70' or 80's 222

[222dreamer]

Good afternoon- I am new to the forum and I have not even acquired my aquasport yet.  I want to do what many have done.  Get a 70's or 80's 222 and do a complete rebuild-closed transom, porta bracket, tower... Inshore / offshore hybrid.  I want to get one in good shape, use it for a season or two then do my rebuild. So now for my question.  I notice most seem to rebuild 70's 22-2's rather than 80's.  Is there a reason for this or is this just coincident.  I was thinking it may be easier to find an 80's model in good condition. I am steadily looking and would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you in advance.

[fitz73222]

Welcome Dreamer!
Sorry we haven't responded sooner so I'll get the ball rolling. I'll assume you are looking for a 12 degree bottom and not a deeper V CCP. Too me, the attraction to 70's version was they were a beautiful boat and the most copied of all of them. They also had some design challenges with respect to ride quality and self bailing at rest issues. Finding one in usable condition can be a challenge. The elements take their toll on 35-40 year old plywood coring unless you can find a barn kept one that had seasonal use and lots of TLC in her life. Same goes for the 80's models. If it has plywood coring, most are at the end of life without a rebuild. Additionally, water saturated foam in the stringer girders is pretty typical. It seems from numerous posts that the foam composition was improved in the late 80's by the amount of CCP's that seem to have dry foam when the flooring or transom is replaced for core issues. Your best bet might be to find a well documented rebuild that's 5-10 years old that you can find that is reasonably priced,<$20K. Newer rebuilds are generally way over priced unless you can find a distress sale. If you hang around on this forum long enough you'll start to get a feel for what a quality rebuild is verses a backwoods restore made from inferior materials and methods with a coat of paint; basically perfume on a pig as Scotty likes to say. Not sure what part of the country you're in but Tampa and the general southwest coast of Florida is where a lot of these boats wind up in various stages of decay to $40K beauties. I hope this helps you in your quest. Owning one of these boats is more about emotion than it is about good financial sense. Something about backing down a ramp or pulling up to a marina and a small crowd gathers to chat about your old girl that takes the sting out of your bottomless pit you have chosen to call yours! Ain't America great!

[gran398]

Welcome!

Additional thoughts to Fitz's excellent post.

The 22-2 (dash two) refers to the 12 degree shallow V. The 222 is the CCP, Center Console Professional deep V. The dash two requires less horsepower to plane, and is more of a bay boat. When the 70's dash two added a taller gunnel cap to increase freeboard, it became the 222 Osprey. A bit confusing in terms of names and #'s designations, but the difference in the hulls is easily recognizable.

The hulls run differently. The deep V is in general softer and drier as you would expect. It also requires higher horsepower with greater fuel burn.

Both hulls restore nicely.

The first Aquasport built was in the mid sixties. It was not a twelve degree, it was flat at the transom (zero deadrise). They are lovingly referred to as flatbacks. They have their own set of ride and handling parameters. Their designation was also 22-2. This boat was discontinued around '71, and the twelve degree version began production.

All of these boats, as with any boat, have their plusses and minuses. Not sure where you live, but suggest you go for a ride on all three versions and see which model best suits your needs. We have members all over the country that will be more than happy to take you for a spin... providing you bring the beer and chicken

Glad you're here, welcome aboard!

[GoneFission]

Hey 222 Dreamer - why not come out for the Aquasport Octoberfest reunion and check them out?     We can get you out fishing on the model of your choice and you can get an up close view of the different models, both original and rebuilt/restored.  Hope to see you in Southport in October!  

[222dreamer]

Thanks very much. I am interested in 22-2 12degree dead rise. I guess the main idea is are the 70's and 80's hulls the same hull. If so that may broaden and ease my search. I really enjoy the forum and am learning a ton   Hopefully I will go into this this well educated. Thanks again

[gran398]

Thanks very much. I am interested in 22-2 12degree dead rise. I guess the main idea is are the 70's and 80's hulls the same hull. If so that may broaden and ease my search. I really enjoy the forum and am learning a ton   Hopefully I will go into this this well educated. Thanks again

Yes they are. The only difference was a taller gunnel cap and changed casting deck hatch layout on the Ospreys.

We all really shine at spending each others' money on boats  Where do you live?

[GoneFission]

Thanks very much. I am interested in 22-2 12degree dead rise. I guess the main idea is are the 70's and 80's hulls the same hull. If so that may broaden and ease my search. I really enjoy the forum and am learning a ton   Hopefully I will go into this this well educated. Thanks again

Yes, basically the same hull from 1974 until 1988.  Some console updates, cosmetic changes, bell and whistle changes, but the boats remained pretty much the same through these years.  

[222dreamer]

I live near Orlando in a little town called Sorrento.  I would love to come to the Octoberfest, but I just had to evict a tennant and have a lot of work to get it ready.  This will also take a bit of my boat money, which is very irritating.  I will just keep looking for the right deal.  I do not plan on just buying the first one I find, but the one that is right for my plan.

[gran398]

No worries, all good.

In the end, you may have to travel a little for a sweet hull. We've all worked together for a good while finding nice boats.

The boys will be on your 22-2  search like white on rice