1981 Osprey 222 Freshen / Overhaul (2 Stage)

[Ulysses485]

Hello AS Friends,

The beginning of my long term Freshen up/Overhaul of my newly purchased 1981 Osprey w/ 87’ 225hp Evinrude has began and I am really excited to share it to start and share it with everyone. Please provide input as I have never done one before.

I must say that it is great to be a part of this forum and there is so much great information with decades of experience in rebuilds and knowledge of these beautiful Aquasports. I started my search of a “bay boat” a few years ago and the prices (Dorado, Shaeffer, Gause Built) of boats that I could find happy with quickly turned me away from the opportunity to get back into the sport that I loved, lived, and breathed in Miami, FL. (and the timing didn't help when I was looking as a fairly new home owner/married man). Primarily running around in grade school in a 17 Montauk Whaler with pops and my brothers, we spent a lot of time spear fishing, lobstering, and fishing the waters of key Biscayne, and the reefs of soldier’s key, sands cut, through the south side at Caesars Creek. We (me and my two brothers) did start off as Infants running around in the legendary Potter built sea craft (23.3ft). My dad won lots of tournaments and through my first year (2004) in college finalized the ongoing rebuild. We spent many summers slaying dolphin and enjoying the waters of south Florida. After much thought and research, I determined that where our little family of three live (Ocala, FL.) a hybrid of both inshore, dive, and offshore would suite well. This would give me the opportunity to regularly catch redfish, scallops, shrimp, and grouper in the gulf, spearfish and lobster on vacation in the keys, run out for dolphin early summer on a good day and sit on a sand bar enjoying a good time with the family. With all that being said, I purchased a 1981 Aquasport 222 Semi-Vee 12 Degree with 1987 225HP Evinrude (525hrs) in Foley, Alabama on 7/27/19. It took me 11 hours to get her back home through 400 miles of driving no faster than 50mph in fear of burning a bearing on an old trailer.  The motor and hull was very well kept indoors by the previous (2nd) owner who had it since 1987 (repowered in 1989 with a NIB 1987 225hp Evinrude) when he purchased it from an old man in Pensacola. The gelcoat was completed on the hull sides in 2006 as well as the deck and gunnel painted. My plans are to freshen her up with new interior paint and backing in cap and console, find what I like and don’t like for how I use it, and put a plan together to create my dream AS 222. See photos below for current condition (more to come) and inspiration photos by the works of Ben Sheaffer.

Stage 1 - Refresh Plan: ETA Finish Spring of 2020
1.   Label all installed electrical wiring and cabling under center console.
2.   Disconnect electrical wiring and cabling. 
3.   Remove Center Console and disassembly of gauges etc.
4.   Remove Fuel Access Hatch and inspect (replace sending unit).
5.   Remove Rub Rail and Cap (still need to confirm this can be done without removing motor)
6.   Remove and replace backing from center console and cap.
7.   Prep & Paint Cap, interior and deck. Non skid at deck and castin platform. 
8.   Captains chairs likely to be replaced with leaning post but is TBD based on cost and reuse keeping the budget as low as possible for this refreshing stage. The captain chairs are also in good condition.   
9.   T-Top is wanted but depends on deck condition, pricing, and my options for attachment because I hate access hatches in the deck due to exposure to moisture.
10.   Hardware replacement depending on cost. Misc. Aluminum, SS with bubbles, and missing latches in multiple locations.
11.   Other Misc. projects include repairing bilge float and hose connection at side of hull, five (5) roller & two (2) bunk replacement on trailer, run VHF cabling that is disconnected, install DC accessory plug, install navigation/chart plotter/fish finder, compass, and maybe some trim tabs depending how it planes.


Stage 2 – Complete Overhaul / Rebuild: ETA Begin Fall of 2023 (follows completion of four (4) car garage.

1.   TBD: Will update as rebuild gets closer.

Pics of Brochure from 1980:



Current Conditions:











Looking forward to the progress of the project and building a dream.

-Ulysses

[Ulysses485]

Some inspiration shots that i have in mind for the build by the works of Ben Sheaffer...

I personally think the second station that a lot of people install on these builds (typically guides) sacrifices shade (at least from photos) and have never liked riding at the top of my dads sea-craft who has it (with the 2nd driving station portion. Granted, we were typically in different seas.





Thoughts? Comments?

Ulysses

[theFunsmith]

Application, application, application. There are distinct advantages to both the T-top and the tower setups but only you can decide what is right for you. If you do a lot of activities where the higher vantage point can be beneficial, a tower can make a lot of sense. In addition, a man in the tower opens up a spot on the deck. I went with a T-top because where I am at, we rarely sight fish, and the top makes a lot more sense for shade, a little rain etc. You've got a good looking boat, I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

[Ulysses485]

Application, application, application. There are distinct advantages to both the T-top and the tower setups but only you can decide what is right for you. If you do a lot of activities where the higher vantage point can be beneficial, a tower can make a lot of sense. In addition, a man in the tower opens up a spot on the deck. I went with a T-top because where I am at, we rarely sight fish, and the top makes a lot more sense for shade, a little rain etc. You've got a good looking boat, I look forward to seeing what you do with it.

Absolutely! I’m definitely a fan of the look and functionality of the 2nd station but not sure how much use I’ll get out it vs a top that will provide the shade I want from a top. Thanks for the comments. I believe rebuilds of any kind provide a deeper level of appreciation for the final product. :)

[mshugg]

Another option would be a full t top with a fold away crows nest.  My personal opinion is it depends on what you do most of the time on the boat: Inshore, trout reds & snook = no top.  On the beach for tarpon & cob = second station.  Offshore dolphin, wahoo, sails, grouper = T top unless the boat us big enough for a half tower because the shade is more important.  The crows nest is a good compromise.

All in all, picking out all there options for your boat is a good problem to have.

[Ulysses485]

Another option would be a full t top with a fold away crows nest.  My personal opinion is it depends on what you do most of the time on the boat: Inshore, trout reds & snook = no top.  On the beach for tarpon & cob = second station.  Offshore dolphin, wahoo, sails, grouper = T top unless the boat us big enough for a half tower because the shade is more important.  The crows nest is a good compromise.

All in all, picking out all there options for your boat is a good problem to have.

I agree. My dad has a removable crows nest that has been a great use even offshore spotting dolphin. And yes the search is a fun problem to have. :))

Thank for the input.

Ulysses

[Ulysses485]

Lots of progress for me this weekend!!!!!

This project was in a holding pattern because of the AC going out but is slowly coming back online.

Friday night I began cutting everything back to be pulled on Saturday.

1. Wiring was cut back and labeled as necessary from center console.
2. Console was removed.
3. Coffin box cover was removed.
4. Fuel tank was removed.
5. Pressure cleaned deck, cap, and hull sides.

Findings
1. 70 Gal. aluminum tank seems to be in good shape and has a tar coating on it. There is some pitting around the surface mounted fuel gauge sending unit. Likely from water getting through access hatch and frequently sitting on top of tank. Tank seems to hold pressure well.
2. Fuel access hatch core is shot and was leaking when pulled.
3. More wiring and control cabling will need replacement than originally anticipated.
4. Coffin box lining seems to be in great shape.
5. Bilge hose is cracked just before exits side and will need replacement.

Should have some photos uploaded this week of the progress.

Thanks for the support

Ulysses

[RickK]

Sounds like you got after it - good for you. Looking forward to the pics.

[Ulysses485]

Yes but i am struggling with how photos are to be uploaded. Hope these go through ok.

Here are some of the photos that i took.

[RickK]

Looks like you have the hang of it. 
Just remember to hold your phone horizontal with the lens to the left and your pics will be oriented correctly on a website. If you forget and take a pic with the phone vertical, there are tools in your member gallery to help rotate and save the pic. (like I did on the last pic)

[Ulysses485]

Can anyone steer me in a direction of purchasing materials in the North Central Florida region? I am looking to redo the Fuel hatch but not sure where i could get Coosa or even some Marine plywood...and of course fiberglass mat and resin supplies.

Thank You

[Ulysses485]

Looks like you have the hang of it. 
Just remember to hold your phone horizontal with the lens to the left and your pics will be oriented correctly on a website. If you forget and take a pic with the phone vertical, there are tools in your member gallery to help rotate and save the pic. (like I did on the last pic)

Aha, i thought i remember seeing a post with this but didnt understand when i breezed over it.

Thank You for that tip! That was definitely on struggle rotating a bunch of photos.

[RickK]

Would that be Ocala area?

[Ulysses485]

Would that be Ocala area?

Yes sir that is correct.

[RickK]

Google Fiberglass supplies in Ocala. I think if you're willing to drive to Tampa (google same in Tampa) you'll see a lot of options. Maybe google a place on the East coast. US Composites online has good prices but I lost my butt on shipping, even just across the state.