1979 MA and 1976 Seafari

[Vezo, Part II]

Though a little early in the game, I need some opinions. I'm getting closer to selling the Whalers and will be ready to begin learning more about refurbing old SeaCrafts. So, the MA has a new plywood transom, unfortunately still 20", with a Johnson 175, both of 1999, and only 160 hours out of the garage. She really needs nothing but a new 72 gallon fuel tank, and a recored fuel hatch.

The 1976 SeaCraft is in need of a I/O to outboard (bracket?) conversion. I have the opportunity to buy a '13 or '14 Suzuki 175 4S, unfortunately also a 20" shaft. Am curious if I should buy a five inch extension for the Johnson and shift it to the Seafari and bracket, and buy the Zuke for the MA.

Ultimately retiring to Hernando Beach Fla, and fishing the gulf. I am excited to snag a ride in a Seafari to check out the differences in the hull. What do you all think?

Thanks in Advance.

Part II

Thanks for the emails, Denny!

[Old'sCool]

I would sell stuff and consolidate into one boat and get it "right"!

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

Though a little early in the game, I need some opinions. I'm getting closer to selling the Whalers and will be ready to begin learning more about refurbing old SeaCrafts. So, the MA has a new plywood transom, unfortunately still 20", with a Johnson 175, both of 1999, and only 160 hours out of the garage. She really needs nothing but a new 72 gallon fuel tank, and a recored fuel hatch.

The 1976 SeaCraft is in need of a I/O to outboard (bracket?) conversion. I have the opportunity to buy a '13 or '14 Suzuki 175 4S, unfortunately also a 20" shaft. Am curious if I should buy a five inch extension for the Johnson and shift it to the Seafari and bracket, and buy the Zuke for the MA.

Ultimately retiring to Hernando Beach Fla, and fishing the gulf. I am excited to snag a ride in a Seafari to check out the differences in the hull. What do you all think?

Thanks in Advance.

Part II

Thanks for the emails, Denny!

A big block Zuke is almost 500 lbs wet weight, so I'd never put one on a bracket! Although it's still a bit heavy for Potter 20' hull, it's a MUCH better fit for the MA than the Seafari, especially if you can move the gas tank forward! The Johnson is only about 375 lbs and would be a much better fit for a bracketed Seafari, where you don't have a console that you can move forward to offset CG shift caused by the bracket.

You're welcome to ride in my Seafari if you can make it to Long Point! It's seen a lot of rough water but is still in good shape despite being all original. Other folks with CC models have commented that my Seafari feels a lot more solid in rough water. I suspect that's due to the increased hull stiffness created by the large cap, tall coamings, and the two 3/4" thick cabin bulkheads tieing it all together.

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by Vezo, Part II

Though a little early in the game, I need some opinions. I'm getting closer to selling the Whalers and will be ready to begin learning more about refurbing old SeaCrafts. So, the MA has a new plywood transom, unfortunately still 20", with a Johnson 175, both of 1999, and only 160 hours out of the garage. She really needs nothing but a new 72 gallon fuel tank, and a recored fuel hatch.

The 1976 SeaCraft is in need of a I/O to outboard (bracket?) conversion. I have the opportunity to buy a '13 or '14 Suzuki 175 4S, unfortunately also a 20" shaft. Am curious if I should buy a five inch extension for the Johnson and shift it to the Seafari and bracket, and buy the Zuke for the MA.

Ultimately retiring to Hernando Beach Fla, and fishing the gulf. I am excited to snag a ride in a Seafari to check out the differences in the hull. What do you all think?

Thanks in Advance.

Part II

Thanks for the emails, Denny!

You can never have to many seacrafts, Just ask me I only have 8 and want 2 more! You can get the 5" extensions from bay manufacturing. Seems like they are around $500 bucks for the kit, that includes drive shaft extension and any other parts to mount it up. Also on the older Johnson you can get a 25" mid and lower for less than the kit cost. parts for that are everywhere.

If it was me I would buy the Suzuki 175 20" or even better yet a lighter 140 Suzuki motor (the 175 is too heavy) and stick it on you MA since it is a newer 20" transom and ride the crap out of it while you work on the seafari. Once the seafari is done, get the Bay extension kit then rig the Suzuki on it. Then you can ride on the seafari with the good newer motor while you fix the MA to 25" height. Once done with that buy another newer motor for it. Sell the Johnson and use that money to buy a new hermco bracket!

Originally Posted by Old'sCool

I would sell stuff and consolidate into one boat and get it "right"!

Or he could buy 2 more seacrafts and have 5 boats! Just kidding, Some times I think I need to do what you are saying Old,s. I just don't seem to be able to part with them tho! lol

[cdavisdb]

To emphasis Bushwackers advice, DON'T put too much weight on the transom of that Seafari. In terms of horse power, the 175 is far more than you need. That boat is designed for relatively low, light power and more weight on the transom makes it impossible to plane much below 16-17 knots. In the short chop environment you will have off Hernando Beach, there will be many a day when you will want to be running 15 knots or less, and you will have a long way to run for grouper. When your choices on a long run are 20 knots and beating vs 7 knots and wallowing, both suck. I owned a 20 Seafari, fished it hard, way offshore in the Gulf and the only thing that bugged me about the boat was its inability to plane slow. For sure, that was far more important than a few extra knots of top speed.

[Vezo, Part II]

I'm very happy with the current set up with the MA. Intend to install dual "crash pumps" when seriously fishing the Gulf, with the 20 inch transom. But I have gotten more comfortable with the engine shroud secured and silicon caulked.

My brothers 87/88 18sf with Johnson 150 would run with me at very close to 50 mph, non GPS'ed. He now has a Suzuki 140, 25 inch shaft. Lost some top end and hole shot but significant fuel savings and reliability. Nice combination.

Unfortunately I commited to another trip, the same weekend as Long Point. Did the planners screw up as bad as my party? Come to find out we're all fishing on Mothers Day!?!

But I will be down every other month and have got to go back to see my friends in Palm City. Thank you for the offer. Definite rain check.

Old's Cool, I am Stupid Loyal! I am having trouble parting with my 1987 Toyota SR5 4X4 ExtraCab. Purchased used in early 1991 with 49,000 miles for 6K. Now at 325,000 and still semi strong. Trying to get 1200, HaHa. 24 years as my daily driver!!! Come to think of it, she's hooked to the Seafari now. Think I'll get a pic for the patina!!!!