19'6 vs 22 flatback

[inshore101]

Hello everyone! New to the forum!

I am ready to purchase a new "project" boat and would like to hear peoples thoughts on a flatback vs a 19'6.

I live in Naples, FL and primarily fish inshore. This includes beach tarpon and cobia and the frequent jaunt offshore for permit. Draft is not much of an issue since a few inches for this application is pretty irrelevant. Long runs are almost a gaurantee.

Having owned three flats boats and currently a 20 bay boat, I am ready to go a bit bigger for comfort and safety when offshore.

I look forward to hearing everyones insight!!!!

[John Jones]

The 22 will give a better ride when it's choppy.  The extra length helps straddle the waves instead of eating them.  If shallow draft is not an issue, I would go with a later boat with a little deadrise.  I think my '78 has about a 17 degree deadrise.  It will give you a much better ride than a flatback and only draft maybe 2 more inches.  The higher freeboard is nicer also.   $0.02

[JimCt]

I'm a FB nut so my opinion is slanted a tad.  Inshore work is what the FB is all about.  Plus that, its the best looking boat AS ever produced.  JJ's right about the 19-6's deadrise giving a better ride in slop.   Just bring an extra cushion with you on the FB and you'll be fine.  See Shine's & lilrichard's rebuild projects in the Rebuilds Forum; ton of good info.

[GoneFission]

The 22-2 flatback is a classic - especially if you can find one with the dive platform on the side.  You can't go wrong with one of these, but they are getting scarce.  

The 19-6 is a more modern design and has advantages of a 12 degree deadrise, but gives up 2" of draft.  Better ride in chop and maybe a more modern console.

You could also consider a late 70s or 80s 22-2 with a 12 degree deadrise (also called an Osprey after 1980).  It has about the same draft as the 19-6, but in a bigger size and more space.  Better ride than the 19-6 and built like a tank.