Aquador 23HT - advice required

[Nautorius]

Hi all,

After a complete change mind from SWMBO who has decided our next boat should be a day boat for all seasons with occasional overnighting (wants another sprog!), we are having to consider alternate boats. We have had cuddys then a 23ft Sportscruiser, a 24ft sports cruiser and now a 28ft sportscruiser.

I have always liked the Aquadors and have been offered a clean 2003 23Ht with Kad 32. It has three permanent berths and a double under canopy and I feel fits the bill. We normally cruise with us two and a two year old but occasionally have my nine year old in Tow. Will be predominantly used on the Thames with blasts round to the solent in the Summer.

Pros as I see are quality, resale & depreciation, hard top (no fafing with loads of covers), single diesel economy and cost, nice finish, sociable cockpit, bow exit from cabin for safety and trailerable (cheaper to have it moved around).

Cons, Difficult to helm standing up (without putting head through roof), Small galley under port seat, small heads with no sink, Hard top on Thames? no walk through transom. No shore power but twin batteries. much smaller....

This is the model built in Finaland for quality and has blue hull, blue covers and blue alcantara.

So what is your opinion. I can swop for same cash payments as current boat, it is much smaller but is more economical to run and own. It is also a Cat C and licensed for 6 people so day guests no problem. I suppose our priorities have changed financially and a smaller boat makes more sense for now. Will it be a wrench from spoortscruisers?

All opinions greatly appreciated.

Paul

 

[stefan_r]

just for interest I have seen a 2002 model (I think) in Ireland (advertised as a 22HT which might just be a typo - it looks identical to the 23HT) for EUR37,000-sure a deal could be done nearer the EUR30,000 mark and at 1.45/GBP you're talking about £20-25,000.

I know the Irish built boats were supposed to have quality problems but it seems cheap...are the quality issues nothing a few weekends DIY wouldn't fix??? I assume so, they use the same moulds etc in Finland after all so it's the same boat....

PM me if you want some more details and I will see if I can dig out the advert....

 

[jhr]

I think they're extremely nice - and the 26HT even more so /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.

We were moored next to a 23 in Yarmouth last August and the owner had been all over the place - Channel Islands, France, and all along the South Coast, from his base in Poole, usually just him and his SWMBO. I think it was the actual boat that was featured in a MBM owner's report/long term test a while back.

He was full of praise for the boat and said that he'd never had a moment's worry. Yes, you will probably miss the wind- (and spray) in-your-hair experience of a sports boat, but I still reckon you'll have bags of fun. If I ever have any money again, it will almost certainly be my next step up from our current 22 ft sport cuddy.

I've heard dire (and probably unfair) remarks about the Irish built version. Whether the criticisms are fair or not, it's plainly impingeing on their resaleability, as Stefan's post demonstrates. Avoid.

 

[Nautorius]

Cheers Stefan,

I have come accross that one and it smells fishy! They need to get rid and I think there are outstanding warranty items with it.

Cheers anyway

paul

 

[Nautorius]

Cheers,

That is what I have heard, and I accept all boats are a compromise. After the costs of owning and running a twin petrol I am sure ownership will be a much more pleasant experience. It is also easier to get down to Solent for summer Hols,
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I have been all over including channel Islands in a 21ft cuddy so would have no fear in the Aquador with it's enclosed cockpit and longer length. Got to admit I wanted the 26Ht as well but at double the price I could not justify it yet. Also having never had an enclosed cockpit I need to find out if we like it before blowing a lot of cash on a bigger version....

/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gifPaul

 

[jimduncan1]

Paul,

We have a 23HT and are very pleased with it. I don't mind helming through the roof hatch as it hasn't been a problem however for your SWMBO it could be a problem if her height is around the 5' mark as the hatch opening aligns with the dental work - if you catch my drift.

Excellent handling, very well finished, hits 30 kts with clean bottom. Heads a bit low designed for the vertically challenged so you'll want to check that - also the v berth has low headroom - however this was improved from the 2004 model. The cockpit area is very nice although we generally we don't use the table.

I would clearly buy another Aquador, the 26HT would be great but there is a big difference in price. The boats manufactured 2000 and before in Ireland had some minor problems as I understand but mightn't prevent a purchase at the right price. We also have a KAD 32 which only problem was a belt tensioner. There generally aren't that many for sale and although I live in Ireland I bought my boat in the UK.

All in all I think it's a fine boat, feel free to let me know if you have any other questions or want to gauge price etc.


Best of luck with your decision. Regards,
Dave

 

[big_si]

Shelley and I looked at the 23, but thought the cabin was not as solid as we would have hoped, a bit hollow almost.

We have a walk-through transom and i think you dont realise how useful it is until you have one.

Though the idea of a hard top is a big draw!!

 

[jonnybuoy]

FWIW I have the Aquador 23DC (open top). It's my first boat so cannot offer any comparison but I have been pleased to bits with it. I've had instructors on board who were also very complementary about the boat's handling and performance. It is a Finnish built one not Irish. Can't make any observation about the hardtop but IMHO the underlying boat itself is just great.

Jon

 

[stefan_r]

No worries!!!!! Just saw an ad for it in the back of a mag a while back and I thought - bit cheap: bargain or bucket!!??

Was seriously thinking of buying a 23HT myself a while back but shade over budget.

Good luck!!!

 

[Nautorius]

Cheers Dave,

That is great. SWMBO's main worry is space after our current boat but I remember it feeling quite airy. Is the Hardtop more of a benefit than a hinderance? My only concern revolves around any inherant issues, but except for the diesel cooker I am yet to find one (unless you know of things to check out). One issue is how do you go on without shorepower. Given only the Fridge and lights works off battery power I don't foresee a massive problem and it is twin battery.

Ironically SWMBO is 5ft exactly and so she will be keeping her self on the rear seat with a G&T in her hand. What do you think of the storage? Is it quite good for the size of boat. And lastly do you have a tender on Snap davits, if so what size and where do you keep the o/b.

Sorry for the thousand questions,

Cheers

Paul

 

[Nautorius]

Thanks John,

They are the same boat less some fibreglass and 100kg. Great to hear about the handling, that is what I was lead to believe. How do you go on if more than 3 people are on board? Is it a bit cramped?

Cheers

Paul

 

[jonnybuoy]

The seating area at the back is very roomy, plenty of room for 5 to sit round the table no probs.I'm not sure if that seating area is compromised with the hard top though.

 

[jimduncan1]

Paul,

Sorry for the delay in replying, combination of Bank holiday weekend here and good weather so we've been out on the water.

I find the hardtop a huge benefit in allowing us to use the boat throughout the year and for that extra airy feel the canopy comes off fairly easily. We have been out in wet conditions where others stay tied up in the Marina.

We've never had the luxury of shorepower but haven't needed it either except for using a portable inverter to run the portable dvd.

Storage wise it's pretty good, bulk storage under the corner seats aft, along the v-berth floor (stepped so it's flat storage) and under the v-berth seats. Only two drawers in the cabin so that's limited but we only have junk in there.

Tender storage is certainly a downside - given the transom size/design only option would be to store vertically which we haven't done too awkward to manage. You could store on bow also a problem for us as we use forward hatch to put out and pull in fenders.

One thing to check which I forgot to mention is engine cover - older boat engine hatch opens towards cabin which is awkward to work around also puts a strain on the cover so if you have that type look for grazing cracks along the bend. Perhaps you will be lucky as newer models open towards the transom which is better access and no strain.

Feel free to write back with any additional questions or pm if you like. If you happen to be in Dublin before you decide to buy you'd be more than welcome to come out for a spin from Malahide Marina.

Regards, Dave

 

[duncan]

Paul - pm whisper re this model etc if he doesn't spot the thread first.

he bought new via denmark I believe and was extremely pleased re service, price and the boat from what I gather.

 

[Nautorius]

Thanks dave,

Great Info. It is a late 2003 model so has the hatch opening towards the stern. I crawled all over her and was mighty impressed (all lockers lined, all seacocks visible, all wiring neat). The only Issues were that the Teak and Holly flooring in the cockpit is scratched to hell and a small tear on the back seat back (easily sorted). So I am going for it, and she will be mine subject to survey. Best part is that it is coming from essex so got 3 months engine and drive warranty just in case. Now I just need a few new toys.....and my old flares were out of date (by 3 years..oops). I get her in 10 days all being well and you will find me somewhere around the rivcer Crouch, then tidal Thames then chugging up the non-tidal...and I have only ever been down before so a first time for everything.

BTW, Did you get the windscreen cover or have one made up?

Cheers

Paul

 

[Nautorius]

Cheers Duncan,

I think he has the 25, will check it out.

paul

 

[jimduncan1]

Paul,

Delighted to hear you've made the plunge and with such a new boat I'm sure all will go well with the survey so you'll soon be a member of the Aquador following.

We've been happy with ours and it's a good solid boat as I mentioned before if we were getting another boat the 26HT would be my first choice for the extra headroom and beam.

I don't have the windscreen cover so you'll have to let me know how you get on with it. Glad to hear you have the aft opening engine hatch so at least the engine checks will be easier (and more often ).

As you're coming from petrol the diesel engine will be a big bonus but get a little familiar with single drive for maneouvering.

Best of luck with the survey. Regards, Dave

 

[whisper]

OH NO HE DIDN'T!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Sorry for not joining in earlier but am currently "on tour" in the US of A.
Actually bought a Ryds 23 from Denmark which we made a decent profit on when we sold it after a year.
I'd personally prefer the Walk Around rather than the HT Aquador as I found the "poking one's head through the roof" scenario likely to be painful in rough water. Like the marque a lot but decided that the Botnia 25 was a better boat for us at the moment.