Aquastar Ocean Ranger

[username]

Hello,
Does anyone have an opinion on the Aquastar Ocean Ranger 33. I am thinking of a 91 in very good condition, Volvo d4 engines, reasonable hours, price pretty negotiable and a 12 month warranty. Any general opinions and experiences most welcome.

Thank you.

 

[Firefly625]

Hello,
Does anyone have an opinion on the Aquastar Ocean Ranger 33. I am thinking of a 91 in very good condition, Volvo d4 engines, reasonable hours, price pretty negotiable and a 12 month warranty. Any general opinions and experiences most welcome.

Thank you.

Welcome "username"!

That particular boat has been for sale for some time, it is expensive for the age - reason = 2 new D4's and owners trying to re-cope some of his outgoings, no harm in that. Current owners pretty fastidious and should be a great boat. Been told by a friend who owned one, then had a couple of AS 38's the 33 ft hull can get pushed around a bit in a big following sea, but a nice boat.

Benjenbav of this parish has one (for sale in fact), he will be best to lay comment.

 

[superheat6k]

Number 3 on my (realistic to ever be able to get) wish list, after Corvette 320 then the Aquastar 38. I currently have a Turbo 36 which is really a cross between these semi-displacers that will plane if needed, and fast & fancy Gin palaces. Go for the aft cabin version, once you had an aft cabin you won't want to go to sea without one.

 

[Firefly625]

Number 3 on my (realistic to ever be able to get) wish list, after Corvette 320 then the Aquastar 38. I currently have a Turbo 36 which is really a cross between these semi-displacers that will plane if needed, and fast & fancy Gin palaces. Go for the aft cabin version, once you had an aft cabin you won't want to go to sea without one.

what do you think of this as an alternative to the Aquastar 33. IMO I would buy this over the AS any day... if it had twin cabins, but if you don't need twin cabins... then this is the DB's IMO.


http://www.red-ensign.com/cygnus-cyfish-cy33-pilot

For our purposes we must have 2 cabins in our next boat, so I'm considering a late Corvette 320, but the more I look at them the more unsure I am, I would miss the aft cockpit arrangement, I have a feeling they would have a real lack of storage space as no cockpit lockers etc and I do so love the more workboat look / feel, so I am now just considering going new and either Cygnus Cyfish Pilot or Lochin 333 and ordering a 33 footer, extended wheelhouse with twin cabins, with galley up in the wheel house....

 

[benjenbav]

Welcome "username"!

That particular boat has been for sale for some time, it is expensive for the age - reason = 2 new D4's and owners trying to re-cope some of his outgoings, no harm in that. Current owners pretty fastidious and should be a great boat. Been told by a friend who owned one, then had a couple of AS 38's the 33 ft hull can get pushed around a bit in a big following sea, but a nice boat.

Benjenbav of this parish has one (for sale in fact), he will be best to lay comment.

Like all round-hulls the AS33 is known to roll like a pig! If there is a decent sea on the beam or quarter the motion is quite interesting and yet you soon realise that you feel safe and just get on with it. In a head sea the ride is wet. Aqua-Star added spray rails at some point before mine was built but, suffice it to say, it is sometimes easier to switch off the wipers and just drive on the radar.

I've had mine for nearly seven years and have always felt comfortable that the boat would look after me.

Another bonus is that the boat has a very planted feel in close quarters manoeuvring which makes single-handing very straightforward.

As to engines: mine has Cummins B series lumps which have a huge parts availability owing to their use in a wide range of applications and a long production run.

Like Firefly, I prefer the aft cockpit layout which gives a great outside space and, to my mind, makes the boat feel more like a boat and less like an accommodation unit. But that's a matter of personal preference, I guess.

 

[superheat6k]

what do you think of this as an alternative to the Aquastar 33. IMO I would buy this over the AS any day... if it had twin cabins, but if you don't need twin cabins... then this is the DB's IMO.


http://www.red-ensign.com/cygnus-cyfish-cy33-pilot

For our purposes we must have 2 cabins in our next boat, so I'm considering a late Corvette 320, but the more I look at them the more unsure I am, I would miss the aft cockpit arrangement, I have a feeling they would have a real lack of storage space as no cockpit lockers etc and I do so love the more workboat look / feel, so I am now just considering going new and either Cygnus Cyfish Pilot or Lochin 333 and ordering a 33 footer, extended wheelhouse with twin cabins, with galley up in the wheel house....

The front half is nice, but for me must have an aft cabin. The helm is quite far forward. Looks to me it was intended for offshore fishing.

On my turbo Fairline provided four good size deck lockers, I can't remember what Corvette provide for the necessary ropey bits. I do recall a massive storage locker beneath the lower helm area, forward of the engines.