Aquastar 38 - what are they like?

[Colvic Watson]

We’ve widened our search to include the Aquastar 38. We’ve heard lots of good things about build quality but that they roll like a drunken barrel in anything of a beam sea.

Any real world experience and does anyone have one on the East Coast?

Many thanks.

 

[mil1194]

@kawasake - is this your area of expertise? Type of boat - not geographical!

 

[harvey38]

Keep the speed to 12-15 knots and she's fine, anything less and like most boats, it will roll in a heavy beam sea.

They are very well built with a heavy lay up, our 38AC is just over 12 tons so copes well in heavy seas.

 

[benjenbav]

Had a 34 some years ago. Similar hull but shorter (obvs).

I liked it. Solid. Not quick. Rolly and plenty water came over the bow, but always felt like it would keep on going and going long after I’d want to stop.

 

[ianc1200]

Also looking at AQ38's - seem to be three for sale in Southampton at the moment in our price range. I'm on the East Coast too!

As one has KAMD 300's (re-engined in 2002) and our boating would be from NE Essex to Broads/Thames/Holland, then cruising at low revs around rivers for a month or two, am worried the one with KAMD300's wouldn't be suitable after reading this re & oil pressure.

Volvo KAMD 300 - are high hours a concern?

Colvic Watson - I'm tempted to go and have a look at all three middle of next week, don't fancy a joint visit?

Having problems finding out air draft of A38's assuming folding radar arch - I'm guessing 3.3m but will take a tape measure.

 

[harvey38]

Also looking at AQ38's - seem to be three for sale in Southampton at the moment in our price range. I'm on the East Coast too!

As one has KAMD 300's (re-engined in 2002) and our boating would be from NE Essex to Broads/Thames/Holland, then cruising at low revs around rivers for a month or two, am worried the one with KAMD300's wouldn't be suitable after reading this re & oil pressure.

Volvo KAMD 300 - are high hours a concern?

Colvic Watson - I'm tempted to go and have a look at all three middle of next week, don't fancy a joint visit?

Having problems finding out air draft of A38's assuming folding radar arch - I'm guessing 3.3m but will take a tape measure.

What motors do the other two boats have?

 

[ianc1200]

One has 5.9L 6 cyl Cummins, the other advert seems to have disappeared!

 

[ianc1200]

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1994-aquastar-38-8855587/

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1989-aquastar-38-9081315/

 

[harvey38]

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1994-aquastar-38-8855587/

https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1989-aquastar-38-9081315/

I'd forget the 89 model as it doesn't appear to have side doors, the 94 model looks well tidy and a lot of boat for the money.

 

[benjenbav]

Suspect the Cummins blocks will be 6BT - I had these in my AquaStar, marinised by Thornycroft - or the later 6BTA.

Too early for QSB engines.

IIRC the 6cyl B series blocks made 200-310hp depending on spec.

 

[ianc1200]

I'd forget the 89 model as it doesn't appear to have side doors, the 94 model looks well tidy and a lot of boat for the money.

I'd be very interested in how to assess this - my view was the opposite, despite the engine issue the 89' boat at 77k has had a lot of money spent on it in 2022 - teak & holly floor, furnishings, lots of new nav electronics. Engines KAMD 300's from 2002 and 1475 hours. For my downsides are the engines & a teak aft deck. Holding tank noted.

The 94' boat at 85k has not so good furnishings, carpet floor, old/original nav electronic. Engines Cummins 6BTA 370hp with 2900 hours, with it says lots of servicing. Has sagging headlining in back cabin. I believe no holding tank.

Both boats have starboard only side doors.

For me, you'd have to spend 20 - 25k to upgrade the 94' boat re furnishings, floor & electronics, to match the 89' boat. This would put the 94' boat being worth 77 - 25 = 52k but to my mind it has by far the better engines (for at least what I'd want to do). I'm sure any offer on the 94' boat in this region would be dismissed out of hand.

Both boats have been for sale for a long time - the 94' boat at least a year, and the 89' boat at least since October 23'. Both started off at 100k.

Love to know what opinions people have of my valuation - sure it's wrong but Harvey thinks it's a lot of boat for the money.

 

[Colvic Watson]

The ‘89 boat has been for sale for a year with no offers. My view is that ‘80’s boats have reached a tipping point in their value. What percentage of us would look at 70’s boats? If I kept the ‘89 for ten years I’d be selling the equivalent of a 1979 boat. Ouch.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Also looking at AQ38's - seem to be three for sale in Southampton at the moment in our price range. I'm on the East Coast too!

As one has KAMD 300's (re-engined in 2002) and our boating would be from NE Essex to Broads/Thames/Holland, then cruising at low revs around rivers for a month or two, am worried the one with KAMD300's wouldn't be suitable after reading this re & oil pressure.

Volvo KAMD 300 - are high hours a concern?

Colvic Watson - I'm tempted to go and have a look at all three middle of next week, don't fancy a joint visit?

Having problems finding out air draft of A38's assuming folding radar arch - I'm guessing 3.3m but will take a tape measure.

Back at work next week sadly. I think they’re overpriced still. Someone might offer 70k but the older 33 footers sell for <40k now and the 38 footers aren’t worth twice that. Beware of boats bought in 2020-2022 - owners paid vastly inflated prices and have high expectations on value.

 

[harvey38]

I'd be very interested in how to assess this - my view was the opposite, despite the engine issue the 89' boat at 77k has had a lot of money spent on it in 2022 - teak & holly floor, furnishings, lots of new nav electronics. Engines KAMD 300's from 2002 and 1475 hours. For my downsides are the engines & a teak aft deck. Holding tank noted.

The 94' boat at 85k has not so good furnishings, carpet floor, old/original nav electronic. Engines Cummins 6BTA 370hp with 2900 hours, with it says lots of servicing. Has sagging headlining in back cabin. I believe no holding tank.

Both boats have starboard only side doors.

For me, you'd have to spend 20 - 25k to upgrade the 94' boat re furnishings, floor & electronics, to match the 89' boat. This would put the 94' boat being worth 77 - 25 = 52k but to my mind it has by far the better engines (for at least what I'd want to do). I'm sure any offer on the 94' boat in this region would be dismissed out of hand.

Both boats have been for sale for a long time - the 94' boat at least a year, and the 89' boat at least since October 23'. Both started off at 100k.

Love to know what opinions people have of my valuation - sure it's wrong but Harvey thinks it's a lot of boat for the money.

I only skimmed through photos
Ours is an '87 boat and I see beyond cosmetics as we've ploughed through and upgraded most of it. I'm not a fan of Volvo engines so Cummins would get my vote and as you say, they've been on sale for a long time, no harm on a cheeky offer to test the market.

Maybe I should get a beer, read the spec. and review

 

[ianc1200]

Many thanks for thoughts! My inclination is to leave for a couple of months and then see if the owner of the 94' one with Cummins will drop his price to say 55k. He's owned her for 18 years it seems.

 

[Colvic Watson]

Many thanks for thoughts! My inclination is to leave for a couple of months and then see if the owner of the 94' one with Cummins will drop his price to say 55k. He's owned her for 18 years it seems.

I agree with the strategy. My feeling is the price should start with a 5.

 

[Greg2]

Many thanks for thoughts! My inclination is to leave for a couple of months and then see if the owner of the 94' one with Cummins will drop his price to say 55k. He's owned her for 18 years it seems.

Why not view and if you like it seek to negotiate a notably lower price? Make a reasoned case to the Broker and see what reaction you get. Worth bearing in mind that £55k would be a very low price and perhaps too optimistic but there is a lot of negotiating room between that and the current £85k asking price.

On a separate note definitely give the KAMD 300’s a swerve…..never understood why some builders sometimes put those and the KAMD44s in semi-displacement boats such as the Aquastar.
.

 

[harvey38]

We bought a mechanically and structurally sound boat but being a 1987 model, was cosmetically dated. We agreed on a very sensible price and has taken four years to get her pretty much where we want her.

We spent far too much on her, synthetic teak deck and coach roof, a 16" chart plotter MFD, a 9" chart plotter MFD for the upper helm, a further two MFDs to display engine data, chose expensive fabric and foam to replace all of the upholstery etc etc etc

We will never get our money back when sold but we have enjoyed every step of the journey (quite often uphill) and it has taught me new skills and forced me to tackle jobs I would have never even contemplated before.

Every boat is a compromise - purchase price, layout, engines, how much effort/time/expense you are prepared to add to bring it up to match your needs.

I would go and look at both both boats, even if you don't buy one, at least you see how spacious and airy they are, I never envisaged we would own an Aquastar, we had our heart set on a Corvette 32!

Good luck on your purchase and please keep us posted

 

[oldgit]

is an aquastar oceanranger hull as good as a nelson hull

 

[ianc1200]

Thanks oldgit, very interesting to read.