'73 Seafari 25-bringing her back

Capt.Nate · #1 05-12-2016, 12:43 PM

I am lucky enough to be gifted my dad's 25 Seafari. It has been sitting for about 3 years so it's needing some TLC and a few tuneups and repairs here and there. I thought I'd post some pics because I've really enjoyed thoroughly diving into this site and reading a fraction but many of the threads.

My dad bought the boat in 2000 and it was pretty close in the shape it is in today except for maintenance and a Yamaha 250 repower. For a long time I was waffling on buying my own boat even after he offered me the Seafari but I am excited to get her back on the water and show my family what a beaute she is.

Boat is currently in Charleston being worked on and once complete will make the journey down to St. Pete. Thanks to this forum I feel I've made the right decision of putting some money into her so she can once again be enjoyed by our family.

Capt.Nate · #2 05-12-2016, 12:57 PM

Pic

cdavisdb · #3 05-12-2016, 03:24 PM

You are a lucky man. The 25 has to be the best rough water boat ever made, anywhere near its size.

I love mine, the perfect boat for me, do at least one Bahama trip in it every year.

Very interested in performance. Yours has a good bit more weight up high than mine. Any sign of the snap roll that plagues many deep Vs? What is your efficient cruise speed and mpg?

Connor

Capt.Nate · #4 05-12-2016, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdavisdb

You are a lucky man. The 25 has to be the best rough water boat ever made, anywhere near its size.

I love mine, the perfect boat for me, do at least one Bahama trip in it every year.

Very interested in performance. Yours has a good bit more weight up high than mine. Any sign of the snap roll that plagues many deep Vs? What is your efficient cruise speed and mpg?

Connor

She's a bit tinder at rest but I've never experienced what I would think of as a snap-roll. I'm certain the weight up top adds to her being tinder, the previous owner had a tuna tower and I'm sure it was removed for that reason. I like the look and function of the current set up but may consider going with a full bimini down the line both for shade and to shed some of the top heavy weight.

I have'nt been at the helm of it in a long time but once I get it back on the water I can give some performance #s.

Bushwacker · #5 05-12-2016, 07:11 PM

Welcome aboard Capt. Nate - you have one of the rarest SeaCraft models and it's good to see you keeping it in the family!

Carl Moesly designed the 25' Seafari to have his patented ballast tank up forward that he used in his race boats. He sold the company to Potter before building one however, and Potter never built any 25's with the ballast tank. They were built only as I/O models, where the weight of the engine is located a couple feet forward of the transom. Most folks that have restored a Seafari have elected to stay with the I/O configuration because of the more forward CG location. However even Connor, who probably has more "wheel time" on a 25 in rough seas than almost anyone else on the forum, says that his I/O model still likes to have more weight forward. I've ridden in Connor's boat and noticed that it will plane at about 12 mph, like all other Moesly designs when run as originally powered. Most extreme deep V hulls will not plane at such a low speed, and my experience with brackets is that moving the engine weight aft by 30" or so tends to significantly raise minimum planing speed. The extra weight of your tower should help offset some of the effects of the bracket, so I'm looking forward to hearing how your boat performs when you get it operational!

cdavisdb · #6 05-12-2016, 07:36 PM

I think I might know who owned that boat before your Dad, a yellow one that had a tuna tower and hard top and twin outboards(and a vicious snap roll). Will check.

Mine has two kinds of "roll". At rest in even tiny chop, it has a quick "skitter" action. Very short, fast, back and forth. Its the only thing about the boats performance I don't like. When the sea gets bigger, it rolls pretty good,as any deep V boat should, but doesn't snap roll like a Formula 223 or similar. With no snap, the bigger roll doesn't bother me. Both actions look like they are related to the VDH hull.

Capt.Nate · #7 05-12-2016, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdavisdb

I think I might know who owned that boat before your Dad, a yellow one that had a tuna tower and hard top and twin outboards(and a vicious snap roll). Will check.

Mine has two kinds of "roll". At rest in even tiny chop, it has a quick "skitter" action. Very short, fast, back and forth. Its the only thing about the boats performance I don't like. When the sea gets bigger, it rolls pretty good,as any deep V boat should, but doesn't snap roll like a Formula 223 or similar. With no snap, the bigger roll doesn't bother me. Both actions look like they are related to the VDH hull.

I know this one had a single outboard when my dad purchased it but it's possible. I also don't think it was ever yellow but worth a check.

Capt.Nate · #8 05-12-2016, 08:14 PM

Thanks Bushwacker. I'll give some performance numbers once up and running. You make a great point with the extra weight up front. As I've been reading the threads I've become better informed about the CB and addition of brackets on SCs. Cool pics of your Seafari btw.

Terry England · #9 05-12-2016, 08:27 PM

Capt. Nate, It's about time we added some class to the Pinellas Peninsula. This place is gitt'in to look like the Ghetto Yacht Club! Drag that thing down from Chucktown and let's ride. (Pssst - When Conner goes to the Bahamas, we'll go down off Anna Maria and gather up all his hogfish!)

1bayouboy · #10 05-12-2016, 09:14 PM

Nate...who's working on her in Charleston??