Opinions needed on 80's-90's Aquasports

[Aquamaniac]

Hello folks,
First post here.....having been severely bitten by the Aquasport bug.

There is no doubt that a 70's 19-1, 19-6, or 222 would make me one happy fisherman.  
In fact I would bet that before it is all over, I will own one.....likely rebuilding it myself (just love a project!)

However, I would like to be on the water and fishing "now" in an Aquasport that my wallet can afford  

I have located a few likely candidates....seemingly sound and reasonably rigged....

Do any of you Aquasport aficionados have any advice/opinions on the 19-6's or 200's built in say 85-98????

At least this way I can be afloat (in more ways than one!), while I keep fishing for a deal on a classic.
I appreciate your help.
 
BTW.....This forum is an incredible resource. I have spent hours learning (and drooling). My hat is off to those who have taken the time and effort to share.  

[Capt. Bob]

Do any of you Aquasport aficionados have any advice/opinions on the 19-6's or 200's built in say 85-98????

 85-89 Built at the Hialeah plant in south Fla.

90-98 Built at the Aqua/Wellcraft plant in Bradenton (west coast Fla).

Similar design but IMHO different riding hulls. The Hialeah hulls weight a little less than the Bradenton hulls. You may need to do some repair to the older models but only cosmetic on the newer ones. You can't really go wrong with a Bradenton hull as is. We have seen very few rebuilds on these and again IMHO they don't need them at this time.

The Hialeah hulls are the ones you read about being projects on this Forum and as you know, the sky(and one's wallet) is the limit on these.

What hulls are you presently looking at?

[icemanbryan]

Post up some photos.
There are very knowledgable guys here, they will give an honest opinion.

[wingtime]

Both are good hulls.  IT really depends on how well cared for the particular boats have had.  You could find a older Hialeah hull that is much better shape than a much newer Bradenton hull.  Simple thing like loose screws that were not rebeded (sealed) that allowed water intrusion into the deck of a 2001 hull may have a rotted core.  The best thing is to go look at each boat you find.  For instance I looked at a  late 90's 175 hull that was for sale.  The boat looked nice but the original owner had done some mods that allowed water intrusion.  So the deck was soft all over the place and I wasn't too trusting of the transom.  Then I found a sweet honey of a 1987 170 that had been meticulously cared for.  With some minor maintenance and some polishing I ended up with a nicer boat for less money.

[Aquamaniac]

Thanks for the replies.....
WT: Can you comment more on the ride differences? Still gathering as much info as I can.

As mentioned in 1st post, I am torn between just getting a boat for reasonable $$ that is basically turn key.....VS... acquiring an older 70's model that would entail lots of work and $$$$$$. I have located several that fit in the first category....a couple are 80's (86, 88) 200 models. They 'sound good'......but so did one that turned out to be junk on inspection. Going to see both tomorrow.
BTW.....kudos to the thread here on inspecting a used Aquasport. Really helped me out.
The concept of buying a decent older boat and older motor.......hoping it lasts long enough to provide us some time to play with it ....maybe while finding/rebuilding a classic 70's boat.... might not make sense.  
So....if I find an 80's or 90's model ...sound deck and transom, rigged, powered and affordable.....are they decent boats to run? Any advice on what to look for or what to avoid? Any 'veteran' motors anyone favors? The motors on ones in consideration are Merc 115, Johnson 140 4S, Johnson 112 Spec, and Yamaha SWseries 115. Another option I have seen several boats with blown motors.....so thoughts on used motors that are 'good' would surely help.
May not ever find a 'steal of a deal cherry', but hope to find a sound ride at a reasonable price that we can enjoy in bay and gulf.

[wingtime]

Are the 200 models CCP or Ospreys?  They are two very different hulls.  The CCP is a Deep Vee.

[seabob4]

My opinion?  A boat you can use now for a decent amount of $$, then get her the way you want as time and $$ allow.  Reason being, you've got the wifey-poo and the kids to think about.  "Hey Mom, Dad bought a boat, when can we go fishing/tubing/snorkeling?"  "Yeah Sweetheart, when can we use her?"  Now explain to them that even though you got everything dirt cheap (kids don't care about that!), it's gonna be 2 years until you can get the hull re-built, a good motor for her, the trailer re-built...all the while, $$$ going out...but no boat to go play in.

Get yourself a turnkey, enjoy, the family will be happy, all the while keep on the lookout for that "real deal" 19-6 or 22-2.  Everyone will be happy, they have a boat they can use, and you, eventually, will have what you want...


JMO...

[Aquamaniac]

SeaBob ...you hit the nail on the head.
In terms of which model....the Osprey is what I am looking at. Mostly bay use with some Gulf (not WAY out)
Anyone with motor choice advice??????????

[seabob4]

I'd look at the 200 Osprey.  The 170/175 is fine for 2...maybe 3, but not 4.  The 200 has plenty of room and can be pushed easily and with fine performance by a 115.  If you want to reduce costs even further, the old Johnnyrude 112 Special would be perfect.  The 115 OceanRunner/OceanPro another excellent choice.  Yam 130 2S another choice.

Shop around Tampa CL.  Most guys from Sarasota, Port Charlotte, even down to Ft. Myers list on there...

[Aswaff400]

the 200 is a great boat, loved mine when she was running.. could fish skinnier water than most "flats" boats nowadays. i started to rebuild her but found a 22-2 flat back at a price i couldnt pass so ive been going to town on the flatback while the 200 remains unfinished. they preform well with just about any motor over 90 hp, i ran a 200 evinrude on a 6 inch jackplate, she was a quick little boat. i currently have my 200 for sale...

[Capt. Bob]

Deep down inside, I think the CCP is the "sexist " hull Aqua made and as stated, I was pleasantly surprised as to how shallow my 222 would run but......

I kind of like this hull too..


The only new boat I ever owned was a 170, the Swiss Army knife of Aquas but 3 extra feet would have always been nice.

Good luck.

[MarshMarlowe196]

I noticed you mentioned the Johnson 4 Stroke as an engine choice.  That's a rebadged Suzuki 4 stroke.  Great reliable fuel efficient engine, but the pre 2008 blocks had an achilles heel.  The original design of that engine included an extra O2 sensor that never made it to production engines.  So, Suzuki plugged the hole originally intended for the sensor with a threaded steel insert.  The block is aluminum, so the dissimilar metals created a vector for internal corrosion, which unchecked would migrate to the engine holder bracket.  Once it gets that far, it's a very expensive fix.  A way to mitigate this was to remove the steel plug and install an aluminum plug offered by aftermarket companies, or to weld over the hole with aluminum.  If you're eyeing an AS powered by a Johnson 4S, this is something to be aware of.

[Aquamaniac]

Wowza.....that is indeed an Achilles heel!  
In fact, the front runner is powered by a 140 Johnson four stroke. A 2004 with 1500 hrs.  Sure appreciate the heads up!!!! Think it might already be an issue???? Anyone have any more info on this??
Next in the race has an 87 Merc 115.

[seabob4]

Wowza.....that is indeed an Achilles heel!  
In fact, the front runner is powered by a 140 Johnson four stroke. A 2004 with 1500 hrs.  Sure appreciate the heads up!!!! Think it might already be an issue???? Anyone have any more info on this??
Next in the race has an 87 Merc 115.

Maniac, our dear friend Jessie (MarshMarlowe) has the Zuke 140, he's already done the swap on the plugs.  It's an excellent motor, query the owner on the issue...or PM Jess.  He had a thread on it a while back...

[MarshMarlowe196]

Actually Bob, my engine is an 08', so it was already "plugged up".

Here's some more info if you need it
http://www.keywestboatsforum.com/topic1636-15.html