What is a Flat Back? 222 Flatback with lots of pics *updated

[saabmarine]

I read a lot about FB and Flat Backs but I don't know exactly what it refers to.  I recently (2 yrs ago) sold my 1974 240 and still have a mid '60s 222.  The 222 has had the floor redoneabout 20 years ago.  It's certainly functional as is but could be a gorgeous boat if it was redone.  It currently has a new center console and new 28 gallon tank.  It also has a 1990 Merc 135Hp and the 28 gallons will get you anywhere you want to go.  Never had a range issue with this boat.  It sits on a heavy duty fully boxed frame galvy trailer.  Is this boat a Flat Back?  What's the desire for a FB?  I recently upgraded to a 1985 Mako 254 so the aquasport just sits.  Any interest?  I'm passively trying to sell it.  Boat is on Cape Cod, MA.

[LilRichard]

If it's a 60's 222, it's a flatback.  That refers to the deadrise... there is none, making it flat in the back.

That looks like a FB to me.

[saabmarine]

It is damn near flat but I'm not sure I'd call it completely flat.  It makes for a rough ride in any kind of seas.  About 10 years ago we fiberglassed a makeshift keel onto the bottom and it has done wonders for the ride and in tracking straight.  I'll have to get some more pictures of it if I want to sell it quickly.

[JimCt]

First thing I look at is the bow.
Your boat is a flatback... a national treasure, IMHO.

[saabmarine]

So what's so great about the flat back?  It'll provide a nice stable platform to fish from but it's a rough ride out there.  Is it just one of those things that's great because it's rare?  If anyone is interested in buying, send me an email and I can get more pics and give a nice long detailed description.

Mstratton30@hotmail.com

[John Jones]

They are popular down here because of the shallow draft for inshore fishing but high enough freeboard to still be safe crossing Tampa Bay if you get caught in a blow.  Not to mention that they are just good looking, solid built boats.

[JimCt]

Please post more pictures and a little more narrative about your boat.  You never know... someone who didn't know they needed a FB may hit the lure.

FB's are sought after because they are, in the eyes of many, the classic Aquasport.  It was the first model brought out by the company and was designed to accommodate  shallow-water Florida fishing, as J.J. said.  Comfort's a relative thing so back then in the mid '60's maybe the ride wasn't considered so bad.  My feeling about the "hard" ride these boats seem to deliver is that nowadays you see engines much more powerful put on them than what they were originally envisioned to carry.

If you wander through the Gallery section you'll see several FB's which have been restored up to, and in some cases, above what the factory originally shipped.  A growing number of folks seem to think they're worth it

[scott_gunn]

Yep, just what John said.  They are a very appropriate bay boat for the West coast of Florida (and some other areas as well).

They have a ridiculously shallow draft for their size (9-11 inches).  The high gunnels also make them a very safe boat for charters, family, or taking offshore on calm days.  Very few modern production boats have the same characteristics as a nicely redone Aquasport 240, 222, 200 or an old Proline 24..  The few that do - Gause, Dorado, and Sheaffer - are very expensive and in very high demand in this area.

The "post-flatback" design of the hull had a 12 degree deadrise.  It is slightly better riding and handling at the expense of about an inch deeper draft.  Both flatback and non-flatbacks are classics, IMO.  I consider the slight deadrise an improvement but it all boils down to what someone wants.  The flatbacks are a rare find and the rarity adds some extra panache.

[saabmarine]

It also has the very rare swim step built in to the starboard side of the boat.  It drops down when you need and it then folds up into a recessed spot when not in use.  It's a great little feature.  I'll get more pics this weekend.  I talked to my father, owner of the boat from 1988 to 2005 and he said the boat is a 1966.

[JimCt]

That is one of the earliest AS's I've seen.  '66 was the first year of production I believe. The swim/dive platform it is a rare option.  Other option it may have is two underwater viewing ports up near the bow.

This from a 1966 article about your boat:



If you're serious about selling it, a good home for it would be someone here on the site who will value it.  Be a shame to see the boat go to someone who'll butcher it.

[saabmarine]

Although the boat was mine from 2005 to present, my father still has a vested interest in it so it's his decision of when to sell and how much.  I'm taking the old man fishing on ym new Mako this weekend and I'm going to try to talk him into selling the boat to someone here so it'll get the proper attention it needs.  Right now he's thinking of trading it for someone to install central air in his house.  The guy is a good guy but doesn't know the first thing about boats and will abuse the boat as any first time boat owner would.  The last option is for me to take it on as a project but I doubt it would be worth it financially for me to put in all that work and money and sell it later.  Although my nephew is now 18 months so by the time I finished the boat he might be ready for his own boat. haha.  Pics to follow...  Thanks for the article Jim, that's really neat.  Do you have the whole thing?

[LilRichard]

These boats fetch decent money completely restored ($20-$3?k), but are most often not worth redoing just to sell it.  Please do not let your father give it to the AC man.

[JimCt]

LilRichard is right!  Please do not let that boat go to someone who, despite all the best intentions, will trash it.

Here's the rest of the article:
http://www.classicaquasport.com/gallery ... hp/cat/559
The pages are out of order so you'll have to sort them out at your end.

[saabmarine]

I went to the cape today and took some pics.  The boat is under a tarp so I did the best I could.  My father is starting to come around to selling it.  Realistically what would it be worth?  Ballpark.

Swim platform from inside




Transom from inside

Helm seat (needs work or replacing)

Electrical panel, needs replacing but wiring is new



front of new console

Bow seat/casting platform


Under console 28 gallon fuel tank (new)

1990 Merc Black Max 135 HP, runs excellent

Inside of gunnel


Floor and console anchor plate (starboard glassed to the deck and console bolted to the starboard)

The board supports the tarp

FLAT BACK!!!

Custom Keel, solid as steel and makes the ride soft but could be removed if you want the true flat bottom, adds approx 3" to draft

[GoneFission]

It's a classic and would be a great boat for someone to take on - probably not as big a project as many we've seen.  Funky bow platform and the console looks like it's been raised?  

The dive platform on the side makes it very desirable and rare.  It's good to see all the hardware is there - it would be tough to find that stuff if it was missing!  

Looks like the motor is mounted too low - you could probably take it up 1-2" and gain the same in draft - if you like getting in skinny water - what flatbacks are all about.

Like the others, I hope if you sell it you get it to someone who will appreciate it.  It's potentially a great boat.  

See ya on the water!