New Member - New Project

[GrumpyDuck]

Hey everyone! I picked up a 1978 23' SeaCraft a few weeks ago that's in need of some work. The hull is in great shape and the stringers look good but the deck and gunwale need some work, not to mention fittings and so forth topside.

Seems like most folks here have really nice looking boats or are working towards that. As much as I like gelcoat and bright white this thing is primarily used for guided duck hunts on open water so flat gray, tan and green is about as fancy as it will get.

I had to get her set up in a hurry about half-way through this past season and took a few shortcuts I'm not happy with - the "console" being a prime example. The previous owners made some curious decisions as far as the deck goes too. Taking serious water over the transom or bow would have been an issue since it would go directly to the bilge. The aft "hatch" has a gap between it and the deck of about two inches, and the forward carpeted decking just lifts up to reveal the bilge.

For now the big ticket items are to fix up the gunwale, strip down the deck, put hatches in, fabricate a center console and figure out whether the internal tank is any good. I've had to run top-side tanks due to fuel contamination I didn't have time to address.

So far all I've had time to do is get my decoys unloaded and start draining the internal tank.

I've been in sponge mode since I found this forum and a few others. Lots of good knowledge to absorb. I intend to put the info on props and glasswork to good use in the near future.

I live in central NC but mostly use the boat on the Pamlico Sound west of Hatteras.