Aqua sport 22-2 flat back

[NHAqua222]

Hi All,

I am planning on rebuilding my 1970 fb that I purchased this summer. I see that most people have cut the deck off without removing the liner first.

I am considering removing the cap and the entire liner before I remove the rotted wood deck. That way I can glass the entire deck into the walls of the boat and put back the liner in one piece. Thoughts? I will also have to seal the liner somehow because it has lots of cracks and holes from the previous owner (flip it over and glass the backside?). Am I crazy to think I can remove the entire liner in one piece? I know I will need to support the boat somehow so it doesn’t deform.


First post. Thank you for your input.  I have spent many hours ready about other rebuilds. It has been very helpful. Thanks for all the great info.

[Ulysses485]

NHAqua222,

I just recently did this where I pulled the cap first, then the inside liner (IN ONE PIECE) and plan to do something similar to what you are looking to do. However, due to heavy 4-stroke motors and closing in the transom (at least this is typical), it typically requires you to raise the deck 3-6'' to maintain a self bailing deck. They are typically pretty weight sensitive so its all in how you set it up and proper balance. This will require you to either trash the liner sides or cut the bottoms out enough for it to rest flush on the deck. However, because of the outside stringers in these flatbacks, its a good think to remove the liner so you can add glass to the outside stringers and tie them into the hull side. My plan is to beef up the original stringers with glass, refill them with foam (remove the center stringer for fuel tank storage below deck), and set a deck. Once thats complete i can decide how to reuse the liner front deck assembly and trim up accordingly. You can see links to my build and a post I made specifically about removing the liner/decks in one piece.
https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=16098.0
https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=15666.0

[NHAqua222]

Thank you, Ulysses485! Sounds like we have the same plan. I really like the idea of tying everything together.  Any thoughts about how I should waterproof the liner before/after I put it back on? Mine has lots of small cracks due to flexing and a few larger ones that will need more attention.  Epoxy and/or glass the under side? Or will a few coats of gelcoat do the trick?

I don’t think I will close in the transom. I am going to put the same 90 Honda back on.  Right now my bailing holes work and I am hoping I will become even lighter after I remove the saturated foam. Fingers crossed.

I like your hoisting contraption. I will plan on doing a similar thing.

[Ulysses485]

You might want to start a rebuild thread in the 222 flatback section or ask Rickk if he can move this one. You will get a lot of help on here but pictures are incredibly helpful for others to understand what your up against. I am not sure what you mean by waterproofing the deck. Your finish can be whatever you like depending on how much effort and end result. Most will go with paint but I prefer gelcoat finishes because of durability and longevity. I am planning on adding some more glass to the side liner if i reuse it and possibly more glass to the underside of the boxes in the front casting deck because I feel they could use it.