New to forum

[tripod58]

I have some questions. I have always liked the lines of the Aquasprt 222 and have some technical questions about the boat. I live in south Alabama on Mobile Bay, which is shallow for the most part. I am curious how much the boat drafts. I realize there is the flat back and the later models. Our bay gets fairly rough at times, I will mainly be fishing inshore and in water anywhere from 1 foot to 6 foot. I don't know which hull would suit me better, I am figuring the later model with the v in the hull would be better. Also would the oat be better with a porta-bracket or a transom cut out and just hang the motor. I will most likely be putting a four stroke Yamaha 150, do ya'll think this would be enough power. How well do these boats ride? Sorry for all the questions but I just am trying to get informed as mch as possible and I think these boats look alot better than most new ones.

[Capt. Bob]

Tripod58,
You're asking a lot from just one boat.
When you say 222, I think of a CCP.
That's the style you want when the bay gets choppy. Mine draws about 12" to 18" at rest. I can (and often do) get in and out of skinny water but it isn't what the CCP's main function was designed for.
My motor is mounted on a full transom bracket but the boat transom is stock, that is it's open in the back.
I ran a 17' Osprey (very popular on this Forum) and it was a great all around craft.  Skinny water (1-6) no problem, good fishing platform and ran like a raped ape.
But when it got rough, it was like riding on a sheet of plywood. :cry:
Remember, the Aquasport was a light hull, could be powered with a lower rated motor and still perform well. Its weight allows for shallow water operation even by the bigger members and as you stated, it has excellent lines and is easy to spot.
I'm bias toward the CCPs and think you could do very well with the 222.
I routinely fish in St. Joseph Bay where the depths range from 30'+ to 0' and can motor into places that hold fish that surprise people.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents and I'm sure you'll hear from others (especially the 17' crowd)
Good luck and post up some pics if you find one.

[LilRichard]

When you say from 1-6 ft, I assume you mean depth?

Any of the low deadrise 222s (Ospreys or Flatbacks - from the 60s to the early 90s) will suit you well in anything up to a moderate chop.  A CCP is better for real seas, but it not an inshore boat by any means.

[GoneFission]

The official draft numbers from Aquasport are:

222CCP:  10"
222 Osprey:  9"

So the CCP takes 1" more water than the Osprey; I don't have official info on the early flatback models.  

See ya on the water!

[slippery73]

The CCP's draft 4-5" more than a semi-v 222. But, they also have larger motors. The bare boats might only have an inch difference in draft but the added weight of the motor and larger fuel tank etc. makes it draft more rigged out. I would look for 70's-90, semi v 222 like lilrichard said. Its a good compromise.

[Capt. Bob]

When you say from 1-6 ft, I assume you mean depth?

Any of the low deadrise 222s (Ospreys or Flatbacks - from the 60s to the early 90s) will suit you well in anything up to a moderate chop.  A CCP is better for real seas, but it not an inshore boat by any means.

Yes 1'-6'.

Not an inshore boat by any means?
I beg to differ.

A flats boat? Certainly not but a bay boat yes.
Mine has seen action in Biscayne, Florida, Apalachicola, Ochlockonee, St. Andrews, St. Josephs, Whitewater, Ponce de Leon and many lesser areas. Maybe that was not the manner in which it was marketed but its light weight and deep V allow it to be used in open as well as protected waters.
A great all round craft.
 

 

[LilRichard]

True - but the same could be said about a flatback - it CAN go offshore - but I would not call it an offshore boat...  

:afro:

[tripod58]

Thanks for the responses so far. I think I will try to find a mid 70's like undertows. It is very rare I actually will be in 2 foot or less so I think the V in the boat like undertows would fit me a little better, I will also will be running offshore a few miles or so since we have a bunch of oil rigs a few miles offshore. What would be the max hp you think I could put on without messing up the ballance to much. Have any of ya'll had any experience with the new electonic shift on some of the new motors? I don't even know who all offers them but I think Mercury does. I am partial to Yamaha myself but they don't think they make but a 150 in the four stroke. What speeds do ya'll run with your motors you have on your boats. How much weight do you think I will save if I go all composie on the rebuild when I find me a boat. Thanks again

[slippery73]

Max power on one of the mid 70's models without beefing up the hull I would say 175-200hp max. I liked the suzuki's myself, you can get the 150 or 175 four stroke, (same motor and weight both models) I think is around 460lbs. Seems to be the best power to wieght ratio on these boats from what I researched, I bought a zuke 150 for mine, not on yet as Im still rebuilding so I dont know what performance numbers will be. My buddy just picked up a 73 222 original outboard model and put on a late 70's merc 115 tower of power and it does 38 on gps with an old pile of crap 115. I would think with a 175 zuke you could break into low 50's with no tower, t-top etc. Anything over that I dont think is safe on these boats, bow steer and hull strength will be issues at those speeds and more.