Sub 24ft Hardtops

Aquadors are all weather sports boats with Deep V hulls
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not sure what counts as deep V, but I thought the Aquadors were actually a bit flatter than you might think?
 
Paul,
While I acknowledge the fin build boat is excellent , some of the Irish built ones have given major problems , I owned one.
 
[ QUOTE ]
How do you tell the difference between the Fin and Irish?

Cheers.

[/ QUOTE ]

Happened me once. I was at a restaurant and the foreign waiter came up and asked "Are you finnish?"

I replied: "No, i'm Irish"

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Hi
I can understand you looking at a Aquador, I think they have the lines right, you just have to stand back, look at it and it seems to tick all the boxes, well that's what I thought until I went on one. I am 5'7" in height (not very tall) and I could not stand up in the toilet compartment, a friend of mine who has a 23 HT has to kneel to go to the loo (it is a bloke by the way!). As Nautorius stated about the windscreen motors, I seriously dented my head on one. I also went on the 26 as I really do like the looks of these boats but I just could not live with the cabin layout, (cockpit is OK) remembering the crew consisted of SWMBO and 2 small children. The only way forward is to go on one because you are really the only person who can decide, as I have mentioned before my friends have one and they, as a couple go all over the place in it.
I would however question the quote from Nautorius about it being as good as a S28 regarding handling.
I am prepared for a comment (or 2) on the last statement!!

Steve
 
The hull id number will give it away , perfix on mine ,was ,IRL............2000 as year of manufacture , ie uk boat should be GB......... 09 as year of building , in any case
if you find one you like , a good survey will tell the tale . I got mine new so did not get a survey.
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I think you are missing the point. Nautorious described the accomodation on the 23HT as a cuddy, and thats exactly what it is. If you are comparing the cuddy area then its more like a Rinker 232 cuddy rather than a Sealine S24 pocket cruiser.

I stayed with Nautorious for a couple of nights during SBS, it was OK but I wouldnt have liked to stay much longer (he ran out of beer !!) . You are right about the toilet, I couldnt even shut the door properly. But it was a great quality boat, and despite ice on the decks, it was warm, cozy and felt safe even when it got a bit choppy.

As a day boat or occasional weekender I thought it was superb.
 
All Aquadors after Feb 2002 were finnish built. The later 2001 and early 2002 are still Ok as they were supervised by the Finns. Before that they are not very good.

As I said all along. The Cabin is a big cuddy, will but is the compromise you make for a boat that is soo acomplished in other areas! I sold mine to go much bigger (34ft) then lost my job and ended up with a cheaper day boat. I would have one as a day boat tomorrow!

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Mark
I was hoping I didn't give the wrong impression with my reply. I really like the lines of the 26HT, it had good write ups and I actually went to SBS 2001 to look at buying one with the deposit money in my pocket (actually it was in my rucksack) but I just couldn't accept the forward cabin/cuddy layout (I think it was that folding ladder) and the toilet compartment but everything else was great. So greatly disapointed I wandered along the pontoon and saw the Sealine S28 and the rest they say is history.
 
Thanks for the info guys, I understand no boat in this bracket will be perfect, but seems to come out shining in most aspects especialy handleing, build quality and general comfort, which is good.

Were hopefully off to see one or two this weekend, if all's well then we just need to find a home for our currentl Sealine 210.
Will post my thoughts next week for anyone elses interest after viewing.

All boats we're concidering are 2002-2003 so hopefully won't come accross the early build issues mentioned.

I don't think i've ever had a boat where I can stand up in the head (even if it' been below a berth in the cuddy of our past sports or sailing boats) - What a luxury for those that can! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I posted a similar thread a couple of weeks back and after the helpful pointers decided that the 23HT seemed to tick all the right boxes. Obviuosly that is without seeing one in the flesh but I am seriuosly considering going to see one now!
 
Trying, I like the 23HT, but going from your current boat you'll be swapping great accommodation for better sea keeping. The Aquador will feel very small after the 2455.
 
Neale,

That was what I was interested to know, how the 23HT compares to our 2455.

I just really see the advantages of a hardtop sports cruiser given the country I live and boat in!
 
I have had experience of both these boats, we had a Bayliner 2651 in the early 90's (Integral bathing platform version of the 2455) and I spent a lot of time on Nautorious's 23HT.

They are chalk and cheese. The Bayliner has tardis like interior, shower and toilet and its possible for a Family to live happily on one for extended periods. It has OK build quality, cheap finishes and feels quite light and fragile in anything over F3. But they are a great boat for the money.

Aquador 23HT. Great room under the Hardtop, and big kitchen. Small cuddy type cabin, room for 3 but no standing headroom. No shower in the toilet and very limited room. But well built, nice finish lots of teak and stainless, feels solid and comfortable even when it gets really lumpy. Overnight or weekend would be maximum for a family.
 
As promised, my POV on the Aquador.

We finally managed to go and view one this weekend, I'll comment on the make and model rather than the specific boat we viewed.

Overall impressions were it was a well built quality boat ideal for a couple or day/overnight small family. Although I appreciate the more sports (S23 etc...) models may have more cabin space, the cockpit makes up for this slight loss, but as we don't have kids, I'm only guessing!

I'm 6.2ft can stand up just in the cockpit bewteen the two pilot seats, but not in the small aft raised section by the stern of the HT. and couldn't sit up in the cabin.

Lack of midship bowcleats is a bit of a downer, along with the lack of Bowroller and central cleat caused by the forward opening anchor locker, although I'm aware this can be modified.

Alot of the internal fixtures were pitted with green corossion, mainly light fittings and draw push/pull buttons.

Good access to engine compartment (for this size of boat).

Lack of storeage for fenders. Twin lockers/boarding ladder, prevent ideal mounting of fender basket on P or S stern.

Heads was shallow from hull to door.

Otherwise overall impressed and actively persuing this model as it seems to suit our needs, but will depend on more detailed costs etc.. of the actual boat we are pursing at the moment. - we're a Solent based couple who mainly use our current boat for day/weekends and occasionally more.

Although do understand for those who appreciate their cabin space why the sports boat style boats of this size are more appealing, for us the HT overcomes with it being more usefull more of the year, but then we live 12/15 mins from our mooring, so are more likely to use it year round than those that travel.

Thanks for all your input, some good points raised to be aware of when viewing.

Will let you know if we actually manage to get one! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Hi Moonshiners,

Glad you liked it. Just too let you know that Aquador made a modification on the AQ23HT in 2004 which lowered the rear part of the floor between the rear seats so it is full height all the way under the HT. My 2003 did not have ir but the ones I did see with it were a big improvement.

If you want to PM me the details of the boat I will tell you what it is actually worth!

Cheers

Paul /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
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