Late 90's to Mid 2000's Aquasports Advice

[Curious]

Guys,
I am the proud owner of a 1978 22' Aquasport Family Fisherman.  It is a cool boat and I've had a lot of fun getting it to where it is now.  Basically- new transom, new fuel tank, trim tabs, wiring, etc.  But my boating outlook has changed and I want to upgrade to something newer, safer and more reliable.  I want to stay between 23'-25' so I can still trailer it and it has to be relatively fuel efficient.  I've been leaning towards pilothouse boats such as Maycraft and Steigercraft but they are a little out of my price range and there aren't a lot on the used market.  So when I started looking back towards walkaround boats I was surprised to find a few late 90's to mid 2000's Aquasport Explorers on the used market, some of them in my area (northeast) and definitely in my price range.  Here is one example:  http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2002/Aq ... Cv-r-ceV8Y.

My questions for you guys:  Overall quality and what to expect to find for issues in used Aquas in this age range?  Fuel Efficiency?  Ride Quality? Reliability?  Safety?

In the example above, I would use the HPDI for a couple of seasons and then probably upgrade to a Yamaha 4 stroke.  Or I would look for a boat a little higher priced with a 4 stroke already.  I want to be able to fish inshore, go offshore up to 30 miles or so, cruise over to Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, maybe even the Elizabeth Islands or Block Island.  I want to be able to cruise efficiently at around 25 miles per hour but have no problem slowing down a little if it gets snotty.  If I could find a boat priced in the mid teens to low twenties that would be great, otherwise I would wait a couple of years and consider something higher priced but under $40K.

Let me know what you think,
Dan

[wingtime]

The 225/245/250 Explorers are solid boats.  I'd look for a late 90's to early 00's.  $17K is a tad high for that 02 with that many hours on the motor (well at least for Florida market).  Look for a hardtop that way you can put enclosures on it and keep you out of the nasty weather.  Don't rule out a DFI two stroke.  They are simpler and as fuel efficient or even better than a four stroke.

Having had a 200XF I can tell you the 245 Explorer rides MUCH better than your family fisherman.  In fact it rides and behaves like a much longer boat.  The transoms are poured composite and the decks are end grain balsa.  Since the factory did not mount anything to the deck rotten cores should not be a problem unless a PO did something stupid.  

There are some common wiring problems due to corrosion in wiring connectors but that is easy to fix.

[Curious]

Wing,
Thanks for all that.  Will definitely go with the hardtop/curtains to get an extended season.  To be honest my FF is the modified V and rides pretty bad.  The tabs help tremendously as does slowing down.  How slow can you go in an Explorer and still stay on plane?

[RickK]

Anything under 20 and I'm coming off plane in mine.

[wingtime]

how slow I can stay on a plane depends on my load.  I can cheat by using the tabs to help lift the stern and keep her up on plane...  but...  I don't to that that often..  since it takes some power to hold it there.  I usually drive my boat using my flowscan fuel flow meter...  it helps me find the sweet spots where the hull and motor are happy.

[Curious]

As long as you can slow down a little, tab down a little and not pound in a chop, I'm good.  Some of the modified v boats such as Maritime Skiff can stay on plane at 12 mph which is great but you sacrifice some on ride quality.  That's ok though, especially because you gain a lot in fuel efficiency.  I guess it's all about compromise.

[RickK]

Hi Dan,
The Explorer model is a lot more bow heavy than the FF was. This will give you a lot more wieght to use to your advantage cutting through some of the chop. Still, in the right quartering chop condition with the right wind, it can get wet.
Speed is your friend still - any boat can be wet in the right combinations of conditions 'cept maybe a submarine  

[Curious]

Thanks Rick,
Just gotta figure out how to outrun the spray!

[RickK]

A helm wrap will help, or maybe the full wrap I have for the worst case days.

[wingtime]

The only time I get wet in my Explorer is in a strong quartering headwind. In normal nice weather you stay nice and dry.  However I don't think I have ever been in a boat that I didn't get wet in a quartering headwind.

[Curious]

Well guys, long story short I found a 23 Maycraft pilothouse in my area and it was too good a deal to pass up.  It's a 2009 hull with a low hour Yamaha 200 4stroke.  I'll be posting my Aquasport for sale soon if anyone is interested.  Thanks again for all the advice!
Dan