Stop Lurking and Start Posting!! Introduce Yourself Here!

[pete]

welcome sir

[RickK]

Welcome aboard Sean  :!:  :!:
The 196 family continues to grow  8)

[fitz73222]

Hi Sean,

How does the Merc run? Those are an interesting design. They only run on the two top cylinders at idle. Mercurys attempt at cylinder deactivation. It actually worked pretty well and they get comparable fuel economy to a four stroke at trolling speeds. They are not without some quirkeyness to get set up. So if you need some advice just holler.

[jeminfla]

Allow me to introduce myself and my "girl".
I live in Daytona Beach, Florida, and have the good fortune to live on the Intracoastal where "Playin Hooky" can be dropped into the water and I can be clearing the inlet 30 minutes later.
"She" is a 1999 245 Explorer. I purchased her as the second owner in February of 2003. I had looked at almost every brand and model before stepping onto the deck of this boat. The moment I did, I fell in love. I've never seen another boat in this length that can easily dive or fish four people simultaneously off the back deck. I've done extensive modifications to her over the years and still find little ways to tweak her for more storage or functionality. We have two pretty good surplus marine stores here in town, and almost everything I've installed has come from these establishments. My latest is installing cubbies with shelves in the gunwales on each side. Found them in a pile of blem parts for $15 apiece, and I took them apart and reconstructed them to create some space to stow gloves, masks, tackle or anything that I don't want flopping around on the deck.
In 2005 I said "bon voyage" the the original Johnson 225 and repowered her with a 250 hp Suzuki 4-stroke. I had been planning on changing for a while, and after looking at all the options on the market, started leaning towards the Suzuki. After a trip to the backwaters of Costa Rica, where almost every boat was powered by the Suzuki 4-stroke, I was sold. I've never regretted the decision! 3 mpg at 35 mph is not bad for a 6000-lb. boat!
I was excited to stumble upon this forum, and I'm looking forward to sharing war stories with the rest of the group.

[WhazzupII]

Welcome aboard! You are not very far from me. Starting in April, I will have my Osprey in the water at Oak Hill, and the camper there also. Will be shooting out a lot from Ponce Inlet. Great first post by the way.........sounds like you have stayed busy tweaking your baby!

[slvrlng]

Welcome aboard and we are glad you found us too!
Our member seabob4 probably built your boat so I am sure he will join in with me and say---

[TheKid]

Hello my name is Ethan

I am an Aquaholic.

Seriously, I've owned many lake boats and recently switched to salt.I just finished a 69 Glasspar project and realized it to small for any swell here on the left coast so I picked up a new girl.

She's a 79 222 Family Fisherman. I bought her for the fiberglass construction and self bailing hull.  She's powered by a 1996 Tohatsu 140hp. That should work for now. Hoping to restore my bank account and repower soon.

She us dirty and neglected even a little cheesey if you know what I mean. I can't wait to get her ready for open season.

I know most of my questions are probably already answered here and those that are not are just a post away.

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to joining your little family here a ASClassics.

[swils05]

Thanks
Whats the easiest method to attach pics? Using that photo bucket site?

[seabob4]

Ethan,

A BIG welcome aboard!  Although your AS was before my time, there are plenty here that can answer whatever you ask, and I can answer the mechanical/electrical stuff.

Enjoy her, and post pics.  Use Photobucket, it's the best way...'cause sooner than later, someone is going to come along and say...

[mkguyvr]

Hi everyone, my name is Guy, I purchased my 2cnd Aqua Sport back in October. My first one was an older 19 foot boat back when I was still in my teens. I loved the boat and have always wanted another one, just a little bigger. My last couple of boats have been jet boats due to having small children and also having a small tow vehicle due to the economical belt tightening that everyone had to do a few years back. I have always bought my boats as basket cases and turned them into runners, this new to me Aqua is no exception.
    Back in October I had been looking around for another project and stumbled on a handful of boats with different needs and the Aqua was fortunately had the best condition hull. A little bargaining and a sight unseen (other than some pictures) offer was made and hesitantly accepted.
    The boat is an 83, 246 with a 96 250 Merc on her. Nice 2003 aluminum trailer, out riggers, down rigger, chart plotter (Miami/Keys chip going to need one for my area)/gps offshore radio,trim tabs, fully rewired, new deck a couple years ago, newer batteries, leaning post, salt water wash down, and a forward in floor fish box.
    The bad: Engine was a question mark, engine cranked, tilted, just no spark, fuel was varnished, t-top had no canvas,couple cracks here and there in the gel coat, floor coating was done poorly, some cracks in the floor here and there that need attention, floor hatch has a few issues needing addressed. All in all a very good deal for what was paid.
   So far I have found a burnt almost in half 4 gauge battery cable under the deck and replaced it, that is what burned up the starter (which was making an awful noise and turning way to slow to be any help) replace the starter, found compression reading between 90 and 60 on the engine. So I tore her down and started the rebuild.
     Took the power head down to the block and brought them up to American Cylinder in Vero, Ron is a great guy and their work is second to none in our area. Had them bore it over to .30, check the crank tank the block and hone it in for the new pistons. All while this has been going on i ordered all of my parts from Tri state Marine in Illinois from Lee, another good guy but a little slow on delivering parts, its been 5 weeks and I am still waiting on a few items that I could get almost anywhere. I also have repainted the whole engine cowl, mid, trim, everything with a base clear /black. Engine was white and faded pretty bad. I also sent the injectors to Brucato in N.C. for calibration and cleaning. The t-top I had a new canvas put on that and also added a crows nest since the t-top had an access hoop on the front. I had the canvas guy add a zipper to make an access hatch to climb up there. This will be great for spotting bait and shallows.
    I am just waiting on the speedy sleeve for the crank and 2 motor mounts so I can get this thing back on the water, I ordered: new stator, pistons, all bearings,rod bolts full gasket kit, new motor mounts,new mount bolts/nuts/ trim sender, water pump kit, thermostats, tiller arm mount, basically anything that needed to be replaced is getting replaced. I dont like weak links.
   I dont have a name for her yet but I am working on one. I will try to add some pic in a few minutes, have to get the hang of this forum yet.    



http://s1181.photobucket.com/albums/x428/mkguyvr/    

hope this is the prefered way, i couldnt get the upload to work on this forum.

[seabob4]

So, ummm, is that all you've done?  Damn, where is that "Just Kidding" smiley when I need it...

Welcome aboard, sounds like a lot of fun, in a warped sense of the manner. Use Photobucket for posting pics, works like a charm anywhere I go...

[pete]

welcome new guys!looking forward to some pics!

[Capt. Bob]

Thanks
Whats the easiest method to attach pics? Using that photo bucket site?

Click on this link.

Read carefully, and follow the link in the post. It explains Photo Bucket. If you are still having problems, follow the instructions listed below the link in that post.
Easy????

viewtopic.php?p=45667#p45667

[mkguyvr]

Pic link   http://s1181.photobucket.com/albums/x428/mkguyvr/

[TheKid]

Like this



Only one I have now.

More to come I'm sure