1974 19-6 aquasport

[rescuranger911]

I recently was given a '74 19-6 aquasport center console without a engine and a bad trailer. The hull itself is solid except for some soft spots in the floor. I plan to redo the floors but just wondering if this boat i worth fixing. I know the old aquasports are great hulls but wondering what the experts think...Can anyone shed some light on my issue?

[Skoot]

IMO I say no, its not worth fixing up.  A 74, 19-6 is not a desirable hull.  Most people are searching for the 22-2 for a rebuild. Plus, its an old boat (33yrs old) and Im sure has more problems than a soft deck.  You dont want to waste your time, money and effort on a 19-6 just to turn around and wish you had a 22-2. Tell you what, PM me and I will take it off your hands, with no questions asked.

Skoot

[MarshMarlowe196]

That's about the same condition my 19-6 was in when I got it, except I had to pay for mine  :)  The original floor in my boat is still rock solid, minus the piece of floor over the gas tank.

I'm no Aquasport "expert", but I know a good bit about my 19-6.  I'd say it all depends on what you plan to use the boat for and how much work you're realistically willing to put into it.  This boat has a comparably shallow Vee-Hull with a small pair of planing chimes toward the bow which makes it relatively slow and mainly designed for inshore use (it can be a rough riding boat), although you could take it offshore on a good day.  But, it can plane out and run at a tolerable speed with very little horsepower (I used to have an old 90HP Evinrude powering my 19-6 and I could run about 32mph).  If you're planning on offshore use, I would say there are boats out there better designed for that purpose.  

Are you planning on reselling the boat?  For whatever reason, the older Aquasports aren't really worth that much...

You would have to repower the boat.  What shape is the transom in?  Would you want a longer shaft outboard?  You'd have to build up the transom 5"/install a jackplate to accomodate.

Of course there are all the little things that come along with refitting/restoring any old boat (wiring, plumbing, etc.).

If you like the boat and you think it fits your purpose,  I would say its worth it.  It's a lightweight boat for it's size, it was built very well, it's a great, stable fishing boat, and it floats in about a foot of water, while still being seaworthy in an offshore situation.  

If you're looking for a boat to calm the wind and flatten the seas, a 19-6 may not be the boat for you.

[rescuranger911]

Thanks for the input guys. the transom is solid just the floors are weak. All the stringers look in tact just cant tell if their solid yet. As for what im looking for basically a stable boat i can dive out of with little effort. (I have a 27ft rambo CC but dive tanks don't go well in a new boat) and do some inshore fishing in West Palm here and down in the keys. I was thinking somewhere along a 90-115 hp would do the trick. I'm not looking to set any water speed records! I'm thinking a little work on the hull, some paint, a motor and some new wiring I could have a usable boat for way less than i could buy something new for. I'll get some picture up here soon!

[MarshMarlowe196]

Sounds like the boat will be a good fit for you.  As skoot mentioned, the 22-2 is the more desirable model, but it's really a just a longer 19-6 (or is the 19-6 a shorter 22-2? probably).  

Besides, you'd probably have to buy a 22-2

IMHO, the 19-6 is plenty big enough and has a nice open floorplan.  Most of them didn't come with any boxes in the stern like newer boats have, which will give you plenty of space for dive tanks.  The HP you're planning on using will be plenty on this boat.

Here's a link to a post of a 19-6 deck rebuild already in progress:
http://www.classicaquasport.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3802

[rescuranger911]

I'm sure many of people have asked this question before but, if I were to get someone to replace the floors for me basically from the step up front where the 3 fish boxes are to the transom, considering I do all the removal of the old floors. What should I expect to pay? Im sure you guys have ran into this before...I'm thinking i may want this done right while I'm good at rigging and wiring and all fiberglass work is not my cup of tea. So far I've figured about $4,000 to make this boat into a pretty nice fishing/dive boat. If I ever do re-sell it anyone see a problem with getting that much out of it?

[MarshMarlowe196]

That depends on a lot of different factors, the motor you go with being one of the biggest factors.  Most people expect to buy a boat with a solid floor, and although having a freshly rebuilt floor is a selling point, I don't think it would increase the value of your boat significantly.

I'd say a later model outboard, a decent trailer, and a well equipped 19-6 might fetch you $4K

[rescuranger911]

Yep still have the boat. Ended up putting new floors in and a small console and a 115 yamaha. Great boat for what I needed it for. Perfect for diving and fishing in the keys where it lives in the water now.