History lesson on 170 needed in CA

[Lilroo]

Long story short. I just sold my Kencraft 206 after 7 great years because I felt the need to downsize. I know, it may be a decision that I forever regret as I loved it. But I am offloading my wifes Ford Expedition and I just want to try something new. I primarily salt water fly fish. (west coast). That makes me even more unique. So I have been looking at various 17-ish foot models that interest me. Something easy to tow with smaller rig, no T-top, smaller motor size, riggable for a trolling motor, fly friendly bow area, etc, etc...
So I stumbled on to several makes/models zeroing in on the basic layout that is common to several mfgrs such as Key West 1720.
Then along comes a few Aquasport 170's.................Hmmm that looks nice.
While doing this research I have tried to get the "story" on certain hulls. There are always years that some boats make a jump to new styles or materials or improvements.
Have the opportunity to look at 170's from 1972 all the way to late 90's models that are pretty turn key.
Thinking I may get knee deep into a resto, is there any advice on older models such as the '72 or other benchmark years that are "gottchas" or notable items to be aware of. (Rotting transoms not withstanding!)
Seem like cool little boats.
Thanks for any input-- Andy

[akbridge]

170s are great little boats.  There are some articles on this site from the early '70s about the hull.  Try reading those.  I would give a link but its a pain typing on an iPhone.  A lot of the early boats still seem to be running around.  Mine included.  The pre 72 hulls had the fuel tank above the sole.  It's a catch 22.  Less tank corrosion but less storage.  After 72 the hulls were mostly unchanged until the 175 came out. Then the boats reciecved a poured transom and a few updates.  It's only a start to your question.  But I hope it helps.

[Lilroo]

thanks
turned out to be a '77 thats in need of a whole lot a TLC. Lots of thudding sounds at the lower end of the tramsom and plenty of treats all over the place that need redo. Someones going to have their hands full, just not sure if it going to be me!

[Fletch170]

Good Morning!

I have a 76 which I'm finishing up at the moment. There are the outliers out there, which are completely dry and original, but they are few and far between. Just ASSUME a transom/ floor and stringer rebuild.

Kind Regards,

-Fletch

[kraw2]

I own both a 1976 Aquasport and a 1995 Key West 1720 so I might be able to help.

With the Key West 1720 it is a great boat. I don't remember what year but the early ones have aluminum fuel tanks. My 1995 did and they will be corroded and leaking if you look at one this old. They changed to Poly tanks later. You can find all you need on the 1720 at http://www.keywestboatsforum.com. You will find a thread on there for changing the fuel tank under handi2. my user name on that forum. Also with Key West there is no wood to worry about. It's all composite and fiberglass construction.

The Aquasport 170 is also a great boat and is larger in size than the Key West. It will also ride completely different then the Key West. The ride in a chop is better with the KW boat with more deadrise at the transom. The AS 170 is more stable at rest.

The console on the KW is tiny and not enough room for 2 batteries unless you do some major work. KW also puts the battery AND the fuel water seperater in the tiny compartment on the rear starboard side. A big no no for the USCG. The KW is pre wired for a trolling motor, 12v. I moved the battery to under the console.

[gran398]

Excellent post kraw, a versus b.

The AS 170 is a great running boat.

Lilroo, if were in Cali hunting a smaller CC....I'd take a strong look at a 17/18  Hydrasport, especially the older Kevlar hulls. They run like a scalded dog through anything.

Their soft, dry entry would be great for offshore fishing your way in that long swell.

Probably not a big name over there. Hydrasport at the heyday was manufactured in Tenn...all of the 70's/ early 80's  Hydrasports are the cat's meow...laid up with Kevlar, not fiberglass. The compression strength of the Kevlar is impressive...but the hull design/running attitude/entry of all of their hulls was way ahead of the times.

They took the Potter Seacraft hull design and ran with it across the product line.

[Capt. Bob]

laid up with Kevlar, not fiberglass.

Probably should say Kevlar "and" fiberglass. Producing a solid Kevlar hull would be rather costly and I recall it doesn't deal well with UV radiation. A quick check of the Hydra site shows they still use it in the keel section of models. That stated, they were/still are solid built hulls. A friend of mine who replaced his 84 CCP with a late 90s Hydra comparing both rides stated,"Compared to the Hydra, the CCP was like driving a 64 Chevy with four bad tires."

[gran398]

Back then, according to the sales literature at least, they were 100% Kevlar. The ones advertised as Kevlar have "KV" stamped on the stern as a portion of the hull ID#. The Kevlar layup later became a Hydrasports option.

But in terms of ride....the layup schedule was/is a moot point.

The ride of those old hulls was unbelievable. The new one's don't hold a candle to them. The entry was the thing. They don't bang, flop, crash, dig, nothing. Easy and VERY soft. The 2400CC was the cat-daddy back then.

They would throw water 40 feet off the fore-end on the entry in a good sea. In a wind over 15mph...bring the foul weather gear...you're gonna get wet

[Fletch170]

I'm helping my dad restore a 22. It is 100% Kevlar.

However, I don't think the small ones are Kevlar, right?

[Lilroo]

Its tough out here in CA when you look at what is available. We just dont have the boating masses that you have out east.
When I decided to downsize from the Kencraft, I dreampt up this perfect little boat that would be good for bays,harbors, inland water and a little nearshore stuff when the day permitted. Want to stay in the 1200 lb dry hull catagory and also stay smaller in design as opposed to reaching for the "biggest little boat in its class" type of boat. I would end up going full circle back to what I had. I will sacrafice on my ability to fish outside of the breakwater but that will be for someone else boat in the future, at least thats my idea.Want to keep it easy to tow with a smaller vehicle.
So.....
The comparisons start. Key west 1720 certainly checks off most of the boxes on my list. I would like to have room for 2 batts for a trolling motor and a starter batt. That is tough on key west and I dont like them in the transom box.Was thinking that the underseat livewell could be modified?
A total rebuild of a boat......now thats a whole nuther topic but it really intrigues me because you could dial in your boat exactly how you want it and create something unique. Thus the 170 is on the list.
once in a blue moon I see listings for:
Hydrasport
SeaHunt 172
Sea Fox 172
Pioneer
Scout 17?
Kenner
and the list goes on.... I drool over all of the Craigslist listings for small boats you guys have from Houston East.
If you a looking for a classic car then CA is nervana, a classic center con; not so much!!!
Andy

[Capt. Bob]

Back then, according to the sales literature at least, they were 100% Kevlar. The ones advertised as Kevlar have "KV" stamped on the stern as a portion of the hull ID#. The Kevlar layup later became a Hydrasports option.

Scott, don't doubt for a minute that Hydra advertised that. Seems pretty standard for the industry still, the cost factor just seems too extreme for assembly line boats so...

I sent an e-mail to Hydra Sport and asked two questions.
Did you make a 100% Kevlar hull?
When did you first use Kevlar in the build?

Received this today.

Robert,

 

            Hydrasport never built a 100% Kevlar boat. The majority of them have Kevlar reinforcement in strategic areas. There was a period of time that they did offer a boat that had an entire layer of Kevlar in the build for the whole hull. Unfortunately I do not have dates for these, but I do know that the HIN numbers for these boats had a K at the end of them.

 

Kevlar has been used since 1997.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Thank you,

 
(EDIT Note: Master Craft logo appeared here in e-mail)


RON ADAIR

PRODUCT SUPPORT REPRESENATIVE

Ron.Adair@hydra-mfg.com

423.884.7872 fax 800.537.8742

Take this with a grain of salt because I've seen references to Hydra hulls from the 80's with claimed Kevlar laminated hulls on THT. Then again, I've seen reference to Kevlar use not beginning till the 90s on the same Forum.
Place whatever faith you choose in this e-mail response from Master Craft. I still feel that complete builds of Kevlar would be cost prohibitive for most production run hulls and I'm not sure that they would be all that great. Then again, who knows what info we are getting from the current owners of Hydra Sport.

Kinda cool tracking this stuff though.
It's why I love our Forum so much. SB's CD is gold and what really makes the Forum for me. It's the hunt.

[gran398]

Excellent Bob. That's what it's all about, getting down to the chase

I knew there was a K (willing to bet he is wrong, remember "KV") in there...way back. Good work on the sleuthing bro.

There was a question earlier about a 17 with Kevlar. I would like to think that in the first years of 1700CC  production they were laid with Kevlar as per Bob's input. As best I remember, when Hydrasport was introduced in the marketplace...the Kevlar hull was advertised throughout the production range.

Since we're talking Hydrasports... they were huge here in the 70's. Johnson Marine of Wilmington, NC was the nation's #1 Hydrasport dealer, three years running. The live bait King Mackeral fishery was in its infancy. Carolina Beach invented live bait fishing for king mac. Not bragging. I had never heard of a KM back then

There wasn't a Seacraft dealer in the Carolinas. Sea Vee? Ocean Master? Every once in a while a doctor or attorney back then brought a true 24 degree deep vee up from Florida. But they were few and far between.

Consequently....Hydrasport took the market here. The first tournament boat the legendary Clayton Kirby of early SKA fame ran....A 2400 CC Hydrasport with a 235 Johnson. From Johnson Marine, ILM, NC. He bought it too. No gimmes back then.

Although not as well known/legendary/or expensive to acquire....a 2100 CC and 2400CC seventies Hydrasport will leave a 20 and 23 Potter Seacraft in their wakes...all day.

That's a big statement...but the truth. And not hull per hull...in the ocean, a seventies 21 Hydra will smoke a 23 Seacraft.

[CTsalt12]

Well I didn't know 175's were poured transom...And I own one.  

Lilroo-Try and get your hands on a 175.  I'm biased because I own one. It's just freaking perfect man.  You'd be hard pressed to find a 17.5 foot boat with the amount of storage and fishability.  Open front deck for casting (I'm a fly caster and plugger myself), plenty of room for gear, seating, and an amazing ride.  I rarely get wet and it's a very seaworthy boat.  Beam is a tad narrow, but the boat just rides really well through chop.  The spatial utility is unmatched by a boat of the size IMO.  I haven't seen anything better.