1987 250 Express Fisherman

[duffel]

Hello!

I'd like to introduce myself and my new-to-me 1987 250 Express Fisherman powered by an Evinrude 225 of the same year.  The three of us (boat, motor and me) are old, but at least the boat and motor seem to be in pretty good shape.  The boat has no serious flas and the motor starts and shifts easily.  The trailer, a 1997 Loadmaster aluminum bunk trailer with disc brakes on one axle, is in need of brakes and and lights.  However, as part of the $5000 for everything deal, the seller threw in a new brake actuator and two new disc brake assemblies.  I'd like to hear from others who own similar boats.   I'm  in particularly interested the strengths and weaknesses of this particular model.  I've attempted to include some pictures following the instructions on the website.  Hopefully, I'll be successful.  You've got a terrific website. Keep up the good work.

Regards
Duffel

[wingtime]

Welcome aboard Duffel!   Nice boat you have there!  Where ya located?

[duffel]

Hello Wingtime:

I live in Falls Church, VA, just outside Washington. DC.  The boat is at my place in Heathsville, VA, near where the Potomac River meets the Chesapeake Bay.  How about yourself?

Regards,
Duffel

[duffel]

Hi!  
I think I may be geeting the hang of this posting pictures thing!  Here are a few more pic's of my boat.  As you can see, I've got some work to do on the cable situation, and some repair work on the port side bolster backing.
Regards,
Duffel

[Capt. Bob]

Duffel,
It looks like you have the photo posting down

Nice looking craft. For additional specs click herehttp://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showgallery.php/cat/574

My one point would be to check your fuel tank. The in-deck installations are nortorious for leaking on the underside where the mounting straps trap moisture. Not just your model but all in-deck installs. I have replaced the tank in my 84 CCP and I'm in the process of replacing the one in my 91 WAC. Plenty of threads dealing with this and what each is doing to extend the life of the tank.

Good luck and welcome aboard.

[duffel]

Hello Capt. Bob:

Thanks for the welcome and the tip on the fuel tank problem.  I'll check it out.  From your experience with Aquasport boats do you happen to know if there is a preferred source for replacement fuel tanks?  I may not need a tank at this particular point in time (there is no odor of fuel in the bilge), but the boat is 20+ years old and the tank may need to be replaced in the future.  I'd sure like to have an experienced source for a replacement fuel tank available if/when the need arises.  Thanks again.

Regards,
Duffel

[RickK]

Welcome aboard duffel  :!:  :!:
No doubt you've figured out the pix part of posting  
Nice big boat - you'll enjoy it and sounds like you got a hell of a deal

I notice the tower where it mounts to the floor just behind the helm and 1st mate seats - I wonder why they have them there - seems odd and a toe-stubber for sure.  Maybe the tower wiggled side-to-side a bit?

[Capt. Bob]

Hello Capt. Bob:

Thanks for the welcome and the tip on the fuel tank problem.  I'll check it out.  From your experience with Aquasport boats do you happen to know if there is a preferred source for replacement fuel tanks?  I may not need a tank at this particular point in time (there is no odor of fuel in the bilge), but the boat is 20+ years old and the tank may need to be replaced in the future.  I'd sure like to have an experienced source for a replacement fuel tank available if/when the need arises.  Thanks again.

Regards,
Duffel

Duff,
Here's a link to the resource forum. Lot's of good stuff therehttp://www.classicaquasport.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=3086

Phil (Alloy Metal) is north of you and has made a number of the replacement tanks for the members on this forum. I talked with him and would have used him except for the freight charges. The orginal tanks were built in several places in Fla. and I'm only 50 miles from one so...but I don't think you will find too many members unsatisfied with his work. If nothing else, he's great to talk to.
The only real way to check the tank is to remove it. Usually when you fill the tank to capacity and go out on a rough day, the leaks reveal themselves. The tank will shift more when she's full and that is often enough to open the holes caused by years of slow corrosion.
When you do decide to check out the tank, take some pics. I'll be very curious to how it's mounted.
There's a couple of pics from another thread in this forum showing the tank I just removed from the 91 WAC I'm currently working on.

Good luck.

[wingtime]

Duffel,  I replaced the tank in my 81.  I wasn't leaking yet, but since my coffin cover was off for repair I pulled the tank and cleaned it up.  I found some deep corrosion pits under some foam tape a previous owner had put between the tank and straps.  I might have been OK for a season or two before it started to leak but I went ahead and replaced it anyways.  

Your cable situation is easily fixed with a new boot.  My boat's cable opening was way worse than yours when I bought it.  Someone had opened up the bottom of the hole with a 3" x 5" cutout and then covered half of the opening with some starboard.  I an only imagine the water gushing in there from a following wave.  YIKES!  If I have any pics I'll post them for ya.

[duffel]

Hello Wingtime, Capt. Bob and Rick:

Thanks for the information.  With regard to testing the integrity of the fuel tank, I'll give the full load of fuel and bouncing around a bit technique a try.  And when I pull off the coffin cover I'll definitely take and post pictures.

I need to spend some time on repairing the trailer brakes so I can safely move the boat from place to place.  Weather permitting I'm going to try to take on that job next weekend.

Regards,
Duffel