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

[seabob4]

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!

BTW, this is who you are talking to:


As one of my old bosses, little Johnny Stamas used to say, "a face with the name"...

Now you've got my face!  Do I hear breaking mirrors?

Bob C

[Irish Rover]

Hello Seabob,

I have a used 1999 245 Explorer and I love it.  Does this boat have any wood or foam in it?

Where are the boats weak spots?

Thanks

Judd

[seabob4]

Judd,
The deck was cored with 1/2" end-grain balsa but the hull is wood free.  Foam filled stringers and a transom filled with 2-part "pour foam", which cured to the hardness of concrete!  Very stout, shouldn't ever give you any problems.

The only problem area you might run into is cracking in the splashwell radiuses, especially if you have twin 150s, the max power for this boat. However, all boats with splashwells, regardless of make, typically suffer this problem.

Do you have a factory hardtop?  No problems, just a nice option to have.

[Irish Rover]

Thanks for the info.

I have a single Evinrude 225 ficht.  So far the engine has run great.  No hard top, just a bimini top.

love the boat.

[seabob4]

If anybody emailed me with a question, the site "regressed" for a while, so try it again.

[Retimlap]

Seabob,

I recently purchased a 1996 225 Explorer.

What can you tell me about that model?

Was it manufactured well?

[seabob4]

Your '96 Explorer should give you no problems.  If you have a single, your splashwell shouldn't show signs of spiderwebbing in the radii.  Twin 150s might.  But the transom core is 2-part "pour foam", strong as concrete.

The only issue might be your fishbox, and pumping it out.  If you have some issues with it, I can tell you how to do it right.  Another thing?  Your access to your wiring behind the helm.  Enlarge the opening and install an opening hatch, not pie plate.  Makes dealing with switch/breaker issues a lot easier.

[Retimlap]

Seabob4,

Thanks for the information.  You sound like a great resource.

I am actually going to the coast to pick up the boat on Sunday.  I bought it a coupe of weeks ago but have not had time to go get it.

When I took it out for a test everything seems to work fine and the gentleman I bought it from has been great to work with.

I has the single 200 Johnson.

I am sure I will "use" your knowledge later.

JP

[seabob4]

JP,
Feel free to "use" my knowledge.  The 200 Ocean Pro/Ocean Runner was the most popular install on the 225, and also the base motor.  A 225HP was the preferred for a single.

An improvement which occurred around 97-98 was a 3-piece hinged fishbox hatch with a fixed center section which was a whole lot better than the big one-piece hatch.  Opened from both sides, and you didn't have to take the whole hatch off.  I believe you can still contact Wellcraft CS and get a replacement.  Just a great improvement, but not a "must have".

Have fun, and let me know if you need any help.

[seabob4]

BTW, the name's Bob.

[Double Trouble]

I just bought a 2000 aquasport explorer 275 this past spring and  I am pretty happy with it. can you tell me if this boat is pre genmar or not.

[Double Trouble]

By the way some pictures are in my gallery

[seabob4]

DT,
Your Explorer if smack in the middle of Genmars ownership and production of Aquasport.  Which is actually a good thing.  Other than your cabinetry below decks and the deck coring, there is no wood in the hull.  What is your power, do you have a genset, and where do you fish?  You shouldn't be afraid of any but the snottiest conditions as she is a very stable boat, but her best power was twin 225s.  Yamahas we're the choice at the time.

Sorry about my "ugly" comments on the 275, but she does look like she ran into a brick wall with her nose at one time or another!

[Double Trouble]

I am powered by twin evinrude 200s. Did you ever here of the boat having a problem turning to port.

[seabob4]

DT,
What exactly is the problem you experience turning to port?  Every builder uses the same motors and Teleflex sterering systems, i.e. Seastar.  Describe your condition, and maybe I can shed some light on the matter.  Sounds like an issue with your helm pump.