Timeless Classics – November/December 2017

Aquasport 286/290

A Gem of an Inshore Fishing Platform

By Scott Shane

Aquasport Boats, founded in 1967, is credited with launching the modern-day center console. In the decades since, Aquasport has continued to energize the fishing scene with new and innovative designs. The 286 Express Fisherman was launched as Queen of the Fleet in 1982. The 29-footer sat atop a dry and soft-riding deep-V hull. The solid and well-balanced design, with serviceable amenities, has endured through the years and continues to have a strong base of believers.

My first recollection of the Aquasport brand dates to the late 1960s when our neighbor, my dad’s closest friend Artie, dumped his family-oriented, Formula Thunderbird for an Aquasport. The Formula Thunderbird was similar to the park ranger’s boat on the TV series “Flipper.” Artie’s family didn’t gravitate to the water, so he decided it was all-out fishing time and he purchased this incredibly long, open boat with a console in the middle and a single, big outboard secured to the open transom. If ever there was a boat with a mission, it was that new, barebones design. Today’s center consoles have certainly morphed into something way more than those original founding fathers could possibly have imagined.

The 286/290 Aquasport Express was produced until 1990. The builder didn’t re-create the wheel by adding too much other than what was needed to build an effective and well thought out fishing/cruising platform. The cockpit area is an uncluttered 120 square feet with two in-sole fish boxes. The gunnels are more than thigh-high, offering stellar security and comfort.

There’s a step up to the helm deck. Captains appreciated the height of the starboard-side helm seat with tackle storage. A companion seat has storage within and the addition of a livewell. Pilots of all vertical categories had a full look at the horizon thanks to the raised helm deck, placement of the windshield and level ride of the 290 Express.

“Our Aquasport, Prime Time, was a 1988 powered by twin 260-hp inboard Mercruisers,” said Ken Schott, Big Game Fishing Journal’s advertising director.

“It was a great boat for inshore tuna and sharking; she was a good running boat that cruised around 22 knots. The hull performed well, even in choppy sea conditions. Its cockpit was very large for a 29-footer. The full tower with controls made it easy to eyeball the trolling spread from up top,” Schott said.

Gas engines were the only options and were either Crusaders or Mercruisers with horsepower options to 340. Most boats were produced with 260-hp small-block engines that pushed the Express to a 20-knot cruise. The fuel tank capacity was a respectable 300 gallons, but fuel efficiency back then was not what is standard today.

“We did a couple canyon trips, but came back on fumes because of the gas motors and their limited range. We considered a repower to diesel, but it wasn’t very cost effective. The one real drawback of the Aquasport was that limited range if you wanted to run 70 to 80 miles offshore,” Schott said.

Robert Lospennato currently runs Lotta Changes out of Point of Pines Yacht Club in Revere, MA.

His 1986 Express has a set of the Crusader engines. It has one new engine and one rebuild; he loves the boat so much he’s going to replace the rebuild with a new engine.

The engines are set beneath the raised helm deck and both he and Schott agree that access to service the inboard parts of the engines is easy, but for the outboard it’s a real chore to get to the plugs and other components.

“You pretty much need to be a contortionist when it’s time to service; the space is confined and it’s especially tough trying to reach the outboard starters.”

“Other than that, there’re not many express boats that are perfect for the single-handled fishing I do. The outriggers are easily accessible and the deck is wide open,” Lospennato said.

The hull is a deep-V, yet still affords enough interior headroom and great accommodations. The 11-foot beam translates well below deck, affording a comfortable cabin for a boat of this type.

It’s a three-step drop to the cabin. There’s a reasonably sized galley to port with a sink, a two-burner electric stove, microwave oven and refrigerator. A dinette table is center line, but it’s a snug fit in the cabin when the table is in place. Lospennato has removed his. The berths on either side are upper and lowers, so four people have separate berths. The head is starboard side with standard features, ample cabinets and a sizeable shower. Aquasport built in bountiful storage for gear and rods.

From all accounts, the layout and construction of the hull and decks was top notch from the beginning. The fiberglass remains structurally sound and, if owners were on top of their maintenance, little spider cracking has occurred.

The deck can be unfastened for changing out fuel tanks, as was done on Lotta Changes. In fact, since that boat is pretty much relegated to fishing for stripers and blues in the bays and harbors around Boston, Lospennato had smaller tanks fabricated as replacements.

Aquasport outfitted the 290 Express with a slew of standard features. Air conditioning was an option as was a 6.5kW Kohler gas generator.

The builder offered a cruising layout with additional seating and a Tournament Master for the fishermen. A tackle and rigging station with 30-gallon livewell and circulating pump, sink and tackle storage were bundled in the latter arrangement. The Tournament Master also included Lee outriggers, coaming bolster, electronic boxes, freshwater washdown and full tower with upper-station controls.

“Overall, my 290 was a good little express boat that fished and ran well,” Schott said.

The Aquasport 286/290 Express Fishermen is a solid contender for inshore fishermen with a skinny budget.