1971 Aquasport 193.5

[1973aquasport]

Here goes nothing, long time enthusiast, former Aquasport owner. 5 years ago I started the restoration of a 1973 Aquasport 170 and almost got it to the finish line but at the last second, my plans shifted and I ended up getting a different boat. I've never really stopped dreaming about Aquasports; here in the Tampa Bay area it seems that there are so many of them. Being built down in Hialeah, most of these ole Aquasports never left the Sunshine State.

I found a listing on Facebook Marketplace for a 1971 Aquasport 196. I arrive to check out the boat and it's in great shape and the price was right. The previous owner (prior to the seller) had it rigged up for commercial fishing out of Fort Pierce, FL. Transom was glassed in with Coosa, manual jackplate installed, console height was shortened to accommodate additional overhead casting room, 40gal fuel tank installed in the center storage compartment in the rear, plumbed for a baitwell pickup, and the front casting deck has been removed. There are a few areas in the gunnels where rodholders weren't installed yet and I can see that Coosa was used here too. If I had to guess, I suspect that the floors were redone with Coosa as well. Essentially, it is a blank slate and just needs all rigging and wiring. I have a 2003 Carolina Skiff with a 4-stroke Yamaha 150 that will be the "donor vessel" for this.

Now, let me address the contradiction that is this post's title. I started doing some research and discovered that Aquasport didn't make a 196 in 1971, but rather that was the last year of the 191. I figured that the seller just inadvertently made an error in the listing and didn't think much of it. I also read some posts on here about how the hull of the 191 is very distinct, with strakes terminating at the transom. The hull that I've purchased doesn't have these strakes. Further, I used a measuring tape and the boat is indeed 19'6" long. Given that the transom was reglassed, I was doubtful that I'd be able to find any type of hull ID number. I almost missed it, but etched into the fiberglass on the back right side of the transom there was the hull ID number. It matches the hull ID that is on the title for the boat. The title says its a 1971 19'1" but given the shape of the hull, I know that can't be the case. So from what I can gather, it would appear that somewhere along the line someone had a 196 that didn't have a title and somehow through some sneaky registration got that hull assigned to the title of this 1971 19'1. So what I have on my hands is what I'm dubbing the 193.5.

[RickK]

Could be an early 196, built in '71 and sold. The 196 was the "new" 12 degree hull.
Lets see a pic of the aft so I can see the bottom of the transom.

[1973aquasport]

I couldn't get the file sizes beneath the limit so here are links to 2 hosted photos of the transom.

https://ibb.co/XxhRR7g
https://ibb.co/z6nw8rq

[dbiscayne]

I thought I've seen other pics of 19-1 models without the strakes all the way to the transom but of course can't find any pics now.
Heres my '71 19-1 with the strakes.

[RickK]

I couldn't get the file sizes beneath the limit so here are links to 2 hosted photos of the transom.

https://ibb.co/XxhRR7g
https://ibb.co/z6nw8rq

Yup, looks like a 12 degree hull. So it must have been an early release or like you mentioned, a lost title.
If you want to post a pic when you talk about your boat, which you should, follow the instructions here http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=12725.0  - don't attach them - you are limited by file size and guessing what size to make the file will usually reduce the pic too much. Uploading them into your "member gallery" is better for viewing and the system takes whatever size you upload and resizes it to the best size.
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.

[Capt. Bob]

I thought I've seen other pics of 19-1 models without the strakes all the way to the transom

Here's one. Scroll down the thread. I believe the Gull model came this way.

https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=14284.0

[RickK]

The Osprey and Gull hulls were the same. The differences were inside, like console and console location, casting decks, etc