The Official Explorer Registry

[wingtime]

OK I finally got around to putting some pics of my Explorer on this thread!

[aquadaze]

Well count me in, I just bought a 97 225 explorer with a 200 evinrude ocean pro.

I havent had a boat in almost 6 years so I am really looking forward to this.

[fishnfever]

  Just got it today 1996 Aquasport 215 

[newone]

We just picked up the same year and model last week. Already got fish slime on her!

[hooker67]

Just got a 250 Explore 2003. It's a bit different as I'm down in Australia and haven't seen any more down here. Got some big plans for her and I have started to strip it down and restore it back to new with a full sand and polish. Not that it was poor condition just I need to do it now as it would never get done as I would be out fishing in her. Plans at this stage are putting a 300 verado and all new electronics twin simrad nss12 evo2
Just need to sell my other boat to have the cash. 

[RickK]

Welcome to the Explorer group
The Explorer (aka EX) is a wonderful model for activities in the cockpit - trolling, deep fishing, sunning, partying, etc.
As you can tell by the Profile view there is a lot of weight forward so you'll need to learn how to trim and adjust the tabs to keep the weight back a bit to avoid getting wet. 
I have a soft top EX and added (thanks to my lovely wife) a full bimini around the cockpit and to the back of the boat and then we added to the entire bimini, screen and eisenglass.  This gives us a great lounge boat with plenty of shade/cover, a camper (which we love to do) and also I can remove the back portion of the bimini and use her to fish deep and we can hide under the cockpit canvas. The screen makes the boat nice in bug season and the eisenglass makes it nice in foul weather.
The cabin on these boats is a place to hide if you don't have a wrap and sleep (a couple people) if you like to camp.  With a porta potty it gives the crew a place to do their business if necessary. Otherwise it's a place to store rods and gear.
I really like mine - I don't get to use it often enough but it is a nice boat.

[CoastalJuan]

Hey guys,

I'm John. I live in Wilmington, NC. I bought my 1998 215 Explorer back in February. It was re-powered in 2006 with a Suzuki DF225, so haven't had the "too much weight up front" issues, ha.

I haven't had it offshore yet. Mostly just been island hopping and joyriding so far. I grew up fishing on my dad's old 1978 Bertram 35 convertible. In that boat, the outlook was 1 ft seas (Wow! Yay!), 3-4ft seas (a little bumpy, but we're still going out), and 6ft seas (hold on, it's going to be a little scary on the way back). Needless to say, I'm having to re-learn weather planning for...1ft seas (great), 3-4 ft seas (terrifying), and 6ft seas (Nope!).

Thanks for having me aboard, and putting up with my all the dumb question to come.

[RickK]

Welcome to the EX club John

[ShawnsIronman]

2000 Aquasport Explorer 215

-Repowered with 2005 Yamaha 200 4-Stroke
-Lowrance HDS7
-Lowrance Elite 4 HDI
-SonicHub 2 Marine Audio Module
-1950 Boss Marine Amplifier
-Audiopipe Speakers

It is a fishing machine in both deep and shallow water and a great family boat

[RickK]

Looks good!  The Explorer is a great model.

[SteelHead]

Hi my name is Rocky, My Wife Kathy and I took on the stewardship of this 1992 210 Explorer about 6 years ago . We live on Cape Cod during the summers and moor her in the Bass River . When we got her she was well equipped with GPS ,Bennett trim tabs and a Hummingbird fish finder, we have upgraded the electronics with a Lowrance Elite 5 GPS/chart plotter and a Cobra MRF45-D VHF . The original 175 Black Max struggled for 3 years and we got towed in twice ,Sweety said we needed a new one, so now she is sporting a very low hour 2002, 150 SaltWater Series Merc. she never ran so good ! We have been enjoying the second season since the repower and new aluminum 100g tank  and everything is as it should be . We are planning an overnight camping trip to Marthas Vineyard in the near future. Our next upgrade will be a T-Top or a modified radar arch to keep the deck clear of fishing rods . We are very happy with our choice of this boat/model and are gaining more confidence in her every time we go out !         

[Capt. Bob]

A fine craft but then I'm biased.

[joe b graham]

This is my 225 Explorer. I just bought it last year. I'm from central MS looking forward to getting in the gulf this summer

[Capt. Bob]

The model I wanted when I was searching for a WAC.

 

[joe b graham]

I bought it last year from a 81 year old man tha told me that it had around 300 hr on it the compression on the motor is right on and he still had all the cushions and all of the enclosure around the cockpit.the fabric is in good shape but the zipper and snaps are gone but a good upholstery shop should be able to make me new ones.