Looking for some guidance in adding spray rails to a 1971 20ma

[Seafordseacraft423]

Hey seacraft lovers I'm looking for some guidance on adding spray rails to a 1971 seacraft 20 ma. I love my boat best riding 20 cc in the game. I've owned her since I'm 12 and I'm now 26 she's lived through some rough times and a few motors, after a transom replacement and a new deck I'm looking to find a way after years of getting wet in the northeast bays to reduce spray on those windy days. Will the adding of spray rails reduce the spray being deflected from the hull and if so how are they attached are they glassed in or through bolted and where can they be found or made thanks in advance for any input sorry for any informailities on the post I'm new to the classic seacraft community!

[McGillicuddy]

Welcome aboard, Seafordsea...I wish I had a Seacraft when I was 12. probably not much I can add that you don't already know... some will opine that the spray rails will hamper the ride. It may, but in sloppy seas the handling difference may go unnoticed most of the time. if its blowing and snotty you'll still get wet. My suggestion - add a Seafari or Sceptre to the fleet for foul days offshore. Or a T-top with removable doghouse enclosure...

Several guys have added spray rails but I don't recall anyone saying it was the best thing they'd done. I'm sure they'll chime in soon. Terry had made some for Marshtackie and he was pretty happy about limiting the salt in his vino, low sodium diet, and what not...

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...ht=spray+rails

Post some pics of your ride...

Cheers,

McGill

[joshmon71]

don't. no need. better uses of your money and time. and holes below waterline, and if you don't have access to the inner hull to thru bolt, then your screwing. its not the fun kind of screwing either you'll figure out in a few years. never seen em ever glassed without some form of screw or bolt. it violates the KISS principle. did i say its below the waterline? on a 20 how many bilge pumps u have 1 or 2? 1 is none like they say in some circles.

you have some spray, dress warmer, get grundens, build a console/doghouse. its a 20 footer its gonna bet wet.

[DMVAT]

To Joshmon71 - The comments you are receiving have been very negative and are not true. I have put spray rails on approximately 35-40 boats in my lifetime from 16-25 foot in length. Most of them 20ft Sea Crafts. In 1970 I purchased a 20ft open fisherman Sea Craft where I spent the next year customizing it. One of the many things I did was make and install teak spray rails. They are still as good as new and make the ride 85-90% dryer along with trim tabs and knowledgable boat handling. The oldest Sea Craft was a 1969 model and is still operating today. I even installed them on several of Flip Pallot's flats boats. I provided a life time warranty with all my work and have never had to make even one repair. If you would like to know more or have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 850-925-9925. Pictured is my boat today that I purchased and customized in 1970

[FishStretcher]

I have a bit of the same issue on a 20MA. I run in Buzzards Bay and the Gulf of Maine.

Bushwacker posted recently that trim tabs might help significantly as when piloting into a wind, you tend to have to steer to avoid getting pushed off course.

This dips the windward rail and chines which tends to flip spray into the hull.

Proper operation of trim tabs can correct or even overcorrect the lean and make for a drier ride, if I read his response correctly.

I plan on trying it next season. I plan on doing this instead of spray rails.