The Flatback
Flatback is the nickname given to some of the first center console fishing boats that were produced in the late 1960’s.
The nickname came from the almost total lack of deadrise at the back of the boat (Check out our blog post on deadrise here). The bottom was essentially flat at the back, hence “Flatback.” Easy enough, right?
The Flatback Design
The flatback is a wide-beamed, stable, and efficient boat design. It runs in very shallow water for its size and has a higher bow and deeper gunnels than your traditional bay boat, making it a great choice for guides and families.
The relatively wide beam coupled with the flat bottom results in a very stable boat that can fish multiple people along one side with ease. That beam combined with the flat bottom also allows the boats to run efficiently with lower horsepower motors. They are solid, economical platforms for fishing, diving, and even some commercial operations.
The Place
The flatback was especially loved in the shallow waters of Southwest Florida. From Cedar Key down to the Ten Thousand Islands, these boats were, and still are, highly sought after. The flat bottom design allowed fishermen to run the boats in about a foot of water. Unlike jon boats or other flat-bottom boats, the higher gunwales also offered protection when running out into the Gulf to near-shore reefs, drifting exposed passes like Boca Grande, or crossing larger bodies of water like Tampa Bay or Charlotte Harbor.
Classic Flatback Designs
Perhaps the most well-known flatback design and possibly the boat that started it all is the Aquasport 222. The boat was 22’2″ long (hence the 222). The original 222 flatback is still a sought-after design, and refurbished boats can go for upwards of $100k. ClassicAquasport.com is a great place to start if you are looking for information on the classic Aquasport 222 flatback bay boat.
Another popular flatback design was the Proline 24. At 24′ it was a little bigger than the 222, but it has the same concept.
Both of these designs share a high bow, higher gunnels than a traditional bay boat, and a flat or nearly flat bottom at the back of the boat. A search on The Hull Truth can give you hours of information on the different makes and models of flatback boats.
A Modern Flatback-Inspired Bay Boat
For those who still appreciate the old flatback-style boats’ style, functionality, and economy, we humbly offer the Atlas Boatworks 23F. The Atlas Boatworks 23F is a 23’ flatback-style hull with a few modern upgrades.
We have added a full-length keel and a modest, but present, 3 degrees of deadrise. Reverse chines knock down the spray and keep the ride dry. Combined with today’s modern trim tabs and the porta bracket, the Atlas Boatworks 23F brings the benefits of the old boats while minimizing compromises.
Happy to be powered with a 150hp-200hp outboard, the Atlas Boatworks 23F is a return to that solid, economical, inshore fishing boat. Not just for Southwest Florida anymore, these boats are also at home in the Carolinas, the Lowcountry, the Chesapeake, Texas, and anywhere else that running shallow, crossing big waters, and enjoying the security of higher gunwales all converge.
Check out the Specs here or our Gallery for videos and images.
