1974 Aquasport 222 Rebuild Captain Joe

[Capt.Joe]

I hate to say it but I don't think cutting grooves in the stringers to level the fence post risers is a great idea. I'd be concerned about the fence post ledges cutting down into the foam. Sure you have 'glass to hold them in place, but glass is not excellent in compression. Furthermore, that glass to PVC bond is less than full strength. I hope I'm wrong and you'll likely never have an issue, but I felt the need to say something in case anyone else wants to adopt this method of raising the floor.

Thickened epoxy was placed in the voids before the fence post was put in place.
The port side is pretty flush with the entire stringer. As for the starboard side toward the front, its a bit higher. Ill add supports underneath now that I have the chance to reinforce it. Thank you for your input!

[Capt.Joe]

Today I finished glassing my forward locker and just have to sand apply a second coat of gelcoat to the inside.

Last week I used thickened epoxy to lock the bulkheads in and today I finished tabbing them to the hull. A 10’ 3/4” piece of pvc goes through the bulkheads to the front of the boat so any water that pools up had a place to go. I plan on foaming the empty gaps toward the front and leaving the last bulkheads toward the back act as fish boxes.

My tank coffin is also epoxied in but I have to finish adding neoprene and test fitting the tank so I can finally secure it down.

Moving along and just going for it.

[RickK]

Nice clean workmanship 

[Hooked-On-Shenanigans]

Capt. Joe, Nice work! How far forward is your fuel tank going to sit? How far from the transom is the back of the tank bulkhead? I am trying to figure out dimensions for mine as I plan on having a tank made this week. Keep up the good work!

[Capt.Joe]

Capt. Joe, Nice work! How far forward is your fuel tank going to sit? How far from the transom is the back of the tank bulkhead? I am trying to figure out dimensions for mine as I plan on having a tank made this week. Keep up the good work!

Thank you! My fuel tank will sit right where the floor meets the upper deck. That might be a little too far forward considering it’s a 55gal tank, but I’ll take my chances.

My tank coffin is 55” long from the front of the deck to the coffin bulkhead. This bulkhead would be 110” (9.2’) or so from my transom.

[Hooked-On-Shenanigans]

Capt.Joe, Thank you sir for those measurements! I am working on getting a tank made now. Looking like mine will be 22x9x55 giving around 50 gallons, like yours. Are you concerned about weight distribution being too far forward? That has been my #1 concern going forward with my project.  I know the orig tank was huge and sat more towards the stern/ over the console.

[Capt.Joe]

Capt.Joe, Thank you sir for those measurements! I am working on getting a tank made now. Looking like mine will be 22x9x55 giving around 50 gallons, like yours. Are you concerned about weight distribution being too far forward? That has been my #1 concern going forward with my project.  I know the orig tank was huge and sat more towards the stern/ over the console.

I was on the verge of buying a custom tank but found one that fits just right. Though I have my concerns about weight my hope is that the boat will draft and sit better in the water. A motor, 38 gallon livewell, and a couple of people should offset my tank placement.

The flotation foam I’m going to add could help with the weight as well. I look forward to seeing the rest of your build!

[Hooked-On-Shenanigans]

I've had bad luck trying to find a used tank so i think at this point i am just going to go new custom. I agree I think with all that added weight it should balance out, suppose worst case moving the  batteries to the transom area for more offset.

Thanks! I should have some new pics posted sometime this week on mine.

The flotation foam will help a lot! Are you planning on filling any of the bulkheads on the sides/ bow or are they all going to have hatches for storage space?

[Capt.Joe]

I've had bad luck trying to find a used tank so i think at this point i am just going to go new custom. I agree I think with all that added weight it should balance out, suppose worst case moving the  batteries to the transom area for more offset.

Thanks! I should have some new pics posted sometime this week on mine.

The flotation foam will help a lot! Are you planning on filling any of the bulkheads on the sides/ bow or are they all going to have hatches for storage space?

I’m filling the first 8’ (the first two bulkhead compartments) with flotation foam. I may add foam under the forward deck, but not sure yet. Anything to deaden vibration and absorb unwanted wave energy is my reason behind the foam.

The rear bulkheads will be fish boxes/storage, with a decent sized hatch in between them to access pumps.

You’re producing some great work, keep it up!

[Tampa Bay Mike]

The flotation foam I’m going to add could help with the weight as well. I look forward to seeing the rest of your build!

The foam will not make the boat float any differently. it will only offset any water that gets inside the hull and keep you from sinking in an emergency.

[Capt.Joe]

The flotation foam I’m going to add could help with the weight as well. I look forward to seeing the rest of your build!

The foam will not make the boat float any differently. it will only offset any water that gets inside the hull and keep you from sinking in an emergency.

Would the gasoline in the tank count as liquid that entered the hull?

[Capt. Bob]

The flotation foam I’m going to add could help with the weight as well. I look forward to seeing the rest of your build!

The foam will not make the boat float any differently. it will only offset any water that gets inside the hull and keep you from sinking in an emergency.

Would the gasoline in the tank count as liquid that entered the hull?

Fuel weight should be taken into account (as it is with race cars and planes) but since it changes during the time of use, there's not a lot that you can do. Moving the tank forward and using its full weight is what most members who rebuild use as a gauge. Flotation does add weight (as does stopping at Denny's for a Grand Slam before launching) but that would be based on type, location and quantity so again, not a really deciding factor in your case.

Good luck.

[Capt.Joe]

Now that I’m back working nights and adjusting to it, I’ve been doing a lot of planning. I ordered a 38gal oval livewell for my bait needs. I will order a leaning post with rod and cup holders to sit in front of the livewell. I’m still looking for the “perfect” console, but eventually I’ll just pick one.

Pictures will be on the way!

[Capt.Joe]

Last weeks work when I glassed and gel coated the old front hatch.


Final rear bulkhead where the rigging tube will run through.


The base of my fish box I made with leftover honeycomb.


Front bulkhead placed with thickened epoxy and tabbed in. 4’x6” 1/8” aluminum plates epoxied down.

[Capt.Joe]

I’m in need of advice and insight on how I should execute my floor hatches and gutters. Two designs come to mind and I’m not sure which would be best.

1) Flat floor hatch with no “lip”. The hatch would rest on top of the gutter.

2) Build a floor hatch that looks more traditional with a “lip” or trim that sits inside of the gutter.

Is there a laminate schedule I should follow when building my gutters? Also, what’s the best way to bond them to my floor?

Since I’ll have a lot of clients on the boat at once I want to ensure that the gutters won’t fail and break.