1970 Aquasport 170 rebuild

[catndahats]

So, after lurking around on the site for a year, searching for an early 19-1 or 19-6 to restore with no luck, I stumbled upon a 1970 model 17 in need of a complete restoration.  After talking with the owner, it turns out that the boat was a perfect match for my plans, and equally for the seller.  In Texas, transferring boat titles can be a tricky and frustrating experience; especially with older boats where titles get lost, previous owners move, pass away, etc...  Titles for this 41 year old project were transferred somewhat painlessly this week thank God.  And so let the project begin.

I've built and restored quite a few boats over the years, and  have had a nostalgic feeling everytime I see a restored classic Aquasport.  Reminds me of my youth, skiing, days spent fishing with my dad down in Rockport and around Galveston Bay where we live.  Dad passed away last summer, and I've been recovering from cancer surgery, and for the first time in my life I was boatless.  The whole time longing to get back out on the water.  What better time to restore a classic Aquasport.

Expecting the worst, as the project begins I am only encouraged by what I am finding so far.

So, this morning I began on the rear deck.  There was a very rough repair done at some point (years ago) to the deck between the console and transom.  The previous owner speculated that the boat had at one time an under deck gas tank, which made sense looking at the fiberglass job in that area.  I was hopeful that the boat was original and that the stringers were intact.  Here's a couple pictures of what I found.
Before:


After:

[pete]

that should keep you busy!good luck with your project!

[c master]

I live here in Houston (Meyerland area) and have a 1975 170.  There are a few differences but if you want to take a look at mine for "reference", you're welcome to drop by.

Mainly, the 1970 version didn't have a belly tank, as there was a full-length stringer down the middle.  But if you're tearing out the floor anyway, I'd consider 'boxing out' a space for a belly tank.  It is real nice to have 150+ lbs of fuel down there (low cG) instead of under the console, especially since yours didn't have the extra storage created by the later model's forward console seat.  And your fuel fill / vent line could be easily added to the side of the console.  The trough for the control cables will also accomodate the battery cables and the fuel line back to the transom.   Moving the battery forward from the transom (where it was originally) will help with the self-bailing feature...it's a bit of a problem in these boats when you're standing back there.  Everybody uses ping-pong ball scupper valves to keep water out.

I really like the look of the 1970 model...very clean.

Cliff

ps - as you may have discovered, there are original 1970 170 borchures in the Photo Gallery section of this site.

[RickK]

Ditto on what c master says.  
You have the same liner as I do - not many have that liner with the rod holders set-in.  (Makes me think mine is a late 70 sold as a 71) The problem with those set-ins are they are too short for most poles.
I am getting a soft spot in my floor now and it won't be too long before I dig into it again.  I will get a tank made and put it under the sole a little forward of the console or as much as I can.

[c master]

Just one additional thought:  There are some nice consoles out there that would replace your original.  I know that's not "pure" to the idea of an Aquasport re-build, but the newer ones often have molded-in, stand-up rod holders, easier access to the wiring harnesses, plus the addition of a front seat or even a live-well/seat would be handy.  You're going to paint anyway, so the newer console would match and give you an original 'look'.  By the time you patch up the one you have, you could have spent that time on something else and you still have the old console, which simply wasn't as user-friendly anyway.  

Those original horizontal built-in "rod holders" are indeed too short, although I think they could be modified for other stuff like life jacket storage or a boat hook, gaff, etc.   My kids' rods do fit in them...not my 7' trout rods though.

Incidentally, there's a guy down in the Kemah area with a small shop, that does amazing gel-coat/paint work.  A good buddy of mine has used him for several rebuilds, including a 20' Aquasport, and original trihull Thunderbird ("Flipper"), and a Mako.  Not saying you shouldn't do the work yourself...but he's pretty reasonable for shooting epoxy paint, and his results look like a new boat.  When you factor the spray equipment cost and the 100% likelyhood of success the first time...well, you know what I'm saying.

It's interesting how boat designs have changed over the years...but a "modernized" old Aquasport is just so much cooler than a new boat.

[catndahats]

thanks for the tips.

Ended up pulling the console yesterday.  No surprises or big deals there.

Continued pulling out the old repairs to the floor between the console and transom.  The original floor covered a layer of wet, completely delaminated plywood that extended all the way forward to the casting platform and back to the transom.  It came out in handfulls, no saw required. The floors surrounding the stringers were completely full of foam bow to stern, not closed cell foam just old fashioned pour in type...a lot of it was the consistency of watermelon if that gives you an idea.  That is coming out.

Stringers bad--all three.  That surprised me.  All three were broken all the way through in at least one place, pulled and broken away from the tabbing in several areas, they looked compressed from the top.  Foam inside wet.  Pondering that situation and repair right now, wondering how to procede?  The hull however is amazingly solid, no stress cracks or deflection anywhere, that's good.  My guess is that the stringer damage was possibly caused over time, more from the deck down rather than from the hull twisting in rough water while out running.

I know everyone talks about the scupper drains, and that will have to addressed in the rebuild.  With the current motor ('87 Johnson 70) the motor mounts cover the scupper drains restricting drainage.  That's just a weird design.  The transom is solid as a rock.  I've jumped all over it and the lower unit and it does not budge.  I'll be looking closer when I get the rest of the deck out.

Back to work.

[c master]

Since I'm a recent "joiner" to the forum, this is the first major 170 rebuild I've read about so it's very interesting to me.

Well, if there's any good news in all of your 'discovery', it's that:  (a) Since you've torn the floor out anyway, you could "box out" a space for the belly tank and build a 'tray' for it.    (b) You may be able to re-use some of the fiberglass portions of the stringers, since they're the right shape, height, etc. and it sounds like they're already pretty loose.  And (c) your hull is about to lose a lot of water weight!

I keep thinking of my own boat...if I was doing all the work you are, I'd consider building a full-height transom like the 22-2 Flatback rebuilders do. (unless it's too heavy that way).

BUT:  THERE ARE MUCH MORE KNOWLEDGABLE OWNERS ON THIS SITE...I DEFER TO THEM ABOUT FLOORS, TRANSOMS AND STRINGER REPLACEMENT.

That's weird about the scuppers being covered up...I guess if you're going to buy a new engine the mounting plate can be replaced.  (or can be replaced even with the same motor.)

One other idea:  While it's opened up, install a 1500 gph bilge pump near the transom, with a well-routed discharge line to the aft quarter (near the AS logo).   And perhaps a couple of pvc wiring tubes fore and aft for new wiring runs.  Actually I'm a little jealous of having the floor removed...it's almost impossible to do those things easily unless the whole floor is opened up.
I can tell you, these 170's are great little hulls...very seaworthy and remarkably dry.  I'd like to have a 22' or even a 24', but I sure like my 17'.   Post pictures when you can!

[RickK]

The reason the motor mount covers the scuppers (mine are that way too) is that the engine mounts changed to a wider standard in the 70s I'm guessing.  The early 70s motors fit in there between the scuppers nicely.

[pete]

I would drill a few test hole in that transom,see if the sawdust comes out wet,with all that rotten deck and stringers it makes sense that the transom has some too,might as well do it all at once.good luck

[catndahats]

just an update, pics of the heart of the matter.  Broken stringers, rotten plywood decking, mountains of foam removed, a few misc....by the way, not all the foam was soaked, probably about 20% was wet towards the stern, mostly outboard of the stringers.  The damage to the stringers is still a mystery, my conclusion is that 41 years of wear, neglect, and poor deck repairs caused the stringers to break apart.  One interesting observation:  the stringers have limber holes at the transom to let water drain out, however every limber hole was completely packed with pour in foam which prevents the water from escaping.

Nothing a little duct tape won't fix.............. :joker:

front deck with mystery holes/patches = water inlet to speed up deck rot



old plywood:


stringers:

[RickK]

I had the middle stringer broken in mine when I replaced my sole 15+ years ago and I rebuilt it with wood. Wood and fiberglass, like a splint.  Worked like a charm - bridged the missing glass with wood and then replaced the missing glass with new. The indication I had that there was a problem was that the boat would twist when it hit waves.
When I cut the deck out of her in the near future (had a crack in the hull that let water in and soaked the foam which rotted the replaced deck) I think I will gut her down to the hull and build trapazoid stringers from a form (someone posted how to do it here) and then design my own stringer system to hold a fuel tank under the sole and maybe some storage under the sole.
Be interested in what you do next here.

[catndahats]

thanks for the input Rick.  Spent the rest of this afternoon washing / cleaning the inside of the boat.  Lifted / removed about 8 feet of the starboard stringer by hand since it was broken and no longer connected.  Vacumed and washed everything exposed with a strong Clorox soap and water mix, and since I start back to school tomorrow will let everything air dry a while before going forward.

Four ideas regarding stringer repair and rebuilding the boat:
1.  Make a splint as Rick said out of wood, mechanically bolt the wood to the good area, then glass over everything.
2. Build a mold and make at least 1 new stringer out of glass keeping to the original design.
3. Rip out all three stringers and build a new composite grid of stringers and frames (ribs) to include under deck access for inspection and repairs, possible fuel and storage.
4. Make the boat into an open crabbing skiff with a tiller steer motor.....

I've got to decide which way to go:
#1 and #2 are less expensive and keep the hull closer to original construction.
#3 is more expensive (using composites like Coosa board) and takes away the "classic" restoration aspect, but would make a "based on a 1970 Aquasport 17" hybrid that potentially could last another 40 years.
#4 nawwww.....

The boat was acquired for almost free...paid for the trailer and a questionable motor.  So, I've got to make decisions based on how much I want to invest.  I love the 17 design, it's totally a classic!

[catndahats]

When is a classic Aquasport rebuild like a box of Cracker Jacks?

Today's surprise find ......




A Matchbox car was imbedded in the foam inside one of the stringers....the kid that lost it would have to be at least 45 years old now....wouldn't it be funny if he remembered dropping his car inside the bucket of foam?

[Blue Agave]

Wow!  Poor kid grew up in south FL without his favorite toy.  Must have been bring your kid to work day.

[WesJ]

Dang Nate, from the investigation I had done I didnt think there would be near that much damage, especially based on the condition of the hull itself.  Hope to see you be able to get it going again soon!  Youve made GREAT progress in a short time!

Wes