Aquastar 80

[Tank]

 

[jfm]

Wow, that's some machine. Thanks for pics Tank. Interesting props - 7 blades. Also interesting hull shape, sort of double/stepped chine. The owner has specced many wood panels; it seems a pretty unique boat. What's happening with the 4 guardrails on the swim platform - they look a bit random?

 

[MedMilo]

Great bit of kit...looks like there's at least 2 meters below the water line. They are great boats but seem to depreciate at quite a rate (the topic of a recent thread). A 4 or 5 year old one must be a good buy (goodbye £1m!) they're pretty bomb proof I reckon - 5 watertight bulkheads, hull's got a nice deep forefoot, un-stressed engines, great outdoor/deck spaces, loads of room generally. Lovely! Just a shame the lovely old boy who owns Aquastar...Geoff wotsit...insists on writing his own ads Thanks for the pics.

 

[Tank]

I had a quick word with the boss Geoff Wilson, tried to get out of him whose boat it was, would only say a locally based businesman and to confirm that she had twin 1000hp caterpillers
Tank

 

[MedMilo]

Cat 1000's...interesting choice and not uncommon for Aquastar to fit biggish engines. On the basis that diesels last longest if they run at 80% rpm for 80% of the time I think I'd opt for smaller engines that are running a bit harder at displacement speed. With 2x1000hp I expect they'll be running at around 900rpm to achieve the Aqua 80's 12 knot displacement speed, so only around 40% of wot. And I'd wager that's the speed owners of these boats travel at for 80% of the time. By comparison I expect Nordhavn would fit a single 600hp or similar into one of their 80 footers...albeit they're obviously full displacement so are never trying to/able to go beyond 12 knots or so. A couple of 6/700hp's might well be a better bet I reckon. Must remember that when I get mine

 

[MapisM]

Interesting props - 7 blades. Also interesting hull shape, sort of double/stepped chine.

I've often seen such kind of props on big, heavy and slow(ish) boats.
Pretty expensive, but more efficient - so I was told, at least.
Re.the hull instead, I really can't see any reason for it.
Sounds like an easy way to correct the hull displacement astern, filling up the mould with such steps after the first sea trials...
I know, I should duck for cover now, also because I know nothing about the builder and I'm just guessing.
But I've seen these things - and worse - happening in other yards.
If anyone see a functional reason for such stepped chine, I'll gladly accept to be served my humble pie for a late dinner.

 

[kcrane]

Just a shame the lovely old boy who owns Aquastar...Geoff wotsit...insists on writing his own ads

Couldn't agree more, they're dreadful. I'm tempted to offer a copywriter free of charge just to avoid having to read them ( I know, I don't have to read them, but they draw me in with a morbid fascination to see what they've put this time! )

 

[kcrane]

Re.the hull instead, I really can't see any reason for it.
Sounds like an easy way to correct the hull displacement astern, filling up the mould with such steps after the first sea trials...

It took me a while to work out what you meant, but I reckon you are right, and I'm not often wrong, so no humble pie for you!

BTW, I know absolutely nothing about hull design, but I know a lot about retro-fixing problems I create myself by not spending time on planning, so I recognise it when I see it!

 

[MapisM]

Must remember that when I get mine

I agree with all your thoughts.
I'd just suggest to include the stabilizers in the things to remember.
It's amazing that a boat like that can be specced with no stabs these days...

 

[Tank]

I agree with all your thoughts.
I'd just suggest to include the stabilisers in the things to remember.
It's amazing that a boat like that can be specced with no stabs these days...

She has stabilisers, they are not fitted to the hull for the road journey, they were fitted prior to the launch
Tank

 

[MedMilo]

I can't really see that from the photo that there aren't any stabs but if you're right, that IS amazing! Possibly even dangerous.The CG on that boat is fairly high (aft cabin, huge flybridge, lumpy radar arch) so in a big beam sea at displacement speed it'll roll around like a good'n. I remember and old stab-less Trader 75 sea trial (sorry for mentioning Trader!) and it rolled so much that the journo thought the boat was not fit for purpose and shouldn't have been built! And anyway, one of the many joys of an Aquastar 80 would be the ability to just potter along quietly at 12 knots, ploughing through anything and everything without not spilling your tea/G&T! I'll add stabs to my spec list right now!

 

[MedMilo]

Ah yes, now seen the pics on the other (4!) threads and there aren't stabilisers but Tank says they're fitted just prior to launch. Thinking about it, I'm pretty sure I recall them being fitted as standard on the big Aquastars.

 

[Tank]

There are two stabiliser mountings coming out of the hull just under the first large saloon window on each side of the boat, in the photo's they could look like supports from the trailer
Tank

 

[Tank]

Stabilisers on the Aquastar 80

Just under the chine under the first large saloon window

 

[MapisM]

in the photo's they could look like supports from the trailer

Indeed! Spotted now, thanks.

 

[Neil_Y]

Nice pictures but you missed the rope cutters!