New Member 1976 Aquasport 170 Questions

[MJB]

I am a new member to Classic Aquasport and have enjoyed reading the different threads on rebuilds etc and have found it very informative.  

I found a project boat -- 1976 Aquasport 170 --  perfect for my needs, I like the lines of the boat and layout, clean and simple.  She's pretty humble but like everyone else who does these rebuilds I see a diamond in the rough. I've got to do some more checking but here's what I can tell so far:
Transom needs to be replaced, needs new fuel tank, I believe these had foamed fiberglass stringers and I would suspect some water, I believe most of the under deck has been foamed in and I would guess any foam under the deck is wet. Seems to be a problem with the Aquasports from reading the threads (drains and water). The deck "appears" to be solid but it being 31 yrs old I would guess some or most of the core is wet and would need to be replaced. The hull appears to be solid, I've got to crawl under the trailer and inspect in the next day or two. Motor is frozen and I would repower anyway. Whole thing needs to be sanded and repainted. I can purchase this as is on a trailer for $800 bucks. Trailer isn't the best (needs some work on the home made bunks) but would probably fill my needs for a year or two.

I'm working on pics.

I've done a project boat before and know that they never progress the way you plan.  I am not real familiar with the Aquasport so I'm looking for some feedback from members who have done a rebuild on one of these and potential problems.  I'm looking at this as a fall/winter project boat. Any input/thoughts would be great.

[JimCt]

Welcome!

 Miguel is always on the look-out for new members for the 170 chapter of the group.  He's done work on his 170 and can provide you with nice-to know info.

There's been a few restored in the group here.  Older AS's are all practically the same as far as construction is concerned... the 170's, 19-6's & 22-2's mostly differ only in length. If the deck is sound you might want to consider breaking the project down to two phases; first the transom then the deck later.  Anyway, since you've done a restoration already you pretty much know the drill and the time envelope required.

Look forward to those pictures.

[Miguel]

Welcome aboard, Mike.  (English for Miguel , what a coincidence.....)
I have a 185 Oprey 170.  Never actually done work below the sole, so I´m not sure how the hull is structured.  I once accidentally drilled thru the floor and hit the stringer.  Foam came out......
These are great little boats.  Easy to trailer and move around.  Plenty fast with the right motor and "safe" for those little ventures far from shore.  The transom is somewhat low, so you´ll have to be aware in following seas.
If you do decide to get it.  Make sure you check or replace the under deck gas tank.  Also, I would advise on installing trim tabs. I used my boat for 8 years without them, and when I finally decided to buy them the difference was inmense.  The boat feels 2 ft bigger.
I expect to see some pics soon!!!!

[MJB]

1976 AS 170 Pics
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You can see she needs some TLC.  I think my biggest concern is under the sole with wet foam and possible stringer problems.  Transom rebuild is in the plan.  

I've seen folks with 90 or 115hp -- I like the idea of a 90 for weight etc........any thoughts??  Of course this is down the road.

Mike

[pete]

A 90 would be great on that boat.Don't give away that old outboard.You can part it out for big bucks,the lower unit alone is worth $4-500.  

[RickK]

Hi Mike and welcome aboard.
Looks like someone started the rebuild already - does she come with all the hardware, gauges, etc?
I would take this project slowly - starting with a pressure washer and some bleach.  You may find out that paint is the only thing she needs beside the motor.  Have you bounced up and down on the motor to see the transom flex? Don't know why those bolts are along the top of the transom - maybe someone had a peice of aluminum along the top? Maybe you can fill the holes if the transom is not in immediate need of repair.
Has this boat been under water?  Otherwise, just because she's 30+ years old, doesn't mean that everything is soaked inside. I wouldn't plan on tearing up the floor unless necessary.  
Take it slow and use the boat - fix it as it needs it.
My $.02

[MJB]

Rick,

Good advice on taking it slow.  I really need to get it home and see what really needs to be done.  I don't know the reason for the holes along the top of the transom, but there are a number of holes drilled in the transom to include possible swim platform step.  So I am a bit concerned the transom may be wet.  The trailer tongue is way up to allow water to drain while sitting in the lot and the fact that the motor is tilted up but with any weight the motor drops -- in other words -- I still need to check the transom for flex.  I'm probably more inclined to think it needs to be replaced since I had done a transom replacement on my other boat -- 88' MAKO 285 Dual Console -- last summer which was my other project boat.  I learned a good lesson on that one, I should have done a better inspection (drill some test holes etc) on that transom when I bought it in 99' and not relied on someone else (lesson learned).  I think you may be right, she may not be as bad as I think.  
No guages etc, I think the original owner had started to do something but lost interest a couple years ago and stopped.  Looks like he used something to start covering up holes/cracks and actually has a new rubrail that he was going to install.  Unfortunately they left the floor opened up over the fuel tank and the tank is full of water as well as the tank coffin area.  I don't think she has been under water.  
Appeciate the advice, always helps to get a second opinion.  I'll post some more pics when she gets home.

[JimCt]

An in-depth inspection will tell the tale.  If the seller is the one who started the restoration hopefully he still has the hardware.

[aqua70]

Great boat with great lines.  WE just restored an Aqua 1970. Any help or advice you need please feel free to ask.  
     From the pictures it seems like someone started to work on it and quit.
     Classic Aquasport.com  members wil give you all the advice you can ask for.  Good Luck!!!

[MJB]

Aqua70,

Good to hear from someone who has just done a restoration.  I know I'll have some questions here during the rebuild.  

Did you have to open up the deck and do any work to the stringers??  Did you have any wet foam under the deck??  Did you replace the transom??  What did you re-power with??

[bamafaninfl]

Welcome to the 170 club it is a great boat I just put a new 90 yammie on and it is all she needs.

[aqua70]

We gutted the entire boat. Cut the floor/sole out and had to reattach the stringers to the hull.Hours and hours of cutting and grinding. We had to refoam a stringer as well.  We installed  new Marine Foam between the stringers as it was originally designed.
    I believe our pictures are posted in the photo gallery of this web site.
Leave me your e mail and I will e mail them to you.  Thanks RG

[MJB]

Aqua70,

Sent you an email, any more pics would be great.  I did find yours in the gallery.  When you replaced the sole, did you fiberglass the underside of the sole??  How is the sole secured to the stringers??  From the pics hard to tell about the transom.  Did you replace the transom??  If so, did you do the work from the outside leaving the inside glass in place??

OK, guys, I've read alot of various threads with good info for the rebuild.  I think I'll have to start a thread on the rebuild forum.

Update for now is she's home, cleaned up, motor is off.  Still need to get the tank out.  She'll need a new transom for sure.  I'll post up some more pics.

[JimCt]

Congrats. on getting her home!  Now the fun begins...

[jdupree]

MJB,

Welcome :!:    Judging by your 1st picture, that boat was sitting on highway 70 at Morehead City   I fish down there alot and figured that is where it was sitting.

Anyway, I used to have a 1988 170 and loved it.  I just wanted something a little bigger to fish with so I stepped up to a 20' CCP.

I never did a re-build with the 170, but learned alot about them in other areas.  If I can ever help with a non-rebuilding question just let me know.