1974 Aquasport 222 Rebuild Captain Joe

[Tampa Bay Mike]

I would go with the 200 if you can. I went with a 140 on mine to save weight and it's been a great motor but there have been times where I've wanted a little more torque. (With two or three people it's perfect but I had 8 on board for the 4th and it was a little sluggish.) The 150 and 200 zukes weigh about the same and I haven't heard many people say they wish they had less power.

[Capt.Joe]

Believe it or not I’m still getting the boat ready for the water hahaha The boat got a custom leaning post seat and was in the process of getting a custom tower. My suzuki engine came in so I brought the boat over to the shop to get it all outfitted, then I’ll bring it back to get my tower.

Since I’m at this point my question is should I move forward with the porta bracket or should I go with an Armstrong bracket?

My concern is the leverage on the transom from the porta bracket. I feel the leverage would be distributed through the transom and hull better if I had the Armstrong. Hopefully someone has some insight on this concern.

More pictures to come in the near future!

[Ulysses485]

Progress is progress is how I see it. Getting the shiny stuff is good motivation for me at least. I would personally think a porta bracket would serve you better with that hull. However, I can't remember how high your floor is. I assume you raised the stringers a few inches? How tall is it from the main deck to the top of the cap at the transom sides? I see you went with the DPI hatches. I am doing the same with my 81' 222 Refresh in the console and for the Bilge.

[Capt.Joe]

I raised the floor a good 2-3” if I remember correctly. The DPI hatches are nice and solid. I wish I decided to go that route before I tried to glass my own hatches lol

[Ulysses485]

I think you will be fine as far as self bailing is concerned. I would think that you would be ok with either a porta bracket but I feel like I have seen most install knees that running taller than the tops of the stringers to support the lever on the transom from the motor hanging on a porta bracket. I think it would come down to how much glass you have on the transom and the tabbing from the stringers to the transom. I hope that helps.

[RickK]

Good advice about the "knees" from @Ulysses485

[Capt.Joe]

Thank you all for the advice! I’m sorry I haven’t posted my rebuild in awhile but it’s still coming along strong.

[Capt.Joe]

The motor is finally hung and all of the rigging is almost complete. Can not wait to get the custom tower finished and this boat on the water.

[Capt. Bob]

Lookin' good. 

[RickK]

Nice progress Joe 

[Ulysses485]

Coming along beautifully! Well done sir! Suzuki 200 looks good on there! I’m sure you are ready for it to be on the water!

[Capt.Joe]

I still have a few misc items to check off the list but the tower is complete and now cushions will hopefully be done today. The shop said that they were able to get 50mph out of the boat with great fuel mileage.





I promise more updates to come!

[RickK]

Nice. Almost done.

[Capt.Joe]

Got the boat back from the fabricator and couldn’t be happier. I dropped her in the water at the local ramp to test it out and WOW. The boat exceeded my expectations. It handles great and goes just as fast as the flats boat (that I sold today!). I’ll continue posting updates but I’m proud to say that my rebuild has been complete.

[Capt. Bob]

Excellent work Captain.