Brian's 1973 Aquasport 170 Rebuild

[1973aquasport]

Here goes nothing.  Bought this solid hull and trailer from a guy out of Gainesville for $1000. Allegedly, he pulled it out of a barn with the original 1973 Evinrude/Johnson.  A cursory inspection of the registrations sticker indicates the boat was last registered in 1993; it is likely that it has been sitting since then.  He ditched the motor and began the rebuild.  He removed the original wider console and replaced the flooring/decking atop the tank coffin with a synthetic starboard-like material and then affixed a smaller (less wide) console.  I have always thought that the consoles were far too wide anyways.  He was originally asking $1200 but the decking was in really poor condition so I got him down to $1000.  There were several areas where screws were put into the deck and were not properly sealed.  Much of the deck aft, left of console, and forward is severely rotten and has a nice "trampoline" like effect. The transom appears to be in really good condition; there are only a few areas around the sides where it is spider cracking. 

My plan is to remove all decking, with the exception of the "hockey stick" cable/wire tray and replace with either marine grade plywood or a synthetic "Plascore" honeycomb-like material.  Anybody that has experience using the "Plascore" type materials is more than welcome to chime in.  Here are a few photos.

I started demo-ing the deck today, will add more photos later. 

[dirtwheelsfl]

I like the Plascore better than the Nidacore, its got smaller "cells" and it makes it a lil easier to work with.   Call RAKA for the best price on it!

[1973aquasport]

I like the Plascore better than the Nidacore, its got smaller "cells" and it makes it a lil easier to work with.   Call RAKA for the best price on it!

What is RAKA?

Started demoing the deck today after work.  About 45 minutes is all I can cut it in a tyvek suit and a respirator.  My plan is to leave 1-2" of top fiberglass piece around perimeter.  The new deck will be the same height as the previous, as I am hoping to tie into the tank coffin and existing cable tray.  A cursory inspection of the stringers shows that they are dry 

[1973aquasport]

Wow it has been quite some time since I updated this post.  I've made some significant headway with this job.  I ordered a Moeller 25 gallon below deck tank and it fit perfectly in the old tank coffin. In order to accommodate the new floor height I cut a little out of the bottom of the coffin so the tank rests a little further down in the coffin.  After affixing neoprene feet and foaming the tank in place I began the process of running the lines.   

I'm currently having an issue with running the fill line.  The standard size for the gunnel-mounted fill fitting is 1.5" however, on the tank the fill is reduced to 1".    The only way I can make it work would be to get a 1" 90 and then a 1.5" to 1" reducer fitting.  Even then I worry that it will take an hour to fill her up at the pump.  I can not see any conceivable reason as to why they would manufacture the tank with a 1" fill.  Am I missing something here?

The deck is mostly in place.  I utilized the existing "hockey stick" tray as a cable chase and mounted the new deck atop.  I mounted a bilge pump aft and put a thru hull fitting on the port side.  I have a deck plate over the bilge for easy access.  I also have a deck plate forward of the console to provide access to the fuel tank.  The console still has not been secured to the deck. 

 

I'm running over to the boat now to snap some pics.  Much help is appreciated.

[1973aquasport]

There are some missing photos in this series but you get the general idea.  My deck was rotten, as expected.  I demo'ed everything but the "hockey stick" cable tray and laid the new deck atop the existing tabs around the perimeter.  I had a few areas where I had to build up atop the stringers so I had something secure to put the deck into.  I also put a few wooden stringers crosswise aft, where the bilge now rests.



















The last image illustrates what I am trying to convey, that the fill line (taped close with blue tape) is 1.5" diameter while the fill on the tank is only 1". 

[finsleft258]

It appears the one on the tank is 1.5" OD. The ID is 1".

[RickK]

Not sure how this thread sat un-answered for this long, that's not like us - sorry. Looks like you need an elbow on it - could cause some turbulence and problems filling tank quickly.
So what did you end up with?

[1973aquasport]

Not sure how this thread sat un-answered for this long, that's not like ME - SORRY!

5 years ago I got this 170 almost to the finish line. I got into oyster farming afterwards and this wouldn't have been the right boat for it. I got out of this 170 and into a Carolina Skiff but my passion for Aquasports has remained. Just yesterday I picked up a 1971 Aquasport 191. I will be starting a new thread shortly.

[RickK]

 

[Capt. Bob]

Sounds good.
Looking forward to it.