A little help please.

[Capt. Bob]

OK group.
I been looking at that 1999 215 Explorer Rick linked to on Ebay.
What does anyone know about these Genmar (it is a Genmar right?) hulls and the Explorer in general. The guy selling states it weights in at 4200 lbs. That can't be right, or is it?
Would this be more of an Osprey type hull rather than a CCP or is it something all together different.
I've always wanted a small cabin type boat for a little extra storage and a place to hide when it rains. I'd also like to spend a weekend on the water "camping".
Maybe I'm crazy but even with fuel cost I just don't see me giving up boating , at least not for several more years.

I've had two AS's already so I'd probably go for a trifecta.

Any advice, help, flames ect. is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[RickK]

Well, where do I start?
Everything about this boat is different than mine and mine is a Genmar also.  Could be that it is 1.5ft shorter but I don't think so. Like they "married" a Wellcraft design with a AS.
The liner/cap is totally different,
The transom is less open - making it harder to get back in the boat than mine.
The cabin layout is different - bunks being narrower (hope the filler insert is still with the boat) and the porta-potty is under the helm area and slides out (that's nice).  The "bubble" look of the top of the cabin looks like they gave you a little more head room (again, nice - but no seat up front).
The deck in the aft has a couple fish wells in it where mine had one DEEP one.  The engine well is able to be closed off - mine didn't have this although I have seen some in the same year as mine that did.  The CCPs had this. One similiarity is that they put baitwells under the helm seats although they don't look to be utilizing the whole thing like they do on mine.  It has good space in the back like mine but shorter.
The hull looks to be different but not much - has an extra chine up the side.
Should be a good boat - may seem more cramped than your current "wide open" 222 boat though.

[Bahi]

I was just going to buy her, but OK I'll leave her for you Capt Bob under the condition that you find me another one later! :)

[Capt. Bob]

Rick,
The main regret with my current ride is the area behind the seats. With the full bracket I have, you can re-enter the boat, throw your dive gear in the space where the batteries and live well were and step through to the main deck but.....
The space between the seats and transom "door" is small and my son and I don't 'share" as well as we should :( . When we have guests aboard, traffic management is, well can you say gridlock?

 I do have a large Bimini top with drop curtains on three sides for minimal rain protection, but that space is limited also.
My buddy says that the "cabin space" is wasted (though I rarely fish off the front of the boat) and of course there's "the look", but without a t-top or tower, my girl is no "sex symbol".

Is there storage (or could I create storage) under the cushions in the cabin?
Also, I really like the idea of the "open space" in the back.
Just dreamin' I guess, besides the ROM 3 is paid for

She's all yours Bahi

[GoneFission]

Bob:  

Yesterday - I was sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the tide go away.  I thought about your situation, and right now I see a 246 WAC in your future  (I do have ESPN).  I think you would find the 215 smallish - it is based on the 20 footer, and is smaller than your 222.  The 246 XF has a usable cabin (some with stove, icebox, and potty) with stowage and a nice V-berth.  If you don't fish off the bow, you don't give much up with an XF.  It weighs about 700 lbs more than a 222CCP, but seems to do OK with a 200 outboard and tows well.  Obviously, power from a 250 or 300 would be better, and twin 130s are ideal.  

Here was one that went off recently on eBay that looked good (contact the seller and see if the deal went through?):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0254247951

246XF models pop up pretty often on eBay and Craigs, so keep your eyes open!    

Here's a 222XF on eBay now that looks pretty good (I wonder if the cat is included):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/22-AQUAS ... 236851116&  

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!   8)

[Bahi]

Wow, Capt John!!! Pls tell me what do you see for me, pleaaaaaase...

[RickK]

Bob:  Yesterday - I was sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the tide go away.  

Isn't that a song?  IT IS A SONG - what do ya know.


Buy a 230 EXP :!:  :!:
You can see there is a dive tank track behind the seats.  I removed it but still have it.

And then put something like this on it


And you could have some fun too - it was in the 40s with 25+ winds that day - we were on the leeward side of this island. As you see, my wife was in shorts with the cover we have.  In this pic - half screen and half vinyl. Definitely worth the bucks for both.


Oh I forgot, there is storage under the bunks in the cabin.,

[Capt. Bob]

Thanks guys.
I realize the 215 is smaller, and with the way things are, that may be the way I need to go. I like that 222EF. I could use a bunch of stuff from my CCP on that craft but... it's only two years newer than mine.

Rick, that's just what I want, an Aqua RV. You can sleep above or below deck.
I'm not sure which way to go yet but I'll keep looking for that special "deal".

On another note, I saw what appears to be a 70 something AS cuddy type/side console(?) for sale about ten miles from my home. Since I'm currently unemployed, I thought I'd ride by and get the skinny on this classic. Might be a "find" for someone on the Forum.
Film at 11

Thanks again.

[Irish Rover]

Hello Capt. Bob,

I have a 1999 245 Explorer and I love it.  We do the RV camping also up in Toms River, NJ.

Info on boat, they didn't officially come out with the 215 explorer until 2000.

The way to get the info on the boat is to Google   Aquasport boats click on the link, 2. Click on the far right button that says OWNERS AREA,  3. Click on PRODUCT INFORMATION GUIDES, 4. When this comes up click your year and model.  5.  put your mouse over the description page and you will see a box in the lower right coner appear when it does click on it to make the page readable.  Your boat is like 3200 lbs. I believe.

I made the bimini top for the length of my boat like Rick did and the wife and I go and spend weekends on the water do the cook out, raft ups and the whole bit.  GREAT TIMES

Good luck

Judd Hogan

[RickK]

IR - so you did the full bimini.  Good for you.  I know you like it.  8)

I've been out on the 230 for the last 3 days camping and except for some pretty scary weather (thunderstorms) last night, it was bliss.

Oh yeah, and then my pooch puked in my truck coming home  :cry: - I guess she's still not quite got the long term boating thing down yet.  She's good for about 2 days on the boat and then it takes her a while to settle her stomach down - maybe the truck is up and down motion and the boat is more side-to-side over time.  Who knows.

[Irish Rover]

I love the new bimini.  Having the front plastic is the way to go.  

Happy boating

Judd

[Capt. Bob]

I resurrected this thread in hopes that SeaBob will drop by. I may have to go over to the Pro Line group to find him.
Anyway...
Found another 215 Explorer, circa 2000.
The question is about construction and can I use a full transom bracket (alum.) on this craft?
Strengths and weaknesses other than the overall size. I'd love to have a 225 Ex. but in the long run (I want to boat at least a few more years) repowering has to come into play and the 215 could be pushed with a smaller motor than a 200hp.

Thanks in advance.

[seabob4]

Capt. Bob,
I have dropped by.  Got your PM, check your inbox.  

How the hell is everyone?

Bob C

[GoneFission]

CB:  I know I may catch some heat for this, but I'm not a big fan of the Wellcraft/Aquasport 215.  Same boat, different names.  It's just not the rugged, tough boat the earlier XFs were.  

Look around a bit for a 80s vintage 246/250XF or 222XF.  You can push them just fine with a 200/225 and they perform very well with a 250. You see some 22 footers with 150s or 175s, but I would go for at least 200.  These boats are often in nice, well-maintained shape, and usually go cheap due to their age.  Of course, we know Classic Aquasports age like fine wine!  

Here are some ideas;
Here's a nice 246 in Flawda with a 250 EFI Merc - asking $15,995:  
http://www.usedboatyard.com/usedboat/19 ... 51994.html

A 222XF in Michigan (fresh water boat) with a 175 OMC for $5995:
 http://boats.iboats.com/aquasport/422205.html

A 222XF in Flawda for $9995:
http://boats.iboats.com/aquasport/391359.html

Got $2995?  Here's a 250XF with twin Merc 115s in New Jersey: http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1986/Aq ... ted-States

I think the 20 foot XF is a little small, but here's one on eBay going for under $700:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Aquaspor ... 240%3A1318

Hope this helps - see what comes up!

[Capt. Bob]

Thanks CJ.
I talked on several occasions with both the mechanic and dock master about the the Michigan boat. I bent the numbers and I almost pulled the trigger but it's a good distance from Tally. That's really the only reason I didn't get that one.

The wife (I know, I know) wants a newer hull, one I don't have to spend the time on (she was very understanding about the CCP) and my son wants to keep what we got.

I want a little dryer area for the stuff and a place to hide in a summer squall. I have canvas on the ROM 3 but its not the same. I'd like to re-power the old gal but the cost is outrageous.

Lastly, I realize the "Aqua-Craft" isn't a Hialeah hull and much of what made these so great growing up in Miami is lost but at least I got a chance to experience it.

PS..... there was a 86 222 EF in (of all places) Cape Coral that I missed out on that went for $2900. That was the "deal" I was looking for but couldn't get down there fast enough. I'll keep looking.