My $600.00 20' Seafari

[bigeasy1]

As some of you know,I saw a boat that looked exactly like a 20'Seafari on my local craigslist for $600.The seller had listed it as a "Seacrest"
When I saw it,I said to myself that this has to be a Seafari and maybe the seller didn't know that.
Needless to say some of this sites experts set me straight and said get your butt over there and buy that boat,it's not a Seacrest,its a SeaCraft.
I got a hold of the seller and we had a great talk about the boat.I told him it was a Seacraft.He promised to give me the first shot at it as I was the first caller.

After that he changed the name to Seacraft.He was a man of his word and held the boat for me,and I drove the 3 miles from my house to his,and bought it for $600.00.
He told and showed me all the calls he got for it once he changed the name to Seacraft.He got calls from the Carolinas. he had no idea of what he had,but realized pretty quick after all the calls that it was a special boat.

***By the way There is no hull id # but there is a number given to it by the state of Mass.
it's a 1969 hull and if I'm correct hull ids weren't required then.There is however a riveted on Seacraft capacity plate listing the hp at 140 and people at 6 etc.***

This seller was a great guy,polite,honest,air force retired F15 ground guy.We hit it off right away and he said he would snd me the history and chain of owners.It spent most of its time in vermont on lake Champlain,and previous on the CT.shore.

Anyway the boat is in incredibly good condition,not a single stress crack,hatches are all solid,The hull is remarkable in its condition,never been bottom painted and the gelcoat is extremely good.There is one gouge just below the outer chine,but its tiny and only into the gelcoat and not the glass..Even the cuddy that he said was bad is in very good shape the only thing is the carpet on the inner headliner is missing,and there are no cushions(fine with me)
The trailer is also in very good shape.
The engine,a 1985 ish 150 HP VRO may be locked up,as it wont turn over,but he said the guy who had it said it ran great,maybe some oil solvent into the cylindes would break it free.It seem like an awful big motor for that boat.
I'm not really sure what my use for it will be,but I may just use it as it is and have fun with it.Maybe a used four stroke in the 115 to 130 hp range,What do you think.

**Oh yeah,the transom was done over in 2000 by a professional shop in VT,and seems very solid.

Well I've rambled on enough so here's a few pictures,my batteries in the camera died so this is all I have for now.
I have more questions for you all so I'll post more pics of the tiny few problem areas as i get to them and will need your help.
Any advice or ideas,please feel free to throw them out there.**One thing's for sure,the name has to go"
Thanks all

[Bushwacker]

Hey John,

That boat looks to be in GREAT shape! That's a hell of a deal for $600, even if the motor is junk! From the looks of the top cap above the bulkheads, I'd say it's probably about a '72! The edge of the cap, just below the instrument panel is straight on yours but was curved on earlier models. A '69 model would have been a Moesly boat, which I believe had an aluminum bow rail with 4 stanchions in it, while your is the later 3-stanchion SS rail. Will send you some more info to the email address you sent me. Denny

[Old'sCool]

Awesome deal!!

[flyingfrizzle]

The second leads to a 3rd, that's all I got to say. Cool bote! Enjoy

[bobbert]

Great Find. Welcome to the addicted.

[bigeasy1]

Actually I'm addicted to a few things.At one point I had five boats in addition to my 23 Tsunami.I sold all of them,and with the exception of only one of them,I wish I never sold any of them.
I'm addicted to rods and reels and trolling spoons and other salmon related fishing gear.I have at least 40 rods,30 reels,mostly Shimano and daiwa line counter level winds,got at least a thousand spoons and 50 flashers and attractors on board not to mention a load of dipsy divers etc etc.The sickness never ends.
Funny I cant seem to get enough rod holders on the Tsunami,between the rocket launchers and riggers and gunwhale rod holders I'm up to 26 rod holders.

I would love to find another 23 Tsunami or Sceptre in good condition,I'd put that one up on the great lakes as well.I'd even paint it red like my tsunami,just a different name.
Addictions come in many forms,but boats and fishing gear are a far better addiction than drugs or a bar room,although the drugs and booze would be cheaper.

[Bryan A.]

Nice find!

I'll give you $1200, double your money.

[bilgerat]

Great find!!!. I had a 75 merc on My 72 and if 2 growed up men were fishing at the same time water would be coming up in the floor through the scuppers a few inches deep. , Id think with a 150 Johnnyrude it would be ankle deep!!!

[bigeasy1]

Originally Posted by bilgerat

Great find!!!. I had a 75 merc on My 72 and if 2 growed up men were fishing at the same time water would be coming up in the floor through the scuppers a few inches deep. , Id think with a 150 Johnnyrude it would be ankle deep!!!

I know the feeling,same happens in my Tsunami.If it wasn't for the flappers I made for the scuppers we'd be in ankle deep water when fighting a fish.

How was the 75 Merc in the performance dept??

[ocuyler]

Originally Posted by bigeasy1

Actually I'm addicted to a few things. At one point I had five boats in addition to my 23 Tsunami. I sold all of them,and with the exception of only one of them, I wish I never sold any of them.
...

Addictions come in many forms,but boats and fishing gear are a far better addiction than drugs or a bar room, although the drugs and booze would be cheaper.

Such is my life...