Classic AquaSport
Aquasport Model Rebuilds, Mods, Updates and Refreshes => Osprey Style Hull Rebuilds => 22-2 Rebuilds => Topic started by: Mike Answeeney on April 09, 2007, 10:11:14 PM
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For my ’73 22’2 rebuild, should I stick with a Bimini top for authenticity or go with a T-Top for functionality?
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Neither... go with a dual station half tower- MHO.
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A bimini actually provides more shade if shade is what you are looking for.
Do you fish? A t-top is in the way for casting.
I agree with LilRichard by the way ;)
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Tough question. Bimini does provide more shade but also is in the way for any kind of fishing except straight down.
I've never owned a T-Top on a boat, so I don't know how much they get in the way but I do see they don't provide much shade.
If you don't care about shade, then I agree with Rich.
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In my opinion, you should be sure what you need for functionality and go with that. I would not be tied to "originality". On the other hand, you may find that the bimini is what you need in any case.
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I debated the same thing a couple years ago - bimini versus t-top. Actually ordered a t-top, but it did not get here in time for the week-long fish trip. It worked out though, because the area I was fishing was best served by a ramp where you had to go under a low bridge to get out. I never would have made it under that bridge with a t-top! Also, I fly fish a good bit, and I think a t-top would simply be a fly trap! :oops:
So I went with a bimini - put it up when you need it, take it off and leave it home when you know you won't need it. Also I used the slide mounts that allow you to move the top toward the front or back up to 36" - that means I can move the top all the way back to shade the stern of the boat, or move it up to cover the console or even some of the coffin cushions.
There is a new product out there that I also considered - the Bimi-Tee Top by TaylorMade. It is kind of like a cross between a bimini and a t-top, but did not allow quite the flexibility of the bimini. You can check it out at: http://www.bimiteetop.com/index.html (http://www.bimiteetop.com/index.html)
If you are looking at installing radar or need overhead stowage, t-top is the only way to go. Otherwise, I like the bimini. :wink:
$0.02 and almost worth it...
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What percentage of the time do you spend fishing. if it hight then you want the T-top.
I like the bimini top because it is easy to take down for when you want some sun. Plus is the Northeast it is easier to cover for the winter months, don't need as big of a tarp.
Not to mention the boat weight is lighter, better for fuel and all that.
If your running the boat hard to beat a storm home its nice to be able to take down that wind resistance.
I find that people are more often holding on to the bimini frame when at sea gives an added comfort to the wife and kids.
Down side to the bimini the cost to replace material ever five to six years.
I have been on boats with both and I always end up fishing in the stern of the boat so t-top or bimini didn't really matter.
Unless you have someone else running the boat then you can cast from the bow while they do there fishing in the stern while running the boat.
Hope this was helpful
Justin
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In the restoration process, I'm going to have the deck removed and the stringers replaced. I'll be sure reinforce the deck to accomidate a T-Top.
For now, to keep my restoration costs under control, I think I'll go with the bimini since I have the origanial frame and it's in pretty good shape. That will give me the option to upgrade to a T-top in the future.
I'll probally change my mind again before it's all over, but oh well. :wink:
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Since I'm getting the stringers and deck redone on my '73 222, any ideas on where to put a live bait well? Should I even have one built in?
Anyone have good experiences with bait wells not built into the boat?
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Mike, check out a leaning post livewell- something like what hammerhead makes:
www.hammerheadlivewells.com (http://www.hammerheadlivewells.com)
45 gallons, and you can have a seat top buitl onto it.
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Yea, I've seen the stuff that Hammerhead does. Nice wells but I'd rather have a bit more comfort in my leaning post. I plan on some fishing but not as much to justify something that size.
I was thinking something long the inside corner of the transum that could double as a seat?
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Mike- I wasn't suggesting just that type- there are several versions that all double as a leaning post- the reason being that 222's sit a little low in the rear, so any added weight back there can be a drawback. Check this one out- it's probably more comfortable... just add a cushion to it and you're golden.
(http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery/data/519/124DSC00465.JPG)
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That's nice, did you make that mold?
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There's some nice options here:
http://www.commandcenterseating.com/ (http://www.commandcenterseating.com/)
(but they're pricey)
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Actually Mike, no... I wish. But that can be purchased for around $400-500 I think. Same for the center console.
I can hook you up with James should you wish to pursue... You have my number, right?
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I think you gave it to me once but i don't know where it is. Send me an email with it.
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I tried the livewell in the front half of my 22-2. Too much bouncing up there. Sloshes water every where and beats the bait all to hell. I moved it to the back under the leaning post.
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I just found that on Ebay from St Pete. Same guy?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BOAT-MAR ... 0091426763 (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BOAT-MARINE-LEANING-POST-WITH-30-GAL-BAITWELL_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ26451QQihZ004QQitemZ140091426763)
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It sure seems to be.
JJ- I agree... I would never have a livewell any farther forward than my leaning post... too much movement. I was just mentioning that you can get a center console from them... however it does not contain a livewell.
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Yea, i've found a console with a cooler or live well in front of it. Not too excited about that.
The link Scott posted "commandcenterseating" has some small stand-alone wells that mount under the leaning post.
The live well / leaning post that Richard put up is pretty nice. I found another one just like the one in the picture above but has storage under the cousion area. I like that.
I'm going to have a 26" outboard bracket off the transum. I certianly don't want too much weight in the back but i don't want to beat the bait to death either. I'll probally move the console forward a bit and integrate the well into or under the leaning post.
Thanks for the great advice everyone!
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Mike- who is rebuilding your boat?
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Hey Richard,
I went with Stem to Stern off of Hillsbrough Ave. Good references, knowledgable owner. He had a nice older Proline in progress that he had created a new "poured composite" transum, reformed the all the stringers (glass over foam), new cap and was rebuilding the deck. That's about the same things I'm having done.
About 6 months is the estimated schedule to complete.
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Hey guys,
I'm going to put a fresh water tank below deck to wash off with, clean the deck while fishing, etc.
Any recommendations on tank size? Plastic or aluminum?
Thanks!
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Hi Mike, here's my $.02.
I just received a 40 gal plastic tank today. http://www.plastic-mart.com/class.php?item=716 Comparable prices with some, better than most.
I got the biggest tank that the 230 could hold knowing that it must last me through days of camping. I also have a raw water system to wash the boat down during those days and will use fresh water for rinsing bodies, dog, dishes, making coffee, etc and only at the end of the trip for washing the boat down (maybe the windshield throughout the trip).
My suggestion is I would think about having both - unlimited raw water via a thru-hull for rough washing of the boat (you might be able to share this thru-hull with something else) and then maybe 15-20 gallons of fresh for rinsing off bodies during the day's trip and then the boat at the end. Won't require much fresh if you do the job first with the raw water. If you only have fresh, it'll go fast - too fast.
I purchased a Johnson 70psi pump (Boaters World $125 for everything) for the raw water - read about it here and it works GREAT :D and had previously bought a FloJet 40psi for the freshwater - had I known how good the Johnson works, I'd have bought 2. The Flo-jet should be fine for fresh water. I have 2 different delivery systems (sources, pump, hoses, and spray nozzles) and won't mix the two so I don't contaminate the fresh water hose. If I had one hose I guess I could always try to remember to use the hose with raw first and fresh through it last but.... what were we talking about.... :oops:
The link above has tons of different tank sizes and takes just 2 weeks to get them to you. Approx $5 / fitting installed where you want them too (some places wanted 45-150 per, depending on what I wanted).
Pix to follow - I should be putting it in this weekend.
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That's funny, just after I posted, I went Google'n and and found the Plastic-mart site. They look like nice tanks.
The raw water system in addition to fresh water is great advice, thanks.
Any concern with a plastic tank under the deck though?
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Unfortunately I don't have an answer for that since mine will be accessable and I'll be able to take it out if desired.
The tank looks and feels to be a heavy duty one. 3/8" walls.
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Mike- there is no concern with the plastic tank under the deck- I have had a few that way. Have them build an access pie plate over the tank so that you can get to the clean out and fittings, if necessary.
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Hey Rick, I'm ordering a 25 gallon tank from Plastic-Mart (thanks for the tip) but I'm wondering what size fittings would be best. I also saw the Johnson kit. Nice. What size hose fitting is the pump, 1/2"? I'm assuming that would be the same size fitting needed on the tank.
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The Johnson pump has both 1/2 and 3/4" fittings (I think) so I had a 3/4" female NPT fitting for the outlet (that I put a 3/4" hose barb on) and a 1/2" female NPT vent fitting put in. I didn't get an inlet fitting put in, instead, I had an 8" access hole put in on the top. I use that to clean the inside of the tank and to fill it. I ran 3/4" food quality hose everywhere.