1988 18CC - refresh

[esvboy2007]

Some of you may have come across this post in hulltruth. I was super anxious to get some answers before my permissions were approved by the admin of the classicseacraft site. I had a few general questions, repowering and rebuilding so wasn't sure which forum to put this under. Figured I would settle with general.

I have been fortunate enough to come across an 18CC that has been in dry storage for the last 5 years in Savannah GA. I have been chomping at the bit to get started on this but have to wait for the old motor to be removed.

What I know:
1. Boat was in dry storage for last five years, hull, floor and transom all appear to be solid - I just did a 17' River Ox rebuild with my father last year and do not want to go into that level of work with this boat. The river ox was water logged, foam was removed, stringers rebuild, transom rebuilt etc. I will definitely do it to this vessel if necessary but fingers crossed!
2. Current motor is a 150hp 2stroke Yamaha (~425lb). Motor is being removed as part of a trade, so I get to repower. I am concerned the weight of a 150hp 4stroke will be too much for this rig (~485lb) - some hulltruth posters mentioned a 140 suzuki 4 stroke (~410) or I was thinking a Yamaha 115hp 4 stroke (~380lb) - thoughts on this?
3. I would like to update the console, ive never been a huge fan of the black plexiglass. I want to keep the integrity of the original seacraft but some modern amenities wouldn't hurt. Essentially I'm torn as to if I would want to reuse the teak or just scratch that and go new look completely (leaning toward the latter)

I welcome any and all feedback!! I am brand new to the Seacraft community but have been obsessed with these boats since I was a kid. Excited for a winter project - would love to get it dialed in before next spring. I will keep all updated on progress.

[Old'sCool]

What length engine is the transom set-up for now?

[esvboy2007]

Old'school: I am going to assume 25" but have not measured yet - and we all know what assuming gets you...

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by esvboy2007

Old'school: I am going to assume 25" but have not measured yet - and we all know what assuming gets you...

I think the transoms went to 25 a tad earlier.

[esvboy2007]

I came across this earlier. Again, I haven't measured yet and not sure the difference that the '82 would have vs '88 or SF vs CC but this claims it was cut to accommodate 20"

http://www.classicseacraft.com/broch...ure/index.html

[esvboy2007]

Alright, circling back to this after a significant amount of time away (been a super busy summer). I finally repowered - a guy down the street from me was replacing his twin 150 yamaha 2 strokes with a pair of 4 strokes. He did a lot of offshore fishing and these guys were just too hard on gas. I scooped up the starboard engine for a good price and had it put on. I also had some new canvas cut and my father and I installed the new top on Labor Day weekend. After about 4 hours of purple power, Mary Kate on/off, comet and elbow grease I finally got the boat in respectable condition after spending the last 5 years in dry storage.

Ran like a charm - has a ton of get up and go. Don't have exact numbers but tops out around 5,000RPM MOVING. Was a windy Labor Day weekend on the east coast and she took the sea with no hesitation and not a single drop on captain or first mate. Incredibly dry and comfortable boat for the conditions. Will continue to update as progress is realized. For now enjoy the current pictures.

[TomParis]

glad you are enjoying the boat and she is running good!

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by esvboy2007

. . .
2. Current motor is a 150hp 2stroke Yamaha (~425lb). Motor is being removed as part of a trade, so I get to repower. I am concerned the weight of a 150hp 4stroke will be too much for this rig (~485lb) - some hulltruth posters mentioned a 140 suzuki 4 stroke (~410) or I was thinking a Yamaha 115hp 4 stroke (~380lb) - thoughts on this?
3. I would like to update the console, ive never been a huge fan of the black plexiglass. I want to keep the integrity of the original seacraft but some modern amenities wouldn't hurt. Essentially I'm torn as to if I would want to reuse the teak or just scratch that and go new look completely (leaning toward the latter)

I welcome any and all feedback!! I am brand new to the Seacraft community but have been obsessed with these boats since I was a kid. Excited for a winter project - would love to get it dialed in before next spring. I will keep all updated on progress.

You're right to be concerned about motor weight. The 140 Zuke is almost the same weight as a 150 E-TEC which is a much stronger motor, but a 150 is too much for an 18. (Send a pM to forum member Rickg who repowered his 18 with a 150 E-TEC. Long time member Snookerd has owned a couple of 18's and says the best motor is about a 130 hp 2-stroke at around 330 lbs! You have to remember that the SeaCraft hull is much more efficient than most modern hulls, so it doesn't need a lot of power compared to modern boats, and actually works best with smaller, lighter motors!

[Snookerd]

It's a 25 transom. The best weight to power is a 360lb v4 130 Yamaha. The 88 handles weight pretty well. 150 2 stroke is 47-48 mph. If you are willing to live with the extra stern weight, 425 will work. Handling is better with less weight though.

[Snookerd]

Originally Posted by Snookerd

It's a 25 transom. The best weight to power is a 360lb v4 130 Yamaha. The 88 handles weight pretty well. 150 2 stroke is 47-48 mph. If you are willing to live with the extra stern weight, 425 will work. Handling is better with less weight though.

Once again, it is a 25. The only way it doesn't is if it was cut down to accommodate a 20 after the factory 25 was built. The reason why I know, is I owned a 18SF 88 and 89 and my parents own an 87.