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[Early8]

I believe you are correct, the access ports were installed to install the hardware beneath the deck for the railing.  I think they were also helpful for wiring and the new steering gear.

I will hunt around for some more pics.  I went deep in my digital files to find the ones that I posted.  Unfortunately I am stateside now and will not likely get back to the boat until next summer so will have to rely on what I can find.  The panel you reference for the face of the "casting Platform" locker on our boat appears to be molded.  I am operating off of my memory when I say this.  I think it is a one sided molded panel of mostly, if not all, fiberglass.  I don't think the inside was gel coated.  I wonder if a starboard panel would work?  I might add, that I don't see a lot of value in the fact that it is removable.  I think top access alone with two drains would be fine unless you are looking for historical accuracy.

I like the rod storage as well;  it would be great for paddles or oars, which we have to carry in Canada.  Ever tried to paddle one of these little beasts?  Its almost impossible.  We have no storage on the gunwales; those "pure" sides are truly pure for the length of the hull.  Again I will look for a some pics, but I am not sure I will be successful until I get back to the boat.

The original "steel" tank failed very early in my lifetime; in fact it was PITA because everyone would try to use it and it would never hold pressure and it always had water in it.  The older three cylinder engines would serve us quite well with a couple of five gallons auxiliary tanks.  We forgot about the console tank for many years.  With the new console (~10 Years old) we have a plastic tank which is about fifteen gallons.  The new tank is below the seat which is on the forward side of the console.  The console has doors on both sides for storage and access to the steering and electrics in the console.  I am guessing they are about 8"x16"

You need more pics, but everything I think I will find is about people rather than the boat.   I will look, but I am not optimistic until next season.  I can't imagine our boat is that unique though....

[Early8]

I am not doing well by your request, however, I am sharing what I can with these people pics.  The boy in the red PFD is standing on the seat above the new fuel tank.  You can also see the console doors; there is a matching door on the other side.  You can also see the "pure" gunwales.



Never mind the two fellas, you can see the the "pure" gunwales and access ports here.

[RickK]

You're doing fine.  I can see what I needed to.
I agree that the rear panel of the storage up front is kinda useless.  I might make a fiberglass one like the one you have, just so i don't have to worry about the bowing of the wood panel.
I haven't seen another 170 with exactly the type of liner I have and yours is the closest - they just didn't cut in the rod storage inserts.  They are not that special and wouldn't hold an oar anyway.  They had two rod holders in the insert (you can see in the pic above) they were ok but didn't hold the rod very well - first bump and the rods would fall out, at least on one end.  During my rebuild I am putting in a different rod holding system in each.
So you guys changed out the console and helm seat over the years - hey, nothing wrong with that, it's called owning and customizing your boat.  The hull looks in great shape.  Is the transom still original?
The tank you see in the pic above is aluminum and I still have it - not sure if it was original, especially if you say yours was steel.
Thanks for posting the pics and glad you're here.
I have a mold for the 170 "cast" emblems for the sides - if you want to change yours out we can make that happen.

[Capt. Bob]

I have a mold for the 170 "cast" emblems for the sides - if you want to change yours out we can make that happen.

Here's another route if you want to go "ready made":
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquasport170-Boat-Emblems-PAIR-/221024104815?hash=item337610316f

Either way,
Good luck.

[Early8]

I definitely recall seeing the rod holders in most all of the Aquasports and Makos of that era.  I don't know if there was a option to add or delete them.  As you mention the reality of the way they work, I can imagine you would need a better way to secure the rods.

I don't know the details of the work that was done to the boat, my father commissioned it.  There were definitely cracks in the transom on the interior face about an inch from the top edge if my memory serves me correctly.  The boat never had anything larger than a three cylinder 70 on it until the last repower that went along with the refurb.  So yes there definitely was work done on the transom, but I don't know how extensive it was.  It could have just been cosmetic.

As you mention the tank being aluminum, that sounds accurate in our case as well.  The original console was replaced not out of a desire to customize it so much as because I imagine it was easier than refurbishing it.  I recall that the "drivers seat" was a very heavy yet simple fiberglass box with wood skids on it.  It would travel around the deck when it got rough out.  Once I recall the lid flying off when I was blasting over some big waves;  it was also molded fiberglass and heavy.  I think it sank?  We still have the bottom portion of the box tucked away in the house.  Its the original color too.  I think most of the time I left the box behind in an effort to keep the boat light.  That is another reason why I was happy to get rid of the big tank.  The boat was just so much more responsive and fast when kept light.  It was great to take everything out of it for a wash down and then take a quick "drain run" with nothing in it but one half full five gallon fuel tank.  Taking a trip down memory lane.....  Love it!

The hull is in good shape now yes,  the bottom needed a little love with the last refurb.  We frequent beaches which are a coarse sand with some rocks here and there which dinged her up over the years.  We did get a leak that was difficult to sort out a long time ago... but all is good now except that darned pump...  I often wondered if the leak was from the deck or below the waterline, it may have been both.

[Early8]

Oh, and by the way.  The original center console did not have a molded front passenger seat.  The seat was a cushioned board with square aluminum stock at about a forty five degree angle supporting it on the front of the console.

I was just looking at the 1970 documents here: 
http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2707&title=as-170-article6-june&cat=549

The information and photos in this document look like what we have.  The console was the same.  The seating was the same.  The only thing that is different about ours is that we did not have the rod holders and storage recess where they are located.

[RickK]

I have a mold for the 170 "cast" emblems for the sides - if you want to change yours out we can make that happen.

Here's another route if you want to go "ready made":
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquasport170-Boat-Emblems-PAIR-/221024104815?hash=item337610316f

Either way,
Good luck.

But doesn't have the Hialeah part of the mold.

[RickK]

So where is the bilge pump, in the trough at the rear or did they cut an access plate and put it below deck?

[Early8]

Its in the trough just so I can see it

[Early8]

I have a mold for the 170 "cast" emblems for the sides - if you want to change yours out we can make that happen.

Here's another route if you want to go "ready made":
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aquasport170-Boat-Emblems-PAIR-/221024104815?hash=item337610316f

Either way,
Good luck.

Thanks for the idea Captain Bob.  I will keep that in mind for the next time she gets awl gripped.  All this looking around the web site has me wondering if ours said "...170" on it or  "...Custom" ?

[RickK]

They made a 170 Custom but I have never seen a "Custom" emblem.

[JonnyB]

WOW at the information you have here. I'm a new one to your neighborhood so may take a while to get familiar. I'm new to the Aquasport boat due to I just bought a 1984 CC Osprey and it will be needing a little work but nothing stopping it from being fished from. Glad to be here.

[RickK]

  JB.
We have enough info here to keep someone busy for a couple years.

[neal]

Hello Everyone:

I am the proud owner of a tournament cat 16.1. Granted like all things in life these boats have some quirks but it does exactly what I want, especially easy for 1 guy to launch and retrieve by myself and very stable. I do have a couple questions that I hope I can find similar owners since I'm second owner for several years and its time to show her a little love.

Se ya around,
neal

[Ant..]

  Everyone..

This seems like a great site... Just stumbled across it today..
I just redid a 1976, 196 Aquasport CC.

I am trying to find some pics, I will post them soon...

Thanks,

 Ant..