23 Seacraft Hull Design and the Silverhawk

[jimmy]

I almost pulled the trigger on a 23' Seacraft last year but I noticed a number of minor imperfections with the finish work. Rough glass etc., nothing terrible but for more than 50k I couldn't go through with it. I have always thought the Seacraft has the best lines of any CC and one of the best rides. I ended up buying a Silverhawk because it has the same hull and look of the 23 Seacraft and ultimately it was less money and included the T-Top and a head - anyway...

On other web sites the members make alot out of deadrise. The Silverhawk is advertised as an 18 degree variable deadrise. According to this other site I should be getting my teeth kicked in. The ride is incredible, as good as the Contenders I have been on and I have been told as good as the Regulators in that size.

Why is the ride so good on these hulls if the deadrise is not 24+ degrees? What is it about the variable deadrise? I'm also curious about the history of the hull design. Hope its OK for me to post even though I don't own a Seacraft just the next best thing.

[capesams]

Jimmy:

Welcome to the site, silverhawk was a seacraft, close enough [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

seacraft variable deadrise hull, softer ride due to its vee- like shape; min. of water deflection, air pockets created by steps and the natural stiffness that the steps provide. most experts regard the seacraft hull design as one of the softest riding boats in rough water on the market. It's notable softer riding than many boats with deeper vees.the low deadrise[flatter] outer panels of the seacraft vdh hull design and the reduction of the vee shaped displacement created by the steps into the vee shape of the hull give it far more lateral roll resistance than comparable pure vee hulls. BOY that was a mouth full. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ................steve

[ May 13, 2002, 08:00 PM: Message edited by: steve ]

[Scott]

Jimmy....welcome Thats a real nice boat you have there!!!

Yeah all the stuff Steve says....plus...I think and I emphasize THINK .... that is an average measurement of deadrise angle. Since the boat literally has three different planes, each carrying a different degree of deadrise....they get averaged together to come up with that number....therefore the angle from the keel to the first strake is very close to 25-30 degrees (second plane is something like 16-18 degrees and the outboard one is 12-14 degrees) averaged together give you the 20 degree deadrise (for SeaCraft that is) Additionally our boats have a real sharp entry which helps alot....

Has anyone else heard this theory ???

[Billybob]

You hear the term variable deadrise kicked around a lot, some even refer to the difference between entry and transom deadrise as variable - well no Sh*t ! The thing about the Seacraft hull is really those distinct steps, the vertical edges of the steps provide great tracking, the steep center deadrise gives you a soft ride while the outboard flatter deadrise adds stability.I believe the design was patented in the beginning, but has since run out and I've wondered why you don't see more manufacturers using it these days ?

[FELLOW-SHIP]

BOY STEVE AND SCOTT SAID IT ALL.
FOR ME THIS IS THE BIG “WHY” THE TRUE KNOWLEDGEABLE BOAT OWNER’S GET SEACRAFTS, AND “WHY” THERE IS NOT A BETTER 23’ BOAT ON THE MARKED AND “WHY” ANYONE WOULD BE WILLING TO SPEND ALL THE TIME, $$ AND ENERGY TO RE BUILD ONE.
FELLOW-SHIP [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[hermco]

Potter tells me he wants to get a hold of an old Seacraft hull and incorporate some design improvements he has come up with and test them.Could be an interesting project.
[img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Scott]

D.H.

Can you give us any hints of whats up his sleeve???

Anything to do with his bracket (Seamark)??

[hermco]

Mr. Potter has remarked several times about his desire to implement and test a redesigned hull but I do not know what his ideas are.He is on vacation till next week.When he returns I will ask him about the design of the original Seacrafts and his ideas about changing and why. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] Nothing to do with the bracket alltho building it into the hull would'nt be a bad idea.I think he wants to redo the bottom to make it ride even better somehow. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

[ May 14, 2002, 03:03 PM: Message edited by: HermCo ]

[jimmy]

So I'm not crazy - it is a great, dry, stable ride despite what the deadrise degree is. Thanks for the responses and thanks for allowing me to lurk here even though I don't own a Seacraft.

What is this guy Potter doing these days? Is he affiliated with any boat manufacturer or is he only designing hulls? I hope he doesn't change what the 23 looks like above the water line, it doesn't need anything as far as I am concerned!

[hermco]

The guy Potter is retired but is one of those guys that allways has some boat project or idea he is working on.