Ex-Aquasport/Wellcraft employee (Bob C)...

[seabob4]

Rick,
Sorry to take so long to get back to your post about wiring.  Aquasport did not use a numbering system with respect to individual circuits.  However, they did use the proper color practices for the various functions of each circuit, i.e. brown w/various stripes for pumps, blue w/various stripes for lighting, gray for nav lights, etc.

One must remember that a ground is a ground is a ground, regardless of it's termination point.  Typically with Aquasports, and almost any good boat, you will have a negative, or ground, buss bar located in the bilge area that takes care of the aft located appliances.  In the main accessory harness, there will be a 4GA black that runs forward and terminates to a ground buss under the helm, taking care of the ground requirements forward.  Now, for instance, say you have a bad ground going to your bilge pump.  Rather than trying to identify exactly which wire it is, simply cut out that wire going to the pump at a point where you won't see it, put some heat shrink on the clipped end to stave off corrosion, and run a new ground wire.  The reason to do this is if you wanted to remove the offending black wire, it would be a bitch as chances are it is taped within the harness about every 12"-18" in areas that may be a major PITA to get to.  It won't hurt anything to leave that wire in the harness.

I do a lot of sidework, 99% of electrical issues stem from "ground".  One of the things I like to do (at the owner's expense!) is to place ground busses in various locations around the boat.  Makes trouble shooting and new installs much easier.

[vacottonking]

Bob
I just signed up to this forum and saw your thread.  I have had my 2002 215DC Osprey for a year and a half.  I love it.  I am having my first electrical problem which is posted here as a seperate post.  (respond to that if you would)  I also have a starboard list which seems to be more than battery weight.  The bilge under my starboard fish box had 25 gallons of water which does not drain to the main bilge.  I determined that the live well was leaking behind the helm seat due to a cracked fitting that the rubber hose attaches too.  However even after sucking the water out with a shop vac. it still apears to weigh an extra 100 to 150 pounds more on the starboard side (some of this could be batteries).  Could there be any water trapped in the hull or what could be causing the list to starboard?  Finally, How the heck can you replace the plastic fitting under the live well?  I took the rod holder panel off and can barely reach under there to the fitting.  Should I just cut off the hose?

[turbor2]

Hi, I am new to the web site. I have a 1997 225 ospray with a factory t-top. I have a ton of questions about this console & t-top setup. Is there a way I can talk to you on the phone? My main problem is that the t-top & console shake fore & aft bad. It looks like the whole floor is flexing. Looking for advise on the construction of the boat. Pm a phone # if you dont mind. Thanks Jesse Martello

[seabob4]

Jesse,
Be happy to help.  I'll PM you my number, but once we talk, I'll probably share what we talked about on this forum.  I have some ideas that others might be interested in that could be of benefit to them.  BTW, after she was decked, I built your boat.

[seabob4]

Just to let you all know, I had a great conversation with turbor2 (Jesse) tonight about his 225 Osprey.  It brings a smile to my face that one of my girls is out there providing a lot of enjoyment and fun for their current owners.  Hopefully the "minor" fixes we discussed will take care of the issues he has with her.  I'm pretty sure they will.

That being said, I want to thank Rick and all who contribute here on Classic AS for making this a boating website that I truly enjoy coming to.

I am at your service.  Seabob (Bob C)

[turbor2]

Hi Bob, I am trying to gain access to the aft part of the console under the deck. Do you think I can cut in a 8x10 floor hatch inside the console? My fear is that I may weaken the entire deck. By the way you were correct when you said that someone waked on the deck before the poly. could dry. Apon further inspection the poly is only touching in about 20% off the areas that it should be. Once I get access to the aft part of the console she will be strong as an ox. Thanks again for all the help. Jesse      P.S  I will try to load some pics on here.

[seabob4]

Jesse,
You'll be fine cutting an access hatch inside the console.  That area is over the fuel tank, so there is no bonding surface in that area.  As far as posting pics, you can always upload to Photobucket then post a link in your reply here.  That's what I do.  Or ask RickK.  He knows how to do it and he'll walk you through the process.

[seabob4]

Just to let the newer members know:

Hey Guys (and Girls),
I'm an ex employee from 94-00 who just kinda had my Aquasport/Wellcraft heritage rekindled through THT. My main boats were the 225/245 (250) Ospreys, as well as the 215 DC, and the 225/245 (250) Explorers. Built the only 8 fold down dual station OEM 245/250 Ospreys. Even did a few 275 Explorers, one of the ugliest boats I've ever had the pleasure building! All electrical, plumbing, and motors, as well as t-tops and building the cockpits.

I have an extremely intimate knowledge of these boats, along with their Wellcraft brethren of the same vintage. If anybody has any questions regarding their craft, feel free to ask. I hope I can be of some help.

I'm at Pro-Line now, so thanks for having me. And if anyone has a 23 Tournament Cat out there, I built them all!

[RickK]

Is this where you got your Username? http://seabob.com/en/index.html

[seabob4]

Rick,
You have way too much time on your hands!! LOL, no, it comes from the wife.  She says that if someone has a question/problem with their boat, they should "see Bob for" the answer.  Get it?  She's so clever!  The spelling of "sea" keeps the marine theme going.

Anyway, was out on Crystal River yesterday and today doing boat tests.  There is a mid 90s 225 Osprey on a lift (no T-top) that I know I had to have built it.  Also a mid-nineties Wellcraft 218 CCF (before it became the 220) just up the river from it.  Both have been repowered with Yamaha 4-strokes.  Someday I'd love to stop in and tell them I built their boats!

Take care, my friend.

[jahoward1]

Thanks for the info

[flkeysaqua]

Hey Guys (and Girls),
I'm an ex employee from 94-00 who just kinda had my Aquasport/Wellcraft heritage rekindled through THT.  My main boats were the 225/245 (250) Ospreys, as well as the 215 DC, and the 225/245 (250) Explorers.  Built the only 8 fold down dual station OEM 245/250 Ospreys.  Even did a few 275 Explorers, one of the ugliest boats I've ever had the pleasure building!  All electrical, plumbing, and motors, as well as t-tops and building the cockpits.

I have an extremely intimate knowledge of these boats, along with their Wellcraft brethren of the same vintage.  If anybody has any questions regarding their craft, feel free to ask.  I hope I can be of some help.

I'm at Pro-Line now, so thanks for having me.  And if anyone has a 23 Tournament Cat out there, I built them all!

I know I'm going way back on the post but my father is in the market for a Pro Line is there any advice you could give me (what to stay away from or what to look for) thanks for any help

[Duke]

Hello Seabob4,

I am a new member and have an opportunity to buy a 1997 245 Osprey with a very very soft deck from front to back side to side. The console moves about 6" with a light tug . When I saw your post while searching the internet I could not pass up asking a guru like yourself. What a great opportunity to get some good solid facts. How do you attack this problem? Can you spit the deck and hull and do it from the bottom? Or is this a huge waste of time?  Lets start with that.. Thank you in advance.....

Oh...
I was in lower Jersey last week looking at a 225 Osprey and the guy had the a similar warranty job done but they cut the deck and now it is delaminating and cracking everywhere, what a mess. Yea he forgot to mention that in 4 different phone calls when I asked how the deck was..nice guy.  It was on ebay a few weeks ago. If any one wants to buy this boat, drop me a line I have a story for ya that you could not make up....

[RickK]

Welcome aboard Duke  :!:  :!:

[DBRYAN]

Rick,
You have way too much time on your hands!! LOL, no, it comes from the wife.  She says that if someone has a question/problem with their boat, they should "see Bob for" the answer.  Get it?  She's so clever!  The spelling of "sea" keeps the marine theme going.

Anyway, was out on Crystal River yesterday and today doing boat tests.  There is a mid 90s 225 Osprey on a lift (no T-top) that I know I had to have built it.  Also a mid-nineties Wellcraft 218 CCF (before it became the 220) just up the river from it.  Both have been repowered with Yamaha 4-strokes.  Someday I'd love to stop in and tell them I built their boats!

Take care, my friend.

Did you build my 1995 225 CC?