Hull year, deadrise?

[Capn Dave]

I need a little help on my AQ history...
I'm crazy about my 1975 222 -- great inshore and offshore -- and crazy enough to want a second one, so I've been looking.    I had thought that 1975 was a change in hull design, and a change in deadrise, but looking at pictures of both 72 and 73 models, they look similar.  Am I wrong -- is that the same hull?  I'd appreciate some wisdom.  (Speaking of which, what happened to the History of AQ's that began years ago - was it SteveD who took it on?)

[MarshMarlowe196]

It should be the same hull.  12 degree deadrise.

[Capn Dave]

The history that was posted below says there was a hull redesign by Walters in 75... I guess the deadrise didn't change, but I wonder what did?

[scott_gunn]

I am not sure when the 222 went from a flatback to a 12 degree deadrise. The hull looks exactly the same except from the rear, where you can see if it's either flat or vee.

[RickK]

A flatback's hull is definitely NOT the same as a newer 12 degree model.  The bottom is different, the sides are very different and the prow is a dead giveaway that it's a flatback and not a newer model.  The insides are different too, especially the casting deck.

[GoneFission]

Flatbacks (models prior to 72) had a near-zero deadrise and are obvious from the stern.  Also, the 73 and later 12 degree deadrise models added a lifting strake near the bow to help the boat plane better.  12 degree deadrise boats handle chop better than the flatbacks, track better at speed, and plane faster.  Flatbacks require 2" less draft and can run in shallower water.  A lot of people just like the lines of the orgininal flatback, and the diver model is cool...

The bow flare in 73 and later used a compound curve, which cannot be done with plywood.  Remember, the original Aquasports were plywood, and the first fiberglass models were very similar in shape to the plywood versions.  It is rumored that Coburn made the mold for the first fiberglass Aquasports using a plywood 22-2; not sure if that's true or not.  Another rumor was that the 19-6 was the same mold as the 22-2 with 30 inches taken out of the stern...

[LilRichard]

GF - I would argue one point, I think FBs plane out faster than later model hulls.  Because of the flatback, they can stay on plane at very slow speeds (in the low teens).