Aquasport 215 DC

[Mulv80]

Anyone have any experience with the Aquasport 215 DC. I'm looking at the pre-2003 models without the euro-transoms. I really like the layout and have read some positive things online, just wondering if you guys have a personal expereince eith this model?

[reelapeelin]

The one on Iboats?...that's a really nice boat...like that layout!!...

[Mulv80]

Reel, which boat on iboats?

[reelapeelin]

http://boats.iboats.com/1998-aquaspo...dc/689554.html

This one...he's right PROUD of it, but I like the boat...looks well cared for and not used much...

[phatdaddy]

if you have a spare motor laying around, here is the mako version

http://panamacity.craigslist.org/boa/2072138709.html

[captkern]

My cousin has one, a 2000 model. I go out on it all the time. Its a heavy boat with a nice layout. Now for the issues. By far the wettest boat you can ever be on. We actually laugh about it, and are prepared. In any kind of chop, the hull throws it directly at the helm. This is with the tabs set perfectly. The boat needs tabs or its even worse. The wiring is sub par, so plan on rewiring. Aqausport used plastic harness connectors under the deck and console that had no water proof protection, they corroded right up. The in deck wells fill with water constantly, poor design and the lips do not let the water run away. The pumps, washdown and the Y switch to switch the in deck boxes is in a horrible location. Also a real design flaw in the boat is the pie plate hatch in the engine well. The boat sits low, so water always comes in the scuppers in the engine well. If she gets lots of rain, and fills the in deck boxes, and you have a full tank of fuel, the water comes up high enough to cover that pie plate. So if the seal gets bad, water directly poors into the bilge. I have seen this first hand.

All being said it drifts nice, and you feel safe on it. But plan on modifying the items I mentioned. Oh yea, any plastic parts, like cump holders and hook guides, are very cheap and broke very fast. He has had this boat since new, and its now re-powered with a 200HO e-tec. The boat needs allot of HP, so a 225 would be the min. He got the HO for a great price, and it puts out close to the 225, but I would not go any lower.

This is my opinion of the boat, and I have had many hours aboard it.

[Mulv80]

Thanks Capt., man that review has me thinking twice. The boat I'm looking at is a 2000 with a 225 Johnson. I heard about the drainage issues with the fish boxes, this is the first I heard about it being a wet ride. Is it wet all the time or only in certain conditions? What is the top speed with a 200. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

[captkern]

Its wet with a chop, anything over 2'. The hull seems to break the chop too far forward and it throws right at the point where the helm is. Its not a bad riding boat, it doesn't slam. With the 200 your in the middle 30's its not a speed demon, but when running it feels very big. One thing I will give you is the DC set up is great, in fact I want a V-20 DC someday. After fishing with, it is a great layout. You can fix the things I mentioned other than the ride, we re-wired my cousins, this is how I know about the electrical connectors. We removed them all. Seal up the inspection plate in the motor well. The boxes we put a small auto pump. It is a roomy boat. My advice would be to test ride it on a windy day if you could, also get on it and stand in the stern, and see how much water comes into the well. The deck is very solid feeling, and there is allot of storage.

Is the hull Blue? My cousins is blue, and its hard to keep up, but All dark colors are. I know it came in other colors also.

As for the review on the boat, glad I can be helpful. I only comment when I have first hand experience. Hate the "i know a guy, who knew a guy" story's. I have run many many boats, all have there plus and minus, but the one word for that model is wet. We still have allot of fun on it, and it catches fish.

[Airslot]

Mulv,

My Dad had a 1998 215 Explorer, the W/A model. His had a 150 Johnson. The boat was a great boat. Yes, water laid in the fish boxes, but his boat had no other issues, still doesn't with the new owner.

[Mulv80]

I bought the boat, just towed her home last Saturday. Its under shrinkwrap so no point posting pics. I got a pretty good deal and can't wait to open the cover in the spring and get things ready.

Hey Air, hows the Proline treating you? I looked close at them I really like the layout of the 23 cuddy. I trailer and thought the 23' would be a little much for me to handle by myself.