20 Seacraft FS vs. 222 Aquasport
 

New member looking for some advice...

Just sold my 1972 Aquasport 19'6. It was a great boat but had an open transom. I planned on moving up in size to an Aquasport 222 with a closed modified/transom. While searching, I came across a couple of nice Seacraft 20 FS models.

I do mostly inshore fishing with a once a year trip to the Keys for lobster/fishing and another to Crystal River for scalloping. Other than those trips, the fishing is primarily in shallow water (Pine Island Sound) stalking redfish and snook. I also have a family, 2 boys (6 & 7) and am not interested in a flats boat.

I realize most of you are probably biased to the Seacraft. I have heard they provide an amazing ride. If my research is correct, they also draft a little more than the aquasport modified v.

I would appreciate any opinions/advice that you guys may have. On either model, I am looking for a closed/rebuilt transom.

not sure of the draft but the ride realy is incredible compared to other boats of similar size. i can only give you my experiance as riding in freinds boats. hews, pathfinder, mavrick, ranger, seavee. and the only one that rode as good or better was the 25 seavee, its a one sided fight as for the rest of them getting off the boat was as welcomed as getting on. not sure were you are located but theirs a 20sf in miami creigs list its a closed transom with bracket and yamaha power, looks good. if i had the cash i would be going to look at it personaly.

Is the 222 considered a "flatback", if so that is what most people redo to turn into tower boats to do the type of fishing you want to do.

Never owned a seacraft but the jack plate on my 23 contender lets me do some shallow water fishing.

I am actually looking at the modified V 222's. They have a 12 degree deadrise.

Are you talking about this one in Miami?

http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/2991914032.html

Is it a CCP model? If so my brother has a 25' CCP and it does not ride as good as a SeaCraft (he has owned a 23' SeaCraft), however it's still a nice fishing boat. I like the flat floor front to back. Be sure and double check for soft spots and transom issues.

I found a 20 with armstrong bracket and ttop for 7500 on craigs today. looked like a decent boat but it was a 73'

i was told the ride is awsome and i found it so true i had a 21 formula in the past it ws awful in a chop or crosing a wake pounded this 20 i have is so smooth. wow

Both are good designs for the Sound. You can't get super shallow with either. The guys you see in the Aquasports in the Sound are fishing the troughs around the flats anyway. For an inshore Pine Island Sound or pass boat, the Aquasport with or without a tower would win; until that s sw wind kicks up. SeaCraft wins that hands down.

I fish out 20 - 25 miles as much as I fish the Sound, so I choose the 18' Seacraft...Gotta love those 18's.

The Aquasport 222 is a much bigger boat than a 20SF. A 23 SF would be closer in size.

I take my 20SF to the keys for Lobster Season. IMHO, it's the ideal boat for the keys because of it's versatility. It's happy in the back country if you don't go too shallow, and it's happy 20-30 miles offshore on a nice day. I also take it scalloping. But when I'm going after redfish, I take my Action Craft. If your main use is shallow water, and you don't want to own more than one boat, you're probably better off with the Aquasport.
Dave

Draft
 

What kind of draft are you getting with your 20 sf? Does it have a closed transom? I would like to keep my draft under 12". Afraid this might not be possible with a closed transom and bracket on a 20 sf.

Maybe the Aquasport 222 is better compared to the Hiliner 222 (Ray Hunt Hull)? Or how's the hiliner compare to a Secraft ride? I've never riden in either, YET! :D

Not sure on the closed transom but my 20 Master Angler w/200 Merc 415lbs - will idle trimmed in 18" - measured with a fishpole and law stick. It will float a bit shallower but not much. One thing I will say, I have run the sound when the tide and the wind are against each other - you will enjoy a SeaCraft then.

Hiliner222, I have a restored 1975 Hiliner 222 for sale on here... though the post might be gone. They ride nothing like an Aquasport 22. Heavy, deep vee hull that gets up on plane and rides very flat. Quite a unique ride. Mines and I/O with a 5.0 v8 engine. Not the best for flats fishing or poling! But an awesome ride for its size.