04br_shearwater
For years, flats, backwater and bay fishermen have struggled to find a boat possessing a combination of speed, dry comfort and shallow draft. Anglers historically have been forced to choose between the big-water ride and spacious cockpits of bay boats or the large decks and walk-around gunwales of flats boats. The ShearWater X2200, however, is a crossover vessel, and it pulls some of its best traits from its popular siblings, the ShearWater bay boat and the Sterling flats boat.
Each X2200 begins with ShearWater’s smooth-riding, Pad-Vee hull design. The boat boasts large fishing decks fore and aft and walk-around gunwales. A large, aerated release well and two aerated baitwells should suffice for the tournament angler, while two large, lockable rod boxes with individual rod tubes can store a host of fly rods up to 10 feet long.
Additional features on the X2200 include spacious dry-storage compartments for tackle and gear, an optional poling platform and a cast-net storage box. After a serious fishing trip, make use of the optional aft-deck cushion package while cruising to the local hangout to watch the sunset with family and friends.
Design and Construction
The X2200 incorporates the same high-pressure-injected (HPI) foam core, double-hull construction common to all ShearWater and Sterling boats. It also has a Kevlar-reinforced, hand-laid fiberglass hull with an all-composite stringer system and transom. The unique inner hull, or liner, is chemically bonded to the outer hull and stringer system before the HPI foam core is applied, which encases the stringer system in the structural foam. After the liner mold is removed, the cap is then bonded to the inner and outer hull. Finally, after curing, the X2200 is pulled from the mold in one piece, hence the term “three-piece bonded boat.”
Every ShearWater and Sterling is built to NMMA standards, featuring a corrosion-resistant wiring harness with Deutsch connectors and circuit breakers, battery switch, waterproof console, cartridge-style livewell pumps and an automatic bilge pump. The boat is prewired with heavy-duty, 6-gauge trolling motor wire with a 50-amp breaker.
The X2200 comes loaded with standard features, such as hydraulic steering, a hydraulic jack plate with gauge, built-in recessed trim tabs, three plumbed livewells, raw-water washdown, digital gauges, pop-up cleats, 12-volt DC power receptacle, stainless-steel hardware and custom-fitted marine upholstery. It comes on a custom-built, all-aluminum tandem-axle trailer, which features four welded bunks, torsion bar axles (no springs to rust) and a non-skid, hydraulic surge brake actuator.
Running and Fishing
At 21 feet, 8 inches and with an 8-foot, 2-inch beam, the X2200 has the brawn to tackle larger bays. And with a 250 hp rating and the company’s Pad-Vee hull, it will approach the 70 mph range. Yet, once you escape the pack and begin trolling in less than a foot of water in the backcountry, you’ll realize what a serious fishing machine it is.
With large decks, walk-around gunwales, a smooth, fast, dry ride, shallow draft and ample passenger seating, the X2200 proves a great crossover boat for flats, bays and backwaters alike. – MM
LOA……21’8″
**BEAM……8’2″
DRAFT……12″
WEIGHT……1,800 lbs.
FUEL……56 gals.
MAX HP……250
MSRP……Upon Request**
_American Marine Sports / Groveland, Florida / 352-429-8989 / _www.americanmarinesports.com
