WANT A BRAND NEW CLASSIC AQUASPORT???

[Fletch170]

These are awesome. Built like a brick sh*thouse, and the finish quality is unreal.

http://www.aeonmarine.com/

[gran398]

Very attractive. Nice website.

But for many reasons...Not an Aquasport. Not even a clone. The 14 degree deadrise is the first clue, second clue the multiple hull strakes.

You have inquired about the old molds. No documented history as to their disposal. Although much educated speculation exists....their whereabouts/potential disposal remain a mystery. One mold may have migrated all the way to New England, based on board discussion this spring. Some, the famous ones...gone completely as far as we're aware.

Nice looking ride. For rebuild comparisons...how much for the hull, ready to fish....no engine?

Thanks!

[seabob4]

WANT A BRAND NEW CLASSIC AQUASPORT???

Might you re-title your thread "Want a brand new Aeon?"

Matter of fact, invite the owners of Aeon on here to explain their heritage, hull and deck mold wise.  Might make for some interesting discussion...

[Fletch170]

Gran,


HAHA! All very good points, I was stating that they share most of the clean lines as the AS, the reason why many of us love them so much. I'm a sucker for clean, basic boats. IMO, most boats are built off of prior designs, or carry styling "nods" to boats in the post.

Back about 10 years ago, my family and I owned a boat sales company in NJ. We sold Jupiter, Sailfish, and a few other boat lines. Despite Jupiter being one amazing boat, as well as Sailfish, the seasoned boaters knew "oh yea, The jupiter, they popped that off an old Island runner, and the Sailfish "oh yea, they built that off one of the old potter molds". It seems to me that there are very few "original" designs out there. Let's just take the Island runner for example.....

26 foot, twin engine boat....very fast, very light, 8 foot beam, was built for going from florida to the islands very quickly, I wonder why????? None of these had rod holders???? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

From that boat came the Rambo, and the jupiter, and later, the island runner as we know it today (now out of business, but the boats are still around). From the Jupiter came the Venture 34, the Bahama 31, and Island runner's 35.

So, it makes sense that people would build boats off the AS. Its a shallow draft, pretty boat, right?

What other well known boats are made from older boats?

I know See Vee was built off an old Formula hull, I THINK, Jones brothers were built off a Parker, and Dakots and palmetto were built off the old 35 Cigarette hull.

Any one else want to drop some knowledge about the origin of current boats on the market?

[wingtime]

What about the Rabco boats?  I heard Randy Rabe made molds splashed on a couple of old Keri-Craft hulls. (spelling)  They were out of business but someone held the copyrights and a nasty law suit came out of it.  My buddy has a 1970 18' Keri-Craft and I saw some new 18' Rabco boats a few years ago.  Exact same hull.  The cap was the same with the exception of the transom being closed in.   Thing is not many people have heard of the Keri-Craft.

[Fletch170]

I did't know that! Those rabco boats, 24 Degrees of deadrise, and a 4 foot beam. 100mph.

[MarshMarlowe196]

I think we can all agree that the look and build of the Aquasport was not a completely original idea.  It looks like a Panga... heck the flatback was really just a wide Panga.

 I wouldn't mind a few more degress deadrise, some lifting strakes, flotation that meets Coast Guard requirements, no wood in the layup, and some new glass that's not brittle and cracked with age, all with the clean lines of an Aquasport.

I'd take an Aeon, but I don't want to pay what they want for one.

[Fletch170]

HAHA! I wouldn't mind a 29 See Vee, but I got Champagne taste and Kool Aid money:)

[seabob4]

Formula 233 comes to mind, and the number of hulls that either are direct splashes or nearly identical, with some very minor mods...

Breakthough hull designs are few and far between, as most navel architects understand hydrodynamics and how to best go about dealing it, controlling it, utilizing it.  So, over the last 100 years or so, the basics have been pretty well ironed out, there is not a lot of "new" designs to be tried, as they pretty much have been tried before (think stepped hulls).  So that leaves many builders with no choice but to find someone elses hull that worked and make a copy of it.  Hell, anybody with enough $$ can do it.  Notice I said anybody...

So let's say I can pick up a new Aeon for $70,000.  Now, let's give that same $70K to a 22-2 owner to restore his boat.  You'll end up with the most beautiful Aquasport anyone has ever seen...and it will be an Aquasport, not an Aeon, a Dorado, or whatever.  

I think the majority here would rather have the latter than the former...

[gran398]

If someone gave me 70K I'd go buy one of them blonde, blued-eyed Russian brides. Like they have on House Hunters International. They just smile a lot, can't speak a word of English.

[Fletch170]

hahaha if you spend 70 k on a 22-2, you need your head examined.

With that being said, I'm right there with you. The Aeon is an amazing boat, but personally, I can't see spending that kind of cash. ESPECIALLY, with what 70k can buy you slightly used in a down economy.

hahaha House hunters international makes me angry, especially when it's 10 degrees here in the northeast, and these a holes are in Fiji looking to buy a plantation. Ugh.

Seabob, you are right on. My point being, its a modernized Aquasport. Also, what did a factory 22-2 cost back then, apply that in today's dollars......the Aeon might not be THAT far off the mark.

-Fletch

[Fletch170]

Oh, thought of another one.

The Conch 27. This WAS built from scratch, by none other than a bunch of blowboaters up in New England (I believe). Every YellowFin is built off the conch 27 (besides their flats boats obviously).

[Capt. Bob]

My point being, its a modernized Aquasport. Also, what did a factory 22-2 cost back then, apply that in today's dollars......the Aeon might not be THAT far off the mark.
-Fletch

You didn't state what year so....

Base price (no options) of a 1975 22-2 would cost you today 28.5K +/-. Add every available option in 75 to the Aqua and it's still...

Not even close.

Anyway it's apples and oranges.
Besides looking somewhat, kinda, sorta, well maybe with one eye closed  :cyclops:  alike.........  

The only thing they share in common is (presumably), they float in water.

[seabob4]

Oh, thought of another one.

The Conch 27. This WAS built from scratch, by none other than a bunch of blowboaters up in New England (I believe). Every YellowFin is built off the conch 27 (besides their flats boats obviously).

You might want to explain this website...http://www.randrboatworks.com/index.php

Built by a bunch of blow boaters in NE?  Guess they re-located to Stuart...and Wilie managed to finagle a hull mold off them, and bring it on up to 42'...

THIS, I want to hear about...

[Blue Agave]

Hull splashing happens all the time.  My '75 19-6 aquasport was used as a plug here in Tampa.  Hull, inner inner, deck cap, fuel hatch and deck hatch molds were all created.    :silent:

Once done and my boat was pulled out of the mold, I was asked if I wanted my hull titled as new under his company or if I wanted my original AS HIN.  I didn't even flinch, I said "I want my original HIN".