60's-early 70's Flatback 222 Rebuild

[mlm0047]

Hello all,

I am new to the forum, and I am considering having a 222 flatback rebuilt. I have a couple reservations that I hoped this forum could help. I would be using the boat in Tampa Bay, and I would like a tower on the boat. I have never been on an 222, but I see them all over Tampa bay. How is the stability with a 3/4 tower, and a 175 four stroke? I am assuming it is safe because most of the pictures i have seen here have similar builds on them. I have also heard rumors about the back of the boat "sliding" out due to the flatback, and was wondering if this is just an isolated event I heard of.

Thanks so much for the help and I look forward to hearing some feedback!

Matthew

[Callyb]

Hi there Matt and welcome aboard!

I can't speak to the stability, but I can speak to the nature of the hull.

This is a cut and paste that I posted just the other day...

"About the high speed handling of a flatback... It is simply NOT a high performance hull. It is like driving a Jon boat...you are not turning on a dime at 30 mph. As long as you understand and respect what it's strong suit is and it's design limitations are you are all set. I regularly ran mine in two completely different environments and never had any issues with the performance of the hull in the open water of Lake Huron or the winding channel of the Ausable River. The river narrows to less than 60 feet in many areas and winds through several 90 degree or better turns and it can easily be navigated with a flatback at 20 mph or better. Does it slip? Sure... My thoughts are to be a good Captain and throttle back... Would the longer keel help? Maybe. How much? I don't know? My bottom line here is not to plan on making this hull something it isn't.

Personally, I don't know that you can without some very heavy modifications, like the stakes Craig spoke of. And speaking of strakes, I would be inclined to build "reverse" strakes so that they bite in during a turn as opposed to "planing" strakes that you normally see on current hulls.

Just my two cents, and bouncing some ideas off of you guys."

Extending the keel ins't a big deal or hard to do. Also, the addition or the reverse strakes I mentioned are a simple add-on for any builder.

I wish you the best of luck and would not shy away from building one of these Flatbacks. For the money spent you cannot touch a hull the will perform at this level!

[Aswaff400]

ive been putting quite a few hours on my flatback since "finishing" and absolutely love how the boat handles. im running a full folding tower, mercury 225EFI on a 17 inch setback porta bracket, 62 gallon fuel tank, leaning post-livewell from Eugene(GroupW), a 20 gallon transom well, 36 volt trolling motor(5 batteries), console from Panga Marine. i did extend my keel all the way to the transom and yes it will still want to slide depending on a lot of variables: speed, turn radius, tabs down, engine trim, livewell or fuel levels. but on a normal load, minimal tabs/trim is needed. if you are close to downtown St. Pete, your welcome to come ride on my flatback. i highly recommend it!
 
pic of my boat from yesterday

[love2fish]

She looks great! Glad to hear you are enjoying it, the paint and balance of the boat looks spot on!
I like where you have your FL numbers and thought about doing that on my boat- drove me crazy having to put stickers on mine after spending that much time on paint. Have you received any flak from LEO's about the placement?

[Aswaff400]

One of my customers is an fwc officer and said it's fine as long as numbers are attached to the boat.  i will have numbers made and remove the current number boards when i have an isinglass enclosure made and have my top canvas redone to match

[dirtwheelsfl]

I went for the old custom handpainted sign look