246 CCP

[Mark Sr]

What year did they start and stop producing the CCP with the coffin boxes? Was one year better then another. Did the hulls change alot?

Mark Sr

[damnitbadger]

I think the coffins came with the first model and went to an in floor fish box and console seat bait box in 1988 (at least with the 222). I think the CCP 222 production ceased around 1991, very few were made in the final 3 years of production. Not sure about the 20' and the 25'.

[Mark Sr]

Where the older hulls made better than the Genmar hulls? If so when did Genmar take over Aquasport?

[Capt. Bob]

Where the older hulls made better than the Genmar hulls? If so when did Genmar take over Aquasport?

You'll get arguments on that on for sure. :o

The Hialeah hulls used wood in the transom and deck areas. The later models (after 1993?) used composite material.
Which is better?
Genmar took over Aqua in 1988 (http://www.classicaquasport.com/archives/web_site_info/) but Rick's 93 230 Explorer has wood in the transom so I'm not sure just where the cut off is. Since they were making the Aqua at the Wellcraft plant in Sarasota I would guess mid nineties was when the change occured.

The older models suffer from wood rot and tank failures. The newer ones suffer from lost identity, high cost and weight retention.
I personally like the newer (96 and up) look and style but the current asking price hurts and fixing up an older one can too. In my quest for a WAC I've seen all kinds of junk, both new and old.
 
If you love the original themes then older is what you want.
Looking for less work(?) then the Genmar route is available but.....

Skoot's come across a 72 that looks real nice, so the older ones are still out there if you are persistant.

[Mark Sr]

Thanks everyone, I was curious because I like the center consoles with the coffin boxes and deep gunnels up front with the handrails. Just trying to get info on that model.

Thanks

[GoneFission]

Late 70s through mid 80s had the coffin boxes - by 87 the coffins were gone.  The 20, 22, and 24 foot models had different coffins, each getting bigger with the boat.  I've always felt a 24 foot CCP with the 22 foot coffin would be a good match, because it would give an extra open space at the bow.    I like the 22 foot coffin a little better than the 20 foot model, because it has the extra box in the front that opens forward, with a lockable hasp.  There was also an optional under-deck locker offered in all CCP models - just in front of the coffin.  

The coffins were replaced by in-deck fish/stowage boxes, but I like the coffins for seating and dry stowage.  I can seat 6 on my boat comfortably using the coffin for seating.  The coffins are also insulated so you can use them as big coolers if ya want.  
 

Not a great picture here, but you can see the coffin layout; note the under-deck access hatch in front of the coffin:



Hope this helps - see ya on the water!