes pictures too big.
I recently purchased a 1980, 23' family fisherman cuddy cabin.
Pleased to say hello to all
Roon
Russell

[RickK]

Welcome aboard Russell. 
The best way to get pictures into your posts is to upload them to your free member gallery here. The gallery resizes anything you upload to 800x600 so you don't have to resize them. Follow the instructions here http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=12725.0  - don't attach them - you are limited by file size. Uploading them into your "member gallery" is better for viewing.
Spend a few minutes to absorb the instructions. It's really easy. Remember if using a phone to take pics, to hold the phone horizontal with the lens to the left.
Look forward to seeing your rig.

[Capt. Bob]

Welcome aboard Russell. 

When you solve the photo mystery, be sure to post up your pics in the thread I started for you in the "Engine" forum.
https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=15625.msg152318;topicseen#new

Good luck.

[cduck870]

Hi, I just aquired a 1979 Aquasport 170 and would appreciate information on how to start a rebuild thread where I can post information and pictures.  Also ask for a lot of help.  Any help would be appreciated  Thanks,  Wayne