1966 22.2 Rebuild questions

[Bhard]

We've "inherited" a 1966 22.2 w/a side dive step.  It was my brothers fishing boat for years, now he's given it to my son.  I know it needs a new transom for starters.  I'm also toying with having the entire boat refurbished, but I'll have to pay to have the major fiberglass work done.

Can anyone refer me to folks in Connecticut, or nearby, that is known for quality fiberglass work?

Thanks in advance.....  Betsy and Brien Hard

[GoneFission]

Welcome to the site!  You have a rare and classic boat there!  The 22-2 "Diver" model is a cool variant of the desired "flatback" Aquasport.  Also, does yours have the underwater windows as well?  

We have a few ClassicAquasport members in CT; best known is probably JimCT, but we have not heard a lot from him lately.   :cry:  

Check out the member's galleries for some pix of 22-2's being rebuilt; also a cool article on your boat here:

http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery ... hp/cat/559  

Don't hesitate to ask questions and explore the site - lots of good info and nice folks here.

[Bhard]

Thanks for the welcome and information.  When I learned we were getting the boat I found this website and printed the article you suggested.  Very cool.  Rumor has that they only made ten dive models, so it is truely a classic in its own right!  It does not have the windows though.  It has a Merc. 135, that is said to run well, although I have to fix the tilt.  I believe it began life working at Woods Hole, which makes sense to have the diver model.  It's been living in Bass River / Nantucket Sound for the last 20+ years.

Again.  If anyone can recommend fiberglass people in my area, I'd greatly appreciate being steered toward some reputable folks.  Between my hubby and I, we can figure out the mechanical and electrical issues; my only experience with fiberglass was sanding my Granddad's boat every summer!  

My brother has another boat that is taking all his attention now, so I don't want to impose.  He's already given us the boat, trailer and engine for free!  My son just turned 14 and I'd like to make this a boat he can rely on for many years to come!  He's becoming a great fisherman and I'd like to keep those stripers coming!!!!!  

[Bhard]

Great news.  I may have found a gentleman who has replaced stringers and flooring in Aquasports before (not my model, but at least he's familiar and appreciative of Aquasports).  He's willing to let my son "apprentice" with him on the rebuild, e.g. do all the less technical but very dirty work!   We've got a barn they can stage in and we'll probably start work in January.

We'll be asking lots of questions as we go........

I guess my first question would be if any knows where I could get my hands on some "plans" or blue prints of the '66 diver model.

Here's what we are starting with...

[Mad Dog]

Sweet machine you have there.  Good luck with the restoration.

Are going back to original all the way or planning any modifications?

MD  

[compcrasher86]

Nice boat you got there. I saw one of these classic diver models moored in the harbor here in Marblehead:



She caught my attention not only because shes a 22-2, but had the same motor on the back as mine does. Whoever owns her is keeping 'er in good shape. I don't dive that much but that dive step would be pretty cool.

[Bhard]

The Marblehead 22-2 looks nice!  Reminds me of our boat when my brother first got her.

I'm toying with getting her very close to original as possible.  I'll leave the keel extention my brother added a few years ago.  It's not more than a few inches but he says it really helped her handle better, and I'm toying with raising the transom.  I really liked the transom work that LilRichard did on his rebuild.  Since the boat will probably be used primarily in Nantucket and Long Island Sound, a raised transom sounds like a safe idea.

Any thoughts out there?

Betsy & Brien

Oh, PS.  If anyone has made the connection yet, I just recently found that my nephew (saabmarine) and my brother (Burt) had several posts and pictures on this website last year as they contemplated what to do with the boat.  Under saabmarine there's a nice photo of her on the mooring down the Cape. We're fortunate that my son was the final recipient,  and my Mom was thrilled to get her out of her yard...although my wallet may regret it by mid-winter!

[RickK]

I think due to the rareness of her, I'd think twice about making too many mods.  It's one thing to have a flatback but quite different to have a diver model flatback.  If it were mine I would take her back to original to include a small motor (70 or 90) and enjoy the design as it was created.  

Those boat were "mushers", pushing their way through the water with a sharp prow.  I drove one of our member's diver and they don't jump up on plane like a regular Aquasport, they just go faster and faster with the prow slicing through the waves.  One thing about flatbacks, and why your brother extended the keel is they like to bow steer and slide.  And another warning I got from another flatback owner is that you may be heading one direction and hit a wave and be going 110 degrees from that direction in a heartbeat.

My $.02

[LilRichard]

I say do what makes you happy.  If having a classic is your goal, I agree, keep her classic.  I personally like the closed transom though - I have backed down in chop and no problems with water over the back.  Nothing wrong with a custom classic too.

That is a sweet boat though, wish mine had the door!

[Bhard]

You've (RickK) right on target re: the sliding and "mush".  Great description!  I'll have to leave the engine for now.  It runs great (the tilt is now repaired), so I'll need to save the $$$ for the rebuild.  

I'm still leaning toward raising the transom, but that's a lot of work away.

I noticed a little cracking in the hull at the corner of the dive step, I hope it's only cosmetic!  

Betsy

[compcrasher86]

I really like the 22-2 Diver here in town. I would drive by 'er and take some more pics but I have a leak in the hull I need to repair first. If I get it done before the season is over maybe I can check out the one here in town because it looks as if it was restored to its classic state.


As for the cracking... Hopefully it is cosmetic, often times it is. I have found that areas in the hull with bolts and screws tend to form spider cracks (work outwards like a spiderweb).

[RickK]

I agree with LilRich - do what makes you happy.  it's just a pretty rare model.
Bob and Joel are members here that have a diver and theirs has a 90 on it and moves right along.  That's the one I drove.  They'll pipe in here sooner or later on this.

[Bhard]

Neat....and now there were three.

The hull number of our boat is #76.  It'd be interesting to learn the hull numbers of the Marblehead boat as well as Bob's and Joel's!

[compcrasher86]

I saw the Marblehead Diver Boat today on the gas dock while I was on a friend's whaler and had a conversation with the owner. I told him about this site but he told me he doesnt use the internet that much. I bet he would let me have a look at the hull number and take some pictures, but I need to get my 22-2 back in so I can get out to his mooring.

[Bhard]

Hey its Brien Hard, (the new skipper of the boat)

I was just wondering if anyone had any cool ideas of modifications that i could at to my baot as i strip the whole thing. im really big into fishing so any fishing modifications would be great.

Thanks,
Brien Hard