Aquasport, the first ten years – an initial history

[steved]

What follows is a first pass at the history of Aquasport boats over the first ten years of production. It probably leaves more questions open than it answers, but this is what I can document so far.  It’s a start in any case. Anyone who can put in additional pieces of the puzzle, please help us out! I am particularly interested in obtaining information about original prices (I have a few and will post them soon) and numbers of units produced for each model/ year.  And of course, we still have the period from 1976 through 1989 to cover. I think the best way to proceed is probably for me to ask Captain to also post the working history as a downloadable file, which I will update periodically. We will put a note in the blog when a new version is available.

Working History part One

In 1964, Fred Coburn and Lennox Sargent, a naval architect, form C & S and produce the first Aquasports, a 22’2” open, modified-vee hull, center console, outboard-powered fishing boat. The boat is an immediate success. Shortly afterwards (date unknown), Coburn buys out Sargent.

In 1967, the company changes it’s name to Aquasport, Inc.

In 1968, a 19’6” smaller sister to the 22-2 is brought out.

In 1969, Coburn sells Aquasport (still looking for the name of the new owners).

In 1970, Walt Walters (identified by Boating as “well-known for his offshore racing boats” (if anyone has any leads on that let me know) is commissioned to design a 17-footer for Aquasport.

In 1971, Walters designs a 24-foot model, an open like the other three, and also outboard-powered. All of the models are still with modified-vee hulls.

In 1973, Aquasport also offers the 19-, 22- and 24 –foot models with inboard/outboard power.

In 1974, the 22- and 24-footers are also offerd with inboard engines.

In 1975, the 22-2 is re-issued in a new version with a Walters design, still with a modified-vee. All of the boats are called “Open Fisherman”.

NOTE: at about this time, Aquasport also starts bringing out models with enclosed space or berths and even separate heads. I do not yet have precise information about the year in which each length “Family Fisherman” (erroneously called Cuddly Cabins) was first produced.

In early 1976, the 19’6” open is re-issued with a Walters design, so at this point all of the models are his. The 19’6” and the 22-2 are also out as Family Fishermen, the 19-footer with either an outboard or an inboard/outboard, and the 22-2 with an inboard/ outboard. As of March 1976, there are 15 different Aquaqsport models available (and 4 models are re-issues, so there have been 19 produced all-together to this point).

Current Aquasport models as of March 1976:
170 Open Fisherman, OB
19-6 Open, OB
19-6 Open, I/O
22-2 Open, OB
22-2 Open, I/O
22-2 Open, IB
240 Open, OB
240 Open, I/O
240 Open IB
19-6 Family Fisherman, OB
19-6 Family Fisherman, I/O
22-2 Family Fisherman, I/O
22-2 Family Fisherman, IB
240 Family Fisherman, I/O
240 Family Fisherman, IB

[scott_gunn]

I guess Walter's redesigns dropped the flatback and changed to the 12 degree deadrise at the transom?  Does that seem right?

[DEFIANT]

Great information Steved! I am sure alot of time and research went into this History report!

I never knew my 1983 222 CCP was built during the second year of production for this model.

Thank you!

[Seadog]

Great work Steved!

I can tell we elected the right guy to lead this project.

Keep it comin'...

[captflatback]

Great job Steve

[Anonymous]

great work steve,I don't known how you did it also thanks for the technical stats in the other section,I was able to get all the info on my 17 ' about capacity and hp ratings.
thanks mike

[JimCt]

Excellent job!

A big boost for this project would be if we can find some of the folks who worked for C&S / Aquasport back then.  I know we've talked about this before but I'd be willing to kick in a few bucks to take out an ad in one of the local papers down there to see who we can turn up.  Worth a try?

[steved]

JimCT,

It would be good to talk with former Aquasport employees. There are a number of problems with this, however. First, we are talking about 35 years ago, and natural selection may have taken its course. Second, if we are looking for information about the company and its product lines, we will need to talk to former manager types, which limits things even further.  It's a good idea in any case and if you want to try the ad, go for it.  I might try a search of the internet white pages for various Florida locations on the odd chance that one of the names pops up. Unfortunately, they are pretty common names.  I will also try contacting Aquasport to see if they can give me a couple of names of long-time or recently retired employees who might give us some leads.

[Kaczki]

Hi!  This is my fist post on the website, I just joined today.  Wasn't the 19-6 originally the 19-1? I have a 1971 19-1 that I am going to rebuild and I was wondering where it fits into the picture.    Thanks.

[steved]

You are correct that a 19-1 was produced in 1971 (according to NADA) and I am not sure how it fits into the overall picture. Will update as I can.

Steve

[g-man]

I don't recall ever seeing a modified v hull Aquasport prior to 1973.

[Anonymous]

Hello, I just found this website. I have owned a 17 foot Aquasport for over twenty years. It is registered as a 1971, the only number I see is c298. I would call it a modified V. It is a great boat that will go anywhere. Can anyone give me more info?  Do I have something that is like an old corvette?   Thanks, Pat Green

[JimCt]

Welcome Aboard, Pat :!:  :!:  :!:  

Always great to have an experienced long-time Aquasport hand in the mix.   As you have been reading the AS history steved's pieced together, you've seen that we're a dedicated group here.  One request you'll get sooner or later will be to post some pictures of your 170.  Experiences in working/maintaining the boat are also sought after.

Jim

[RickK]

Welcome aboard Pat.

Do I have something that is like an old corvette?

I think you do.  

[GoneFission]

Just found out that Aquasports were actually produced in the 50s!  Sargeant and Coburn built center consoles from plywood and showed them at the 1958 New York Boat Show.  The boats were based on the oringial Scopinich center console design (Scop Cruiser) and the first Aquasport prototype was built by Fred Scopinich at the Freeport Point Shipyard.  The original Aquasports were all wood, powered by outboards, and produced on an order basis.

The first fiberglass Aquasports began production in 1965/66, and began the real Aquasport legacy.  But...  I wonder if there are any of the original wood models anywhere?  That would be pretty cool!