Aquasport or SeaCraft?

[MarshMarlowe196]

I hear what you're saying LilRichard, and it would be nice to be able to justify keeping both of the boats.  It's just that sometimes I feel limited in the AS especially when the chop is kicking up.  If it's too rough, sometimes I'll just avoid a fishing spot altogether in the AS.  I honestly don't do much offshore fishing... something about seeing nothing but water is kind of boring to me, unless of course you're catching a whole mess of big mean fish.  But, rough water isn't necessarily restricted to offshore, sometimes it seems a helluva lot choppier in the harbor.

The deadrise on the SC is only a little more agressive than the AS.  Both boats will plane out with a minimal amount of horsepower... so I believe the SC would be a pretty alright bay-boat as well.  I think its that patented variable deadrise on the SC that gives it that "special" ride.

As far as both boats being built like tanks, I'll have to disagree.  I believe Aquasport was one of the first companies in the 70's to build boats with foam-filled stringer systems, while the SeaCraft guys were still putting wood in the stringers.  Also, seems like damn near everyone over on ClassicSeacraft.com has had to do some major surgery on their boats (speaking of 80's models and older...).  And, with my personal experience with the SeaCraft, the damn thing was collapsing under it's own weight before I redid the stringers (the stringer system was very lean as well, no crossmembers or extra support, basically just straight channels that ran the length of the keel to screw/glue the floor down to, and that was about it.)

[LilRichard]

There are always things on older boats that need to be rebuilt - you cannot judge a boat's construction by how it sits 20 years later.  I have seen boats go 20 years on an original transom, while others fail in less than 10.  Why?  Because a previous owner screwed things into the wood core without sealing properly, etc.  And yes, AS went with foam stringers - but mine were crushed when I got to then, because they were built only out of mat - no directional material.  My point is, I think they are both well made boats, your may have had a rough life prior to you owning it.  Mine certainly did.

Either way, choose your boat based on where/what it will be used for - along with how much time you wish to invest.

[MarshMarlowe196]

Hmmm... there might be some truth to that.  My AS had never even had a fishing rod in it before I bought it.  It was used three times in it's life as a spill cleanup boat for a local powerplant on the water... but those three times they used it, they beat it up and it shows.  Allegedly, it was in dry storage for the rest of the time.  

I don't know what the history of the SeaCraft is.

[seabob4]

If I may, since I was a bit of an a**hole before ( ), what does your pops do at Key West, and how are they doing?  We (Proline) are shut down till Jan. 5, with only a skeleton crew working for the next 2 weeks, and another 2 in December.  I happen to be one of those lucky few.  Century, Whaler, and SeaRay doing the same.  

So much for the good news.  As far as the SC goes, the key to it's "desirability", if you will, is whether it is a "Potter-built" hull.  Seems that SC enthusiasts almost equate Potter with C. Ray Hunt.  Now I can't say one way or another, but, being in the business, I see an old SC and say, "Hmmm, nice old SeaCraft".  On the other hand, I see an older AS, especially one I know was built when I was there, and I want to get a look at everything about the boat.  Guess it's a matter of preference, sentiment, knowledge, whatever.

I've done business with several members of Classic SC, all good people who love their boats.  No different than AS owners.  So, that being said, I personaly would go ahead with the SC restoration as a long term project.  At the same time, I'd look at the AS and see what she would take as far as finish work and hardware to bring her back to "showroom" condition.  I think the satisfaction you would get from both boats would be very gratifying, especially since you did it yourself.  Future sale of either?  That's entirely up to you.  But it doesn't appear to me selling them is your primary concern.

[MarshMarlowe196]

My dad explains the current situation in the boating industry a "perfect storm" :

Bad Economy

High Gas Prices

$700B Bailout = Very difficult to get a loan.

My dad is also one of the lucky few who is still receiving a paycheck.  Key West is also on a skeleton crew until Jan.   He wears a few hats, but his title is "Director of Sales, Marketing, and Design".  My dad has had a very long history in the boating industry; he was an outboard mechanic for twenty years, he co-owned an unsuccessful boat company called "Stinger Boats of Charleston" for a spurt, was a boat salesman for more than ten years, managed a dealership, and is doing what he's doing now for Key West Boats.  Most of my experience with boats has been more or less me riding his coat-tails.  I've sold boats, helped build them, worked on outboards, flipped a boat or 5,  but it's all been alongside my father whose shoes seem just too big to fill  :)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the potter built hull was MFG'd from the late sixties to late seventies before the untimely demise of the company.

And yes, selling the boats is of no concern to me.  What I'm really trying to do here is justify to myself a reason to keep both of them     Because I really like them both, but I am a little jewish so its tough for me to own two similiar boats, because one of them will begin to look like dollar signs...

As I said before, the AS is putting me on the water, and I certainly appreciate that aspect of the boat.

Oh and as far as you being a tad unpleasant before, we all get the "forum-itis" sometimes.  It's like being in the car alone when someone cuts you off:  you just can't help but voice your graphic opinions.  No harm done :)

[seabob4]

Sounds like your Dad has done right by you.  You got a good head on your shoulders.  The business is, to say the least, tough right now.  Keep our fingers crossed and have hope, that's about all we can do.

BTW, click here.  Tell you what the wife and I did.  Actually, we voted "absentee" about a month ago.  Provides a paper trail too, if you know what I mean.

[MarshMarlowe196]

Nice!  A bumper sticker is more than fitting for Obama.  If confused while voting, think about driving a car.  If you want to go forward, put the car in "D".  If you want to go in reverse, put the car in "R".

Makes sense to me   :P

[seabob4]

Lord, if someone is confused about voting, well, to be nice, I HOPE NOT!

[Hardwater]

Maybe it's just me...but I'm here because I'm interested in Aquasport boats.  If I want to get into political BS...it'd be at a political website.

seabob4, it seems you have quite a bit to offer regarding knowledge of the 1990s era Aquasports - and that's definitely appreciated.  Don't know if you are the same person going by the same screen name on the continuousWave Whaler site..but that person seemed eager to work politics in whenever possible.

This site is pretty good about sticking to boats and I was enjoying the discussion about Aquasports and Seacrafts.  Not trying to have an attitude on this...and maybe I'm outta line 'cause I'm fairly new here...just sayin'.

[seabob4]

I, too, am voting for Obama.

Cool

Thanks again for the input guys, but since the SeaCraft is still upside down on a trailer, I don't think the trusty 19-6 will be going anywhere anytime soon. It's kind of a father-son project anyway, and after talking to the pops about it, he will definitely want it done to "showroom" quality, so it's still a long time coming. He also said he didn't think I'd want any of my a-hole buddies dropping their beer cans on a fresh new restored floor, and what's the fun in that?... I had to agree.

Hardwater,
The above quote is from the originator of this post.  Therefore, I simply responded to his statement, although I never initiated it, if you will read the entire thread.

Yes, if I am given a chance, or an opening is offered, I will inject some politics, I will offer my viewpoint, although I will try to be subtle.  Yes, I am seabob4 on CW, as well as WC.  You know as well as I do that I am an opinionated and political person, and will not hesitate to put my $.02 in when given the opportunity.  If it differs from your opinion, so be it.  We'll get over it.

Now, if you read the thread about "Ex-AS/Wellcraft Employee", well, that should tell you a little about me.  Been doing this for 15 years, so I've gotta little smarts about how boats are put together.  Got any questions about an AS?  Ask away, I'll be more than happy to help, if I can.  Bring politics into the equation?  I'll be more than happy to lend whomever my opinion, as you probably have noticed.  Although I think this type of behavior is more suited to THT's "The Bilge".  Ever been there?

So, that being said, what model AS are you curious about?  If I can't help you, someone here can.  Just not as much traffic as CW, so be patient.

[Hardwater]

What part of my post didn't you understand?

Went out of my way to say your knowledge on Aquasports was definitely appreciated.  The thread you brought up - and others - make my point.  Learn how to take a compliment.

It was just a heads up.  Dig your own hole if you want to.  I'm out.

[seabob4]

Hardwater,
Thank you for the compliment.  It is most appreciated.  As I said, if there is anything I can help you with, I'll be more than happy to.

But it seems to me that YOU brought up the political thing...

Now, if you, and I, just want to drop that aspect of this thread, anything you want to ask?

[RickK]

Whew, glad that it's finally over  

[seabob4]

Rick,
In these times that we are experiencing, anything political is bound to raise some hackles on both sides of the fence.  Recent postings in the META discussion thread on Continuous Wave, the Whaler owner website, in regards to today's political environment approached nearly 400 before the discussion forum was closed.  Civil, but, as the days leading up to Nov. 4 drew closer, things got a little heated up.

The point of any Classic boating forum, whether it is AS, BW, GW, SC, or whatever, is to take the collective knowledge of the members and make that available to owners and users who may not possess that knowledge.  A win-win for all.  Unfortunately, there are those who seek to use these forums for their own personal  gain, whether it pertain to the subject at hand or something else.  Do you, as the site administrator, want to add a section where members can beat each other up over ideological and political differences?  I don't think so.  Go to "The Bilge" on THT, and you can have all you want.  Should a topic get to the point where something is said that deserves a response, as this one did, well, cooler heads will prevail, as you have seen.

BTW, what did Hardwater want?  Maybe he can answer that for us.  In the meantime, we have this SeaCraft/Aquasport dilemma to deal with.

[RickK]

My post was intentionally vague - was I talking about your little debate or the elections in general? Politics are always a dicey topic.
We've always been pretty mellow here - actually had one member complain that it's boring. He wanted a place like you mentioned and that's fine but unfortunately we're not like that here. Plenty of other places to go if you want to debate a point or beat your chest until someone takes you on.