flatback vs modified v

[philbilly423]

Hello everyone! My name is Justin, you can get some background on me in the Intro forum.

Now for the questions  
A very good friend of mine swears by a modified v whereas obviously everyone in my family swears by the flatback. I was hoping to get some information on the characteristics and differences of the two from unbiased sources (outside my friends and family)

Second i am torn between rebuilding myself or buying one rebuilt. Finding a hull in my area should not be a challenge. If i go with the self rebuild i will be paying a local fiberglass shop to do all the glass work because i have 0 experience with that. Ive gotten a rough estimate from them, i bring in a gutted hull and they do everything from building the live wells and hatches to the outside paint for 11k. Does that sound reasonable? I am more than capable of doing everything other than the glass work. Oddly enough i have added everything up and a rebuild looks to cost quite a bit more than buying one already rebuilt.  

I appreciate all input and look foreword to hearing from yall.

[CLM65]

Welcome Justin!  The flatback is obvioulsy the far better choice!  Of course, I have never ridden on either of them, and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night.  But I am currently rebuilding a 67 flatback, so I might be a little biased.  Which is better will really come down to personal preference and how you plan to use the boat.  Since your intro said you are mostly interested in backwater fishing, I really do think the flatback would be a good choice.  If you plan to spend much time in a chop, you will probably get a better ride in the modified v.  Appearance-wise, it will come down to your personal opinion.  The modified v has a slightly more modern, sleeker look, which appeals to many.  The flatback is more old school, but pretty darn good looking if you ask me .

Whether you rebuild it yourself or buy rebuilt is completely up to you as well.  I started my project with zero fiberglassing experience.  Now it just looks like I have zero fiberglassing experience .  Rebuilding these boats is really not too complicated.  It just takes basic skills, time, and of course money.  How much money depends on what material you want to use, and also if you have a good source of discount supplies (think marine surplus).  I also think a key to completing a rebuild yourself is your own ability to work with your hands and your satisfaction in doing so.  Some people would prefer to have someone else shed the blood, sweat, and tears - and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that - while others enjoy the process and want to say "I built that myself" when they look at the finished product.  I am in that second camp.  But again, a personal choice.

As far as your local shop, I would recommend getting references and looking at some work they have done.  11K does seem kinda low, given what I have learned from my material purchases and the amount of time I have invested in my project.  But I could be off base, as I honestly have not done a good job of tracking what I have spent so far (which actually benefits me when the wife asks what this thing is going to cost).

Whatever you decide, good luck...and post pics!

[dbiscayne]

What CL said.
I'll add that if you already have the tools and location to do the glass work yourself you're saving $$$ as long as you don't keep track of how much time you put into it.  In the end you've got the satisfaction of knowing it was done exactly how you want it.  Most of the folks that do their own glass work fit into that category, and claim they enjoy doing it which I might be guilty of.  With somebody elses rebuild you really need to look closely and make sure it was done right.

Sooo, keeping in mind how much the Flatback owners love their boats...Flatback vs. Mod V
In my humble opinion, Flatbacks have their place, great for shallow bays, could argue that they're more stable at rest, and they have a pretty hi cool factor about them, other than that I don't see an advantage.  Modified V's are a more versatile platform, better bow flare, drier and generally a smoother ride, still pretty damn stable, respond to tabs better if you wanna lean the boat over and can float in skinny water too.  But I'm also biased and own a Modified V, actually two of them.

[gran398]

The guys have done a great job in their replies regarding both questions.

Couple of things to throw out in support:

If you do it yourself, there are MANY excellent rebuilds here. The recent rebuilders have learned from the past, and now there are professional techniques in use....mold-making and vacuum bagging....which weren't here in the past. And....the guys are happy to walk you through any situation. As Rick says, they have "been here, done that."

If you choose to go the route I did...hire a shop....MAKE SURE to do solid due diligence.  Go to professionals in your boating community. Yards, repair shops, engine dealers, riggers, electronics installers, etc....and ask who they recommend. You'll hear the same name(s) over and over....and conversely, you'll hear the same jacklegs over and over  

Either way.....and either hull....you've made a great choice. You'll love running a 22-2

[Capt Matt]

In my bias opinion a flatback
Drier, runs shallower, more stable and needs less power
If u have never rode one come on down the proof is in the pudding
Capt Matt

[Aswaff400]

take him up on that offer! matts ride is awesome!

[wingtime]

It really comes down to how you are going to use the boat.

[gran398]

In my bias opinion a flatback
Drier, runs shallower, more stable and needs less power
If u have never rode one come on down the proof is in the pudding
Capt Matt

Reckon it depends on where you're running.

Atlantic ocean on any given day...A  twelve degree 22-2 will leave a flatback on an offshore run.

Aquasport successfully engineered an updated shallow-draft hull with offshore capability.

However...the flatback is the icon. Began the company in '65. Prettiest Aquasport ever made. Excellent inshore performer. Happy and proud  to say I owned one. If lived near Tampa Bay...would still own the freshwater flatback Fireboat. Looking back...would be fun to have kept her. The value is only going up.

Either ride is impressive.

Reckon it depends on where you're running

[Aquasport Commodore]

Hi Justin, I'm in Port Charlotte just north of you. I am rebuilding my 72 Mod-V right now and prior to this no fiberglass experience. I learned from just reading here and I watched a few youtube vids. Here is my thread to get an idea viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11927

If you want to come by when I am working on mine and try your hand let me know. I would be more than willing to teach you what I learned. If you do the work yourself and take what has already been done here without reinventing the wheel, you will save mucho money. If your wallet is mucho fat and needs a diet then look at the shops. You can do it, just the key is in the prep and time it takes to get everything ready. I can also help with the supplies you need for the deck and transom as I found a cheap source from doing a lot of research.

As for FB vs MV each is their own with similaries and differences but not that much. You give and take on both. Either way they play in the water, fish skinny and deep, and enjoy being used.

[philbilly423]

First of all I would like to thank everyone for all the advice as well as apologize for being away so long. Been very hectic on my end.

Kevin I will send you a pm after this message as I would love the opportunity to come see your build.

Since asking my question I have driven 2 flaties and really liked both. However neither really what I want for a few different reasons.

From this I have made my decision on which way to go. I'm going to build my own mod v, fiberglass and all. Trust I will be on here with tons of questions as I'm completely unexperienced.

Does anyone have any good resources or links on the basics of fiberglassing?

Does anyone know of any mod vs hulls for sale?

Again thanks in advance!

[gran398]

We have a '73 22-2 for sale here at present. Original with a single Yammie.

As they all do....an original 70's 22-2 will require a rebuild. Transom, stringers, tank, deck, console, hardware, rigging, wiring, systems, electronics, etc....but boy oh boy...it's a lot of fun!

At present a few members are looking a 22-2.  Be patient. Last year there were two to three a month, up and down the east coast. Watch Craig's diligently. Even if it means a road trip...the northern boats were used less (shorter season) and don't suffer the UV degradation/salt impregnation as the southern boats.

Look for realistic pricing. Unless it is a documented rebuild...with correct layup/components as those here....you are buying a hull skin, formed stringers, casting deck,  gunnel (deck) cap...and that's it.