1978 Aquasport xscape 18

[badandy]

I am new to the board and to boats I am thinking of picking up a 1978 Aquasport xscape 18 as a first boat for the family to cruise and play in most likely not fish as none of us are fishers but who knows as the boy gets older. The boat has a 115 johnson and a Caukins tralier The interior is a little rough figure I can duct tape it up for this year and then redo the seat covers next winter. Since you all are the resident experts on Aquasports would you think this to be a good boat for a beginer. Why or why not. I like the idea of not having wood in the hull as it is a 28 year old boat.  Below are pictures.
   
 http://www.iboats.com/sites/edsboats/si ... c00027.jpg

http://www.iboats.com/sites/edsboats/si ... c00022.jpg
edit title to use corect name so as not to confuse anyone

[billh1963]

Looks like a good boat for the family. I'm not an Aquasport expert myself (just bought my first one) but I've been around and on them for years. I think you'll find them to be robust hulls as long as you keep ahead of deck and transom issues.

I've noticed that Aquasports don't have the following of Boston Whaler's, Mako's, Grady-White's, etc. That's a shame since they really have some nice history. The action in the forum is a little slow compared to what I'm used to in the Boston Whaler forums!

Good luck!

[badandy]

I think you'll find them to be robust hulls as long as you keep ahead of deck and transom issues.

Thanks but could you please explain what you mean by isues? like I said new to boating appreciate any help.
 I see you are from the Carolinas I spent a year in Fort Bragg for the Army realy liked the area espcialy the weather.

[billh1963]

Issues are "soft spots" on the deck (you can feel them as you walk around) and a weak transom (one indicator is the transom flexes as you lift or lower the motor and stop suddenly). Both are caused by rot in the wood. Your stringers are foam filled but (I believe this to be the case in your boat) the decks and transom are fiberglass encapsulated plywood.

These can be fixed but at a cost.

Bill

[badandy]

Thanks for the advice I was under the assumption that the whole hull was wood free.

[billh1963]

I'm hoping an expert will chime in here. I like the content of the website but the action is a little slow  :)

[Radioshop]

I would say the issue comes down to price.  It's an older boat on an older trailer with an older engine.  If you can get it cheap enough to leave room for repairs,  it might not be a bad deal.  The boat looks like it had lots of stuff added to it.  Some of which you may or, may not want.  The boat looks like it's in Illinois based on the reg. numbers, which likely means less usage than a Florida boat.  It would have that going for it.  For a first boat it's probably good.  You may need to repair a deck or, rebuild the transom, but none of this is impossible.  Depending on your level of skill, it might be a winter project one year.

[badandy]

The boat was registered in Illinois but is now in Wisconsin. I tried to look at it today but it is in the warehouse and the warehouse worker was at lunch. Unfortianetly the sales staff don't get over excited about a customer looking at the low end. If I was looking at new yachts they would have been jumping through hoops to show me the boat not its in the warehouse here are the directions ask for Johny. Oh well. They get there used boats back on the lot in the spring they keep off now so they can plow. I may try later to see it. I am most interested in the prospect that it doesn't have wood in the hull.

[RickK]

I didn't know they made an "escape 18". Learn something new everyday.
As far as I know, the older AS lines has wood only in the transom and the decking - at least mine does.

[badandy]

I am getting my info from this site in the photo gallery.

The top boat is what I am looking at except the one I am looking at is a lot ruffer in the interior. Same engine and everything. Anyone know if these are good boats? Or have experience with them?

[JimCt]

?

[billh1963]

I think badandy's question stems from the brochure, which states that the boat has no wood and is all fiberglass construction. I don't think they built all fiberglass transoms and decks 30 years ago? I'm not sure the right materials were available.

[badandy]

exactly what I am asking

[billh1963]

Andy,
you may not get the definitive answer you are looking for, but, let me say that IF the price is right, the decks are solid, the transom doesn't flex, the engine runs good, and you like the boat then buy it!

I've owned wooden boats built in the 1940's all the way through to new modern boats and they all have their strenghths and weaknesses. Buy a solid boat that doesn't need any structural work and you'll have a great time!

Aquasports are good boats with a good reputation. As long as the boat is solid it will be a safe and fun adventure for you and the family.

[RickK]

Definitely the pleasure side of AS (that I never realized they had).  Brochures Do say all fiberglass and NO WOOD PANELS to worry about.  I agree with Bill on whether they had the woodless decking systems back then or transom.  I've been wrong before though     If you buy it, let us know.
AS started out in center consoles (I'm not sure if they started the CC craze or not) when other mfg were in the pleasure line and then AS introduced a pleasure line when other mfg were just introducing a CC line to catch up.