1986 Aquasport 170

[evanrolltide]

Hello all.

I have a 1996 165 Striper with a 48 spl johnson I use in Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is a good boat, but for a while now I have been wanting something that would open up more gulf fishing to me. I'd stay fairly near shore, but being a little more comfortable going to the closer rigs would really be great.

Right now I am limited by $$ and my tow vehicle, an i6 grand cherokee.

A 1987 170 with a 2002 yamaha 115 2 stroke showed up on my CL locally. Looks clean, 130 hrs on engine, rebuilt in 2010.

Cons: no electronics that I can see and no live well.

What is the opinion on these boats? The price is 5800, but I'd probably offer a little less since that is out of my price range. Do you think this will be a significant enough upgrade in boat to meet my needs?

Thanks,

Evan

[RickK]

Hi Evan and welcome aboard.
The 165 is a pretty shallow boat if I remember right - low gunnels, correct?  The 170 will have a little higher gunnels and the layout/liner should be a little different. The seat in front of the console as usually a baitwell - maybe not.  We have a ton of members that have that vintage 170 and they should pipe up shortly.
Can you post some pics of the 165?

[pete]

Welcome aboard Evan,glad to have you with us!Those 165s are pretty small,the 1987 170 would give you some more range as well as higher freeboard,but maybe not as much as you need the 17 fter is still a bay boat,you may want to consider a 20 fter.In the mean while enjoy the great fuel economy of that 48 spl!

[evanrolltide]

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/392865_10150900536270368_844870367_21486702_166362789_n.jpg
Can't post here, too wide.


Very low gunnels.
I'll see if I can find anymore pictures.

I'll have to call and ask but he didn't advertise a live well on the 170. My 165 has the seat cooler behind the cc converted to a livewell.

[pete]

looks like a nice flats boat



 

[Circle Hooked]

Nice boat, Pete We were on the same page, you beat me to it  

[pete]

geat minds think alike!

[evanrolltide]

Unfortunately there isn't much "flats" fishing going on in my neck of the woods!

That's why I'd like a boat better suited for a little bigger water.

[pete]

where is that?

[Circle Hooked]

If I read right your Jeep has an inline 6, that should pull a 20 ft boat without a problem.

[evanrolltide]

where is that?

Mobile Bay. We have mud flats but they aren't like what you have in FL, and I rarely fish them.

[evanrolltide]

If I read right your Jeep has an inline 6, that should pull a 20 ft boat without a problem.

Hmm. I'll have to keep that size in the running. I just haven't seen a 20' boat in my budget.

[pete]

lots of used boats for sale,check craigslist,ebay

[evanrolltide]

I'll keep looking!
I guess the concensus is the 170 isn't big enough to make a real difference?

Part of the appeal of this boat is the relatively newer motor with low hours, which was rebuilt 2 years ago. I am getting tired of constantly working/hanving problems with my old Johnson.

Ad in question
http://mobile.craigslist.org/boa/2848387011.html

[pete]

I am getting tired of constantly working/hanving problems with my old Johnson.

??????

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxVH5sKUlPg