aquasport advise

[mike n]

I'm looking to buy a 1997 20 foot center console. and have some questions about the hull design.
When I go to the manufactures website they reference the 2015 hulls, they state the stringers are made of fiberglass with reinforced Kevlar in the hull, also the transoms are
poured ceramic with no wood construction. My question is how long has this been the case? Does the 1997 model have this?
I live in Maryland and will be mostly in the Chesapeake bay with this boat. Everything i`ve read about these boats has been positive, that is why I'm considering this brand of boat.
Has anyone had problems with the hulls on these boats? Is there anything I should look for when I look at this boat?
Your input is greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Mike N

[mshugg]

The only connection between the new Aquasports and the old is the name.  The new boats are being built in Hydrasports, molds.  I’ve never seen one, and I’m not even sure they’re still building boats.  As you observed, they have’nt updated their website since 2015.

The boat that you’re looking at was produced when Genmar owned Aquasport, and I think it had a composite transom and a balsa deck.  Aquasports have allways had fiberglass/ foam filled stringers.  The 200 Osprey is a great all arounder, kind of a bayboat before bayboats existed. 

I’m sure that some one who owns a Genmar era Aquasport can fill you in on reliability questions.
.

[wingtime]

the 97 200 Osprey is basically a 19'6" with a different cap.  1997 is around when they started doing the pour composite transoms.  And it was usually the bigger models that got it first.  So odds are a 97 200 Osprey has a plywood transom.  (it could be poured)  The decks could be either end grain balsa or plywood.

The "new" Aquasports being built in Tenn by Ebbtide are no real relation to the older ones. (they bought just the rights to the name)  All the old molds were destroyed when Genmar closed the plant in Sarasota.  I do know the current CEO (Rick or Richard something) used to work at the Sarasota plant.  As mentioned the new ones are being built in Hydrasport based molds.  I believe the caps had some changes to them.

[Capt. Bob]

And no... there is no Kevlar re-enforcement in the hull (or anywhere for that matter) in Genmar model Aquas.

[mike n]

Thank you for the useful information.
Overall is it a strong hull and transom design?
Has anyone had any problems with transom rot?
Mike N

[RickK]

I think you'll enjoy the boat - they're great hulls.
Here is a link to our "Buying a Used Aquasport Bible"
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=10634.0

[mike n]

Thank you RickK
very helpful information
Hope this boat turns out to be as good as it looks in the Pic`s