Balsa core?

[farnz1611]

Hi everyone,
     I am new to the site and in the process of upgrading to a larger boat.  At the this time I have a 1976 23 mako that I have redone over the past few years.  I have been thinking about selling the mako and upgrading to a Aquasport 290 tournament master.  I have always liked the look and setup of the 290 but have herd that it may have a balsa core in the hull.   I am wondering if anyone knows if there is wood coring in these boats below the water line or in the stringers.  Any help would be greatly appreciated as i start my journey to find a new boat.

[RickK]

Hi farnz and welcome aboard.
Aquasport never used wood in the stringers, they were always solid glass trapezoid filled with foam. The deck will probably be glass encapsulated end grain balsa. You should also find plywood on the undersides of the walkways around the cabin. The underside of the cap around the cockpit might have encapsulated wood in it too.Usually there is no wood where water might be. Look around in the forum you're currently in and see what you find.

[farnz1611]

Awesome!!! Thank you for your response.  I read through most of the posts and couldn't find anything about wood in the hull but wanted to check.  Seems like a great boat for the price.  I was just trying to figure out why a big good looking boat would be priced so low.  I have found a few good looking ones with newer engines for under 10 k.

[RickK]

I would venture to guess the transom in them is wood too. $10k is reasonable - I see some on ebay at 40k+

[mshugg]

There’s a 286 listed on Orlando Craigslist for 5k.  If you were interested in a project, it could be awesome with a bracket anc twin 300s.

[farnz1611]

Trying to stay away from a big project, but thanks for the heads up tho.  Any one have experience with the exhausts that come out on the side of the boat?  I have never seen it done like that.  Any thing to worry about? Pros? Cons?

[Capt. Bob]

Any one have experience with the exhausts that come out on the side of the boat?  I have never seen it done like that.  Any thing to worry about? Pros? Cons?

https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=1248.msg7439#msg7439

https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=6264.msg43553#msg43553

https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=11834.msg118312#msg118312

[wingtime]

I'm not sure if there is any kind of a core material in the transom of the big Inboard aquas. 

[wingtime]

Oh and about the Price.  I think it is just market driven.  Big outboard powered boats are the trend these days compared to the 80's when anything over 25' for offshore was an inboard boat.  They just didn't have anything bigger than 200HP around back then.  Also those boats are not something that you would trailer.

[farnz1611]

Awesome! Thanks again for all of the replies. I am going to look at one on Sunday. Anything I should look for specifically? Supposedly the boat was redone in 2012 and then it was hauled and sat since then. I Dont have any other info on it or pictures.

[GoneFission]

The side exhausts are fairly common on sportfish boats, as they allow you to back down on a fish without pushing water up the exhausts.  This is a nice feature of the big Aquasports - also less exhaust smell/fumes when running. 

What to look for?  The hull is solid - no worries there - but  decks are wood cored, so check for soft spots.  Check the stringers for delamination from the hull and give the engines the typical once-over.  Most were SBC with closed cooling systems - 260/270 HP - check for maintenance and pay attention for vibration during sea trials.  Look for leaking stuffing blocks and check that the steering moves freely from one stop to the other.  If the water is warm enough,  put on a mask and look under the boat at the condition of the struts, rudders, and props.  Check for corrosion on wiring and look for rust on the exhaust risers.  Few of these had generators, so batteries are big.  Expect to be buying a couple new 4Ds. 

Some of these boats go cheap!  Almost like a giveaway - especially with old electronics.  But the bones are good and you will probably want to upgrade electronics anyway.  These can be jewels in disguise or money pits.  Don't be afraid to run her hard when doing sea trials - temps should hold below 160 when at speed.  Temps going up over 180 at speed indicate a heat exchanger blockage or a need for new raw water pumps. 

Good luck!     

[farnz1611]

Well I bought it!!!!   I am now the proud owner of a 1986 290 xf with a hardtop, swim platform, tuna door, and teak back deck. Needs to be cleaned up but should turn out to be a nice boat.  It has twin volvo 260's , but I have been told they are essentially  chevy 350 blocks.  I am very excited to start working on her and get her up and running.  A huge thank you to everyone who responded to my post and added the much needed info for me.

[RickK]

Congrats!! 

[farnz1611]

LOL I knew that was coming.  The  boat is still covered in shrink wrap.  Ill be taking it off this weekend, and will post some pictures.  I'm sure Ill have a few more questions as well.  But for now I'm just excited to have a "new to me" boat.

[RickK]

When you're ready, start a new thread in the 290 rebuilds forum and show us how she looks. https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?board=16.0

Use this approach to post pics http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=12725.0  - don't attach them, this is better for viewing.