Need Some Advice from you Ole salts

[Hawg Hunter]

Hey Guys long time no chat, I figured I would come to you guys for some boat advice I Have the Opertunity to trade My Salty Wench a 1982 246 twin johnson 140s                 http://s593.photobucket.com/albums/tt14/HawgHunter2/
Theres a link to it if you guys have forgotten me , Well the Trade is for a 1988 Aquasport 290 Sport fisher with twin 502'S crusaders It seems to be in better shape than the Wench was before i got her.  I figuure you ole salts that have been around these boats longer than me would know   IS this a GOOD  Trade ? I thiink it is , Its just,  I know I worked my ass off on the WEnch. But I think , I know what I am getting into to make that 1988 290 Sweet lookin as good as The Wench
I would Greatly Appreciate you guys thoughts on this matter  

[wingtime]

I guess that depends on how much work the 290 will need and how you would use the boat.  You did some amazing work on the salty wench to get it where you want it.  The 290 is not something you trailer around.  You'll have to have it hauled and such unless you have a huge trailer and tow rig.  Also it's too wide to tow without permits etc.  at least legally.  I have a 26'  Slickcraft cabin cruiser hull that is need of restoring, repower, etc etc. And it's just sitting there just due to the scope of the work required (and $$$).  The amount of work to restore a 290 would be considerably more than what you did to the Wench.  You'll need a overhead hoist or crane to pull inboard 454s. and the list goes one.  But like I said it depends on how your going to use the boat.  If you put it in a slip and keep it there then yeah it would be an awesome boat when restored.  Personally I'd re-power it with diesels.  If you do get it be sure to post plenty of pics!

[RickK]

The 290 XF is a big boating machine  
Like was said, you won't have the mobility that you had with the 246 on a trailer but if that is not an issue for you then I say go for it. No more skinny water fishing either.

[Hawg Hunter]

Thats gonna be a issue i see already ,Any of you guys Know where I can rent A trailer some where just to get it home?

[GoneFission]

You will probably need to get it hauled unless you have something like a dual wheel truck with trailer brake hookups and are willing to get the permits and have a CDL.  Find a marina with a lift at both ends and check the yellow pages for a boat hauler.  They already have the permits and banners, but they can only run during daylight.  It's usually a couple bucks a mile, but prices are flexible as business is down a bit.  It's also handy if you have some time to double up with the hauler - catch them hauling a boat to the beach and you can give them something to bring back so they are not dead-heading.