seacraft 18 questions

[fishfullthinking]

Hi guys,

I am new to the forum and have been researching seacraft 18. I currently own 1981 17 mako with 115 optimax. I had this boat for 15 years (re powered once) and it has treated me good. I keep it in my garage and it has been a great boat.

I am looking for boat which will fit in my garage and has a much better ride then 17 mako. I primarily fish out on the ocean in south florida drifting live baits. On calm days I will ran 10-15 miles looking for dolphin.

These are my questions:

1. Which years are good for this boat and which years should I stay away from?

2. Is 115 good power choice or it needs 150?

3. How shallow can the boat run since I like to got to the keys and Flamingo?

4. What kind of numbers can I expect with 115?

5. How does it run in 3 foot chop?

Thank you,
Fishfullthinking

[76Red18]

Hi guys,

I am new to the forum and have been researching seacraft 18. I currently own 1981 17 mako with 115 optimax. I had this boat for 15 years (re powered once) and it has treated me good. I keep it in my garage and it has been a great boat.

I am looking for boat which will fit in my garage and has a much better ride then 17 mako. I primarily fish out on the ocean in south florida drifting live baits. On calm days I will ran 10-15 miles looking for dolphin.

These are my questions:

1. Which years are good for this boat and which years should I stay away from?

2. Is 115 good power choice or it needs 150?

3. How shallow can the boat run since I like to got to the keys and Flamingo?

4. What kind of numbers can I expect with 115?

5. How does it run in 3 foot chop?

Thank you,
Fishfullthinking

Welcome to the SeaCraft world!!

1. Any year is good. Older models might have more transom/floor core rot issues. Mines a 76 and has some soft spots but still takes anything I give it. I think the newer models have a different deck layout than mine.

2. A 115 would be fine unless your seriously overloaded. Mine's seriously overloaded and I don't think I would want less than my 150.

3. Pretty shallow. I need 2' to plane. Fully trimmed and full tabs I'll bump bottom in 15". Running my trolling motor with the main motor tilted, I don't have to get out and push until it gets about 10" .

4. Not sure on the numbers for a 115 but I get 40 mph @ 5400 with a low pitched 15 x 15 prop that I use for offshore. Cruise is about 27 @ 3800. Engine is carbureted, so mpg sucks anyway you look at it.

5. Set the throttle and let her eat!! 20 straight into them, cruise of faster at any other angle. Stable on a drift. Regardless of your transom height, a full splash board is a good idea in any sea.

Trim tabs will make a huge difference in any condition. I can plane @ 12mph; great to be able to do in the 3 - 4' + near shore conditions that I regularly troll in the spring and fall. GET ONE!!

[eggsuckindog]

Its ten times the boat as a 17 Mako, it was built for what you do and the mako was not. The 115 was fine on mine so no problems there. I have a 20 with a 200 Merc and can idle in 18", never really checked the 18 but it was in the keys a good bit. Mine would not fit in the garage with a standard door - the handrail onn the console would hit, different trailer might work but it will be close

[fishfullthinking]

Guys,

Thank you for the info. I will try to keep an eye for one and take a closer look at the actual layout.

How is the factory live well on these boats?

Thank you,
Fishfullthinking

[Greno]

I cut the livewell out of mine and never used it. I wanted some access to the bilge other than the plate under the motor. I put a big pie plate in the baitwell hatch and screwed it down. I don't get any water in the bilge since I did this and resealed the motor well plate, but the deck will certainly fill up.

[eggsuckindog]

The in floor well is marginal - the extra weight of todays motor will probably not make it a good option. I used mine but with a 268lb inline Merc, a well up under a leaning post is probably the best option. Chasing pinfish on your knee's in a well that size is a sport unto itself LOL. I used mine over there for exactly what your doing, plus some Bahama trips. It will be good for net storage or stern anchor storage, I wouldn't cut it out personally.

checkout that one that just went up for sale or there was a real nice one with all the bells and whistles a month or so ago - page back a few

[shaka]

I just picked up an 18'. It fits in my single car garage with a folding tongue trailer. It does not have a grab rail or windshield in order to clear the door. I will modify the windshield one day.

[fishfullthinking]

This is how I have my current boat setup with a swing tongue trailer and it works great. I bought a brand new trailer about year ago and will probably be able to reuse it for sea craft since it is only 1 foot longer then my 17 mako.

The way I would like it set up is 25-30gal stand up live well/leaning post in the back. Use cooler in the console for drinks and fish box in front for fish.

Is the front fish-box good size and well insulated?

Fishfullthinking

[Bigshrimpin]

Is the front fish-box good size and well insulated?

Fishfullthinking

The front fish box is excellent!! It'll hold a 120 quart cooler full of ice for a full day with 300lbs of fish. The boat rides nice too with the extra weight. I trailer so I pull the fishbox drain plug at the ramp.

[Bigshrimpin]

Here's 60lbs of seabass in an ice slush.



Baitwell makes a great anchor locker. The only issue is that fish juice drains down there and makes the rope stink . . . but it doesn't bother me.