18 foot Seacraft...too heavy

toadfish · #1 07-30-2002, 03:00 PM

Well, today I put my 1985 18' Seacraft that I have been working on for the past year in the water only to see that the scuppers (just installed) are completely under the water, and the water line is just at the motor well drain holes. The engine is a 200 mercury, which was on the boat when I bought it a year ago. I suspected that it may be too heavy, but the previous owner said.."oh no, i've had this engine on here for several years and the boat is fine." Well, it may be fine if you also play Russian roulette on the weekends but I am not about to go offshore with the water line almost level with the deck. I just overhauled the engine also. Anyone need a 1992 merc offshore engine??!!! The bottom line here is..if you think it may be too heavy, put the boat in the water before you buy it. I still love the boat, just going to have to re-power I guess.

SEAFARI · #2 07-30-2002, 10:06 PM

Hi Toadfish,
Check out the Yamaha 130, its only 358 lbs. Hammer
just put one on his 20' and is very happy with the
performance [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

OTTERLY COOL · #3 07-30-2002, 10:22 PM

HI TOAD

I had a 1975 18 and powered with a johnson 115. That boat was probably a bit heavier than yours and did well with the 115 - a bit over 40 mph actually timed. I was able to fish in the back with anothe person and the scuppers just started to pick up water - by myself they weren't close.

I sold the boat and the guy went out and put a 200 on it and had the same problem you have.

By the way - if the specs on yours are the same as they were on mine, she's only rated for 140 anyway - and I'm positive about that. Mine was an "original" - it was actually built when Bill Potter was still around. I spoke to the factory people at the time and they actually recommended a 115 for optimum performance and safety.

If I remember correctly, the 115 was around 350 lbs. I would recommend that you look for power in that size and weight range. Unless you just want to race, I'm sure you'll will be happy.

toadfish · #4 07-30-2002, 11:47 PM

Thanks for the engine advice fellows. Is that Yammie 130 a four stroke?? I am not sure what the weight of the 200 merc that I have now is but the sucker is big.

John R · #5 07-31-2002, 09:33 AM

Toadfish, you'll want to relocate heavier items up front, move the dual batts up to the front of the console area (less chance they'd get stuffed too). Any other weighty items (especially external livewells) that can go up front would be a plus too like oil tanks etc. Less fat guys in back (like me [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) and those ball scuppers would help too.

The Suzi DF140 would be real sweet performance but it's around the same weight as the merc 200 carb.

Blackwater21 · #6 08-01-2002, 12:17 AM

toadfish,
If i remember correctly that engine only weighs around 375 pounds. Be carefull about the hp rating. The merc 150 and 200 weighs the same and the new 4 stroke and hpdi models are actually heavier than your engine.