1974 Aquasport 246 Center Console Cabin (CCC)

[Fletch170]

Ray,

Awesome stuff man, Def post pictures! I saw this on ebay as well, and thought "what a great fishing platform". I saw the thing was laying in a field for a while, what's the story behind it?

-Fletch

[RickK]

Interesting points!  I'm wondering if they kept the platform on the CCC to use as a step down.  Was one of the previous owners on this site?  Any links to the discussion? I didn't find it.

No, it was just a posting on eBay and we monitor ebay for Aquasports - this one caught our eye and we started discussing what we thought it was.

[T Race]

Cool boat Ray.  

I'll bet you a tall, frosty PBR that you're gonna be lovin' this boat.    

[GoneFission]

Remember the CCC keeps the liner from the FF without the dash/control panel in the front and no windshield.  The port on the sides of most FFs was an option that most had fitted when they were made.  The same option was available on the CCC.  

$175 is an amazing price for this boat, and you can use parts off a FF for replacements except the console - which is a CCP item.  Check the transom and deck for soft spots, do some cleanup and TLC, put a 200/225/250 on her, and you will have a great big-water boat!  

[baycrabber]

Hello Fletch,

I'll post a bunch of pictures during the restoration.  I can't wait to start.

I've owned a cuddy cabin and several center consoles, but to have both in one boat is amazing!  The boat will need a lot of work, but what 70s boat doesn't.  I'm coming from the Mako world and have spent many a night reading the restoration articles on classicmako.com.  Still do!  Now on to classicaquasport.com articles.

Yes, it looks like the boat has been sitting for awhile.  I'll see if the current owner knows the history on the boat.  The CCCs are very interesting.


Ray

Ray,

Awesome stuff man, Def post pictures! I saw this on ebay as well, and thought "what a great fishing platform". I saw the thing was laying in a field for a while, what's the story behind it?

-Fletch

[baycrabber]

I already love the boat, so I owe you one!

Cool boat Ray.  

I'll bet you a tall, frosty PBR that you're gonna be lovin' this boat.    

[baycrabber]

Well, hopefully, there's no catch to the $175.00.  It's so low that there has to be a catch.  It was worth the risk for the price though.  I haven't picked it up yet, so I don't have my hopes up.  I talked to the owner prior to paying for it through PayPal.  It seems legitimate.  The owner said that the boat has a solid deck and transom.  I'm already planning on replacing both though, since it's improbable that they are solid.

How do the gas tanks hold up in these boats?  Do you think I'll need to replace it?

Thanks for the information on the CCCs.  Judging from the pictures, I'll need the battery box covers, cuddy hatch, and cuddy cushions.  She had sold the leaning post, but I have a new one that I never installed on my last Mako.  It'll fit the boat well.  The console hatch is broken, but I bought a brand new starboard one that should fit great.

If you know anyone with these parts, please let me know.

Thanks again for the info!  Much appreciated.


Ray  

Remember the CCC keeps the liner from the FF without the dash/control panel in the front and no windshield.  The port on the sides of most FFs was an option that most had fitted when they were made.  The same option was available on the CCC.  

$175 is an amazing price for this boat, and you can use parts off a FF for replacements except the console - which is a CCP item.  Check the transom and deck for soft spots, do some cleanup and TLC, put a 200/225/250 on her, and you will have a great big-water boat!  

[Fletch170]

SO, from what I gather, these boats are A LOT easier to restore than a Mako. If it's the original tank, it's most likely shot.

The floor is most likely soft, the stringers are soaked, and the transom is worm food. But, besides that, SHIP SHAPE!!!

It's fishing machine, and if you can look past the rough, she's going to be sweet.

[baycrabber]

That's it!  Piece of cake!  Ha ha!  I figured all of the above, especially since it's a 1974.

I started reading some of the restoration posts.  What exactly is a liner?  Is that an Aquasport term?  I've never heard of that.  It was mentioned earlier in this post that the 246 CCC used the FF liner, but I wasn't sure what that was.  I don't believe Makos have a liner or we must call it something different.

Ray

SO, from what I gather, these boats are A LOT easier to restore than a Mako. If it's the original tank, it's most likely shot.

The floor is most likely soft, the stringers are soaked, and the transom is worm food. But, besides that, SHIP SHAPE!!!

It's fishing machine, and if you can look past the rough, she's going to be sweet.

[GoneFission]

The liner is the molded fiberglass piece that makes up the topside and inside of the boat.  It sits on the hull for side support and the stringers for deck support.  Aquasport hulls are made up of 3 basic sections - hull, stringers, and liner.  Here's an illustration from a 70s vintage ad that shows the hull, liner, and stringers:

[Circle Hooked]

Inner Liner, it's the finished mold thats dropped in over the bare hull, the deck of the boat is part of it along with molded in rod storage ect.

Capt John beat me to it but i like his example better.

[T Race]

Cool boat Ray.  

I'll bet you a tall, frosty PBR that you're gonna be lovin' this boat.    

I already love the boat, so I owe you one!

You're  a'owen'  and  I'm a'drankin'.....   this might be the start of a beautiful relationship !!

[baycrabber]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the descriptions on the liner.  I fully understand now.  I've always called that the cap, but the cap could just refer to the top part and not the deck.  I learned something new.

I have some bad news!  The lady that sold me the boat said that she gave it away to her father's friend.  I'm very disappointed.  I knew there was a catch!  She must have realized that it was worth more than $175.00.

I'm not sure if she can legally do that, since I already paid for it.  She refunded my money through PayPal, but I'd rather have the boat.  Does anyone know if she had the right to resell the boat?

[gran398]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the descriptions on the liner.  I fully understand now.  I've always called that the cap, but the cap could just refer to the top part and not the deck.  I learned something new.

I have some bad news!  The lady that sold me the boat said that she gave it away to her father's friend.  I'm very disappointed.  I knew there was a catch!  She must have realized that it was worth more than $175.00.

I'm not sure if she can legally do that, since I already paid for it.  She refunded my money through PayPal, but I'd rather have the boat.  Does anyone know if she had the right to resell the boat?

Hi,

No telling what she was up to. Welcome to the dark side Found out the hard way that the Golden Rule isn't the first rule when buying boats.

Since the boat was never titled to you...legally, you have no recourse.

But no worries...we'll find you one

[baycrabber]

If found a guy with an Aquasport and a couple of Makos for sale.  I'm setting something up now for this weekend.  I'll be pulling something home this weekend :)  Unfortunately, it isn't my 246 CCC.

Hey guys,

Thanks for the descriptions on the liner.  I fully understand now.  I've always called that the cap, but the cap could just refer to the top part and not the deck.  I learned something new.

I have some bad news!  The lady that sold me the boat said that she gave it away to her father's friend.  I'm very disappointed.  I knew there was a catch!  She must have realized that it was worth more than $175.00.

I'm not sure if she can legally do that, since I already paid for it.  She refunded my money through PayPal, but I'd rather have the boat.  Does anyone know if she had the right to resell the boat?

Hi,

No telling what she was up to. Welcome to the dark side Found out the hard way that the Golden Rule isn't the first rule when buying boats.

Since the boat was never titled to you...legally, you have no recourse.

But no worries...we'll find you one