Aquador 25c

[boatmike]

Downsizing to a "runabout" that I can use for pottering. Not interested in going ultra fast. Want to keep marina fees down to sensible levels and looking for reasonable running costs. Have looked at Merry Fishers, Nexus etc but just saw a little Aquador for sale. Don't like stern drives much but do like the layout otherwise with side doors (excellent) and a decent 170HP Volvo should push it along quite well.
Anyone got one? Know anything about them? I am totally ignorant regarding boats at this end of the size range but at 80 years young I still want to stay afloat. Would a tiddler like this be safe for the occasional channel crossing?

 

[ChromeDome]

Aquador originally was made in Finland, famous for finish, build quality and design. Today part of Nimbus Group, after a few "rearrangements" in the Scandinavian boating industry.

They've been married to Volvo w/sterndrives most of the time, but recently presented outboard versions that look inspired by Bavaria motor boats.

The group now is

 

[DavidJ]

I’m thinking if you don’t like stern drives then this is your opportunity to go outboard.

 

[simonfraser]

MF with outboard likely to be less drive / engine hassle

 

[ChromeDome]

MF with outboard likely to be less drive / engine hassle

Merry Fisher is different to Aquador in many ways, so it may not be a direct competitor.

The outboard being less hassle than drive is true, but that would be for any o/b vs. i/o

 

[ari]

Great little boat, good build quality, very adaptable.

Not sure outboard versions even exist, but I'd take a diesel sterndrive inboard even if they did - quieter, better weight distribution, far more plentiful fuel supply and far lower fuel costs (and I'd add that you might have your own perfectly reasonable reasons for not wanting outdrives which is fair enough, but I would say beware certain popular 'bar room experts' opinions of outdrives on here, they're not grounded in reality).

 

[boatmike]

Well frankly, if I have a dislike for outdrives it is not comparable to my hate of outboards! May not be logical but I really hate the idea of a damn great big tank of petrol on board. I suppose diesel outboard is an option but they are big heavy lumps.
The MFs I have looked at are 805s with inboard diesel through conventional shaft drive. Vastly prefer that. might be persuaded to go up to 9 metres but above that marina fees start to get to silly numbers and I don't need anything bigger Currently Nimbus is top of the list but I saw the little Aquador and liked the design. If it was just a tad bigger I would go for it! Some very nice Nimbus 310s around but they are much more money......... Hmmmmm!

 

[Bat21]

I had a 25c for a 3 or 4 years, great little boat and the KAD 32 is a good reliable engine though if viewing check the sump for rust, they can rust through. They will cruise at 18-20 kts and are economical on fuel, you have to get used to the change from the Supercharger to Turbo, there can be a pause. they are also comfortable at displacement speeds and are very sensitive to trim tab adjustment when on the plane. I'm not a fan of drives either but had no issues though they need regular maintenance. Apparently some early aquador' s where built in Ireland, I understand quality improved when production moved to Bena Venite in Finland. Mine was a Finnish boat.

Happy to answer any questions.
Have you seen this, a little larger but shaft and looks impressive Boat Details - Mark Cameron Yachts - Specialist Sail and Motorboat Brokerage

 

[ChromeDome]

Well frankly, if I have a dislike for outdrives it is not comparable to my hate of outboards! May not be logical but I really hate the idea of a damn great big tank of petrol on board. I suppose diesel outboard is an option but they are big heavy lumps.
The MFs I have looked at are 805s with inboard diesel through conventional shaft drive. Vastly prefer that. might be persuaded to go up to 9 metres but above that marina fees start to get to silly numbers and I don't need anything bigger Currently Nimbus is top of the list but I saw the little Aquador and liked the design. If it was just a tad bigger I would go for it! Some very nice Nimbus 310s around but they are much more money......... Hmmmmm!

Then do the obvious: Diesel on shafts.

If it's good enough for Mærsk it certainly will do for you and me (and the majority of other boaters), although our's probably won't need to be with a 120m shaft

 

[boatmike]

This was not meant to be a dissertation of shaft drive versus outdrives or outboards. Frankly shaft drive is obviously best but I concede that outdrives if maintained properly can have advantages. my question is under 9 metres what should I buy? I don't want a "sportboat" with lots of canvas tops, I prefer shaft drive but will consider outdrives. I prefer a "sedan" roof to a flybridge and while planeing is fun I am not a speed freak. The little Aquador 25C is attractive on paper as they appear to have used most of the length for accommodation rather than a large cockpit. The "galley down" layout gives a big saloon for a little boat and the forepeak looks big enough to sleep 2. Hence my interest.
Thanks Bat21 for your input. Several tips there. How do you think one would fare crossing the channel in say F4 conditions? Would F6 be a problem? Sorry I just don't know the limitations as I have always sailed larger boats!

 

[ChromeDome]

If speed is not a major requirement you don't need to look for planing hull boats.

If you want a boat that can be without canvasses (and may have them as an option), the pesce promemade type migh be worth a look.
Commonly have patio doors to make a cosy cabin when the weather is unfriendly. Most of them have heating too.

Merry Fisher was mentioned, the same manufacturer group (Beneteau) also has the Antares.

From the Nimbus range look for Coupe models (their 28 is similar size to many 25'ers).

 

[Greg2]

Thanks Bat21 for your input. Several tips there. How do you think one would fare crossing the channel in say F4 conditions? Would F6 be a problem? Sorry I just don't know the limitations as I have always sailed larger boats!

Is your experience sail or power, or both? I ask because whilst other factors such as tide and wind direction are also relevant, many mobos won’t venture out in an F6 let alone cross the Channel. Some will of course and my guess is the boat will be capable but it might well be an uncomfortable trip.

Edit: A quick Google revealed a similar post from 2011 - see post #8 for comment on seakeeping - not sure if it is accurate but it appears to be actual experience - Aquador 25c

 

[aquadorman]

I had an Aquador 25c for several years. Nice boat, no probs with outdrive provided you follow the service schedule. KAD 32 was bombproof but putting the alternator beneath the raw water strainer was stupid. Had three alternator rebuilds! However what really let it down for me was the appalling wiring and that the outlet from the septic tank was below the water line, so never completely emptied. Poor design. Plus side was the sliding side doors and safe walk around decks.

 

[[165042]]

Early Aquadors were made in Ireland not Scandinavia. The 25c is a bit cramped and the side-door is tiny. The 170hp KAD32 is also a bit small for the boat. The 26HT feels much bigger and generally has the larger engine option as well for a decent cruising speed.

 

[Bat21]

This was not meant to be a dissertation of shaft drive versus outdrives or outboards. Frankly shaft drive is obviously best but I concede that outdrives if maintained properly can have advantages. my question is under 9 metres what should I buy? I don't want a "sportboat" with lots of canvas tops, I prefer shaft drive but will consider outdrives. I prefer a "sedan" roof to a flybridge and while planeing is fun I am not a speed freak. The little Aquador 25C is attractive on paper as they appear to have used most of the length for accommodation rather than a large cockpit. The "galley down" layout gives a big saloon for a little boat and the forepeak looks big enough to sleep 2. Hence my interest.
Thanks Bat21 for your input. Several tips there. How do you think one would fare crossing the channel in say F4 conditions? Would F6 be a problem? Sorry I just don't know the limitations as I have always sailed larger boats!

I had ours out in a good 5/6, but would not choose to do so, the boat handled it very well the issue being the transition between turbo and supercharger particularly when dealing with rough seas, adjusting speed accordingly quite often you find a sudden loss of power briefly. I saw a comment about them being unstable, they certainly are not however, when plaining at 25 kts, a slip with the trim tabs can make life quite interesting. The rear half of the upper cabin is an aluminium frame with plastic panels so not fully insulated. For regular cross channel trips, the 26 HT which has lots of canvas or the 28 similar to the 25 and sits between the 25 and 32 could be worth a look.

 

[JAH]

Some thoughts for your considerations.

I've had 2011 Aquador 25Ce with D4-300 since last winter. Overall I'm very pleased with her, and the Boss is too. I'm still learning how to trim her on the plane - not easy. The big engine makes her want to fly - quite exciting / scary. Once on the plane she launches off towards her current max 36 knots smartish. She has 12-year-old props, so I expect she'll get to her spec'd 39 knots when they get renewed (bank balance needs to recover first!). At the moment she's not happy between 6 knots and 20 knots, so I'm planning to fit a switch on the supercharger clutch to make 10-12 knots doable (ie not deafening), even if bow-high. She's about 3 inches above her marks at the bow, standing still. I'm also fitting a small water ballast tank in the forepeak, and fences (AKA "winglets") on the trim-tabs, both of which will hopefully help with trim. The big engine with its coarse props makes manoevring tricky - the slightest click into gear lurches her forwards/backwards. She has a bow thruster which gets a lot of use - a stern thruster would be a big help, but seems a bit of an overkill for 25ft - maybe next year. I keep her in a drystack because I don't trust sterndrives to be in saltwater constantly.

Here are some pros and cons of the 25Ce that come to mind - in no particular order -

Advantages (for me) are -
1 - completely walk-around deck with bulwarks is very reassuring - I'm the wrong side of 70;
2 - being able to step over the rail from the side-deck onto the pontoon anywhere along the boat (an unexpected big bonus);
3 - good access via the stern too;
4 - doors both sides - and they are quite big enough for me at 5'9" ;
5 - the whole boat feels very solid and well put together;
6 - no canvas to mess with - just open the doors and go;
7 - two clear roof hatches;
8 - raked back windscreen style that I prefer to the current ubiquitous raked forward style;
9 - people do comment on how well she looks when going at full chat;
10 - fuel consumption 3nm/gallon seems economical to me;
11 - no gas on board - diesel stove is standard
12 - well equipped for its size - bow thruster, screen demister, shore power, diesel heating, hot water, H&C cockpit shower;
13 - two full-size quarter-berths - access too tricky for me, but ideal for grandchildren.

Snags (for me) are -
1 - bow high trim;
2 - props too coarse for smooth close-quarters manoeuvring - my experience is that neighbours' outboards with twice the rev range and therefore lower-pich props don't give that problem (other problems instead);
3 - poor design of (very heavy) engine hatch lifting - I'm working on that now;
4 - limited storage - so I'll be installing more in any wasted spaces;
5 - it's hard to reach the screen inside to clean it - but it has demisters fitted as standard;
6 - it comes with a VP engine that is just riddled with daft engineering design details, and has the supercharger/turbocharger issues;
7 - there's no shelter over the cockpit - and therefore over the engine access - that's fixable I guess, at a price;
8 - the 200 litre fuel tank is a bit small, but does keep the weight down - FW tank is small too;
9 - no shower in the loo;
10 - shortage of portlights;
11 - shortage of cupholders - none fitted as standard!
12 - shortage of handholds inside - I'm working on that too;
13 - ridiculously heavy table;
14 - adding a tender won't help the trim problem;
15 - throttle levers are in a very exposed position, in the stbd door opening - religious use of the neutral lock is important (learned the hard way!).

I used to have a 27ft GRP Bruce Campbell Christina with two TS3 diesels (and prototype sterndrives) that was quite quick, and had similar characteristics - lots of torque and coarse props, because the rev range was so small on those old-school diesels.

I hope some of that is useful, or maybe entertaining. Good luck with your acquisition.

 

[NBs]

Hi

I don't have my own experience aquador 25, but my friend has the boat in question and he considers a 1.5 meter wave as the limit, where the passage is still suitable.

NBs

 

[JAH]

The original builder's certificate for my Aquador 25Ce from the Bella yard in Finland, and the builder's plate on the boat, both say Category "B".

I would say that a significant limitation in terms of the boat's safe use is the single engine and absence of provision for an auxiliary engine. For that reason, I am currently fitting a folding outboard motor bracket on the stern platform. The boat has, as standard, a hinged hatch there that should accommodate it neatly. Beneath that hatch is fitted, as standard, a locker for the optional stern anchor rode, although that anchor is not usually fitted on UK boats.

 

[Elessar]

Downsizing to a "runabout" that I can use for pottering. Not interested in going ultra fast. Want to keep marina fees down to sensible levels and looking for reasonable running costs. Have looked at Merry Fishers, Nexus etc but just saw a little Aquador for sale. Don't like stern drives much but do like the layout otherwise with side doors (excellent) and a decent 170HP Volvo should push it along quite well.
Anyone got one? Know anything about them? I am totally ignorant regarding boats at this end of the size range but at 80 years young I still want to stay afloat. Would a tiddler like this be safe for the occasional channel crossing?

Lots of excellent detailing/quality. Like a sliding door that locks in four different positions from the main handle. Great for a boat of their size.

 

[Farmer Piles]

I have an elderly 32C. Really an upscaled version of the 25. Fantastic build quality and a great boat. Shaft drive rather than leg.