1968 22-2 FB rebuild

[fishinonthebrain]

I like your transom layout.

[Aswaff400]

ok, heres the latest thing ive been pondering about... to put a casting deck, or have an open bow with no casting deck...

with the casting deck at about the original height. only about 8 inches higher than the main deck... gunnel cap comes just below my knee at the bow


the gunnel cap comes just above my knee at the bow.... not a whole lot of height difference, still low enough to throw a net over...  ill still have the big hatch, and then i could run about a 48 inch long coffin box for more storage/cooler capacity...



what do y'all think??

[seabob4]

I vote raise the casting deck up to just shy of the cap...hell, raise it all the way up and glass to the underside of the cap (inwale)...that would look sweet, be functional (a true casting deck)...

Yep, that's what I would do.  But it would have to move forward, don't know if you have enough overhang to mate up with a vertical from the cockpit sole...

[gran398]

Everybody's different, and my thinking is just the opposite....level deck to the bow.

 Like the decks on Contenders. No step-up to remember, nothing to trip over. You've already raised the deck five inches....would be cool to have a lot of freeboard somewhere...and no better place than up at the bow. Working anchors in the slop, laying into a big tarpon from up there...a lot of leverage.

Even throwing a cast net in rough conditions....you're safer INSIDE the boat.

Okay.... its 1-1 in the first inning! :flower:

[seabob4]

Scotty, if there were a vertical inwale, I'd agree with you.  But as it stands, lowering the deck to the sole will create an uncomfortable lean from where your feet are (the sole) to where your body would rest (the cap).

That's my reasoning...

[BradleyD]

I agree with seabob. Both look good so aesthetics would go either way but the gain in height/sight advantage would be worth it for me. The extra storage below the deck would be a plus as well.  If it's rough and trying to throw a net just step down to the main deck and throw,  but then again if it's too rough to throw a net I'd probably be staying at the dock.

[Aswaff400]

i might add, either way i go, there will be thick coaming bolsters wrapped around the bow and there will be a bulkhead for an anchor locker in the bow...

[dirtwheelsfl]

I like how mine turned out  8)

If you get dead set on a flat deck i think youd need to do extend the cap back to where youre not leaning on the hullside to reach the gunnel like Bob said.    

I also dont like a tall casting deck with a big step.    

I would do like the old 23 Intrepids.   They had a small (4" or so) raised deck with center fishbox.    Short enough to keep you in the boat and still add alot of space underneath.   Then Id probably do a half height bulkhead on top of the deck directly under the front o the cap to keep an anchor and whatnot.   Then between the step and console is a nice spot to put a cooler sideways..


only pic I could find..    http://www.thehulltruth.com/attachments ... boat-5.jpg

[gran398]

Looking back at the pics, see where you're coming from.

Would like to see a pic of Aaron standing directly behind the center of the bow cap, middle of the curvature....behind where the bow cleat would go.

[Aswaff400]

scott, ill see if i can get a pic...

dirt, your boat is actually what got me thinking bout going with a flat deck... that and i started to get used to the contender. LOL.

i like the coffin box thats on the contender. i dont know if it would fit between the legs on my tower.ill have to measure it when we get it back from service... i know the smallest frigid rigid coffin box will fit

[Georgie]

I'm with DW here, Aaron....the flatback is not a big water boat, so in basic concept you're not supposed to need or want high gunwales.  In addition, the casting deck functions two very important ways...MASSIVE/CRITICAL storage area, and excellent fishability. Unless  you have a very specific use/boating style planned, keep the deck and just raise or lower it if you want to fit your own measurements.  

[gran398]

Neat boat DW

[Blue Agave]

Go with option A, the first photo.  You're not going to be out in the middle of the bay when its blowing 15-20, you'll be in the skinny water.  

[Callyb]

I would go with the raised casting deck.

One other thing to consider is, IMO, I am pretty sure that the casting deck is actually structural to the hull. I think you would have some undesired flex in the bow without it, even with the deck raised 5 inches.

Just some food for thought.

[seabob4]

So did we make your decision for ya, Aaron?