Bass Relief- A Seafari 25 rehab

[FishStretcher]

I have a thread under general, but seeing as I keep posting rehab/modification progress, I figured I would post it here.

I finally named the boat- "Bass Relief". I think the dinghy will be named "Art Minor". Unless I do build the collapsible dinghy for transom mount- that will be called "Packed Launch".


I have been filling a jillion screw holes in the deck so that rain water doesn't further damage any balsa core deck.

Like I mentioned elsewhere- these got either JB Weld "Water Putty" epoxy putty, or the runnier PC-11 putty. Then a layer of duratec vinylester primer- it is a bit old, from last year, but it kicked fine. I think it freezes well during winter.

Apart from slight discoloration, the putties cover well. The PC11 discolored, the JB Weld didn't. But it is too firm to be worked into smaller places.

Here is a before and halfway- at the first layer of vinylester primer stage. I filled the ~2" hole with water putty and belt sanded flush. The corner drains are ~3/4" diameter. They will get drip tray to drain toward the keel, I think. But that hasn't been implemented yet.

I used polyester body filler for the holes in the cabin roof, and gel coated that straight away. Once I wash the last of the PVA off, I will take pictures.

I just ordered a gallon of VE resin and some divinycell- there are a few hatches that need looking after. My trim tabs are mounted funny, across the outer and 2nd from outer steps in teh hull, so making a set of extensions might be in my future. Plus a (maybe convertible) hard top made of nidacore/glass/VE is planned. Or maybe the old basket weave carbon I have. I can't use it under water- it will corrode everything else, and wick water into the structure.

[bilgerat]

looks good, whats the round deck plate for?

[FishStretcher]

I haven't opened it, but assume it is the USCG required fuel tank connection/inspection plate for the forward 50 gallon tank?

I ordered some mcmaster carr fiberglass square tubing today. $10 per 5 foot length. To hold tanks down/in without rotting away, unlike the previously installed 2x 4s. A mushy 2x4 was holding the aft tank in place. I just about shoveled it off the top of the tank! I literally scooped some of it up with my hands. Decomposition in action!

[FishStretcher]

Work on this has slowed, but hope to river test it this weekend. I spent the $300 for the dumb water distribution housing and overflow bottle. It doesn't leak water into the bilge now. The overflow bottle is going forward to under the cockpit sole. Maybe the batteries, too. Not sure how that will crank. But I have lots of 4/0 welding cable. Can't hurt engine access or center of mass.

Scraping the teak and maybe replacing canvas is next. I only got half the parts with the boat- I want to get back to the image below. Or a hardtop.

And finish sanding my custom fiberglass adapting radome pylon from a 160mm square (Furuno?) mount to Lowrance G3 broadband. If Lowrance put the sticker on straight, that would be nice. It isn't like radomes are free.

[FishStretcher]

Originally Posted by bilgerat

looks good, whats the round deck plate for?

Allowing water into the balsa core, of course. Oh the sins of engine installers past...

[FishStretcher]

Finally got it wet. I don't think it leaks now. We have had record breaking rain here in the NE, so some water sloshed into the bilge, so I am not sure. But it only after I heeled the boat hard over.

I have never owned an I/O before, and i don't know the river, so I took it slow. But basic stats:

Horizon 350 MAG MPI 300 HP. Bravo 3. 2.20:1 reduction. 22"pitch. Props aren't perfect, but not bad.

Boat probably had 30 gallons of fuel, 450 lbs of crew and 300 lb of miscellaneous stuff.

Cruise at 3900 RPM was 27 knots/31 MPH. Just goosing it to 4700 accidentally for a second, and the boat hadn't caught up yet (there is a LOT of throttle left) got to 33 knots/38MPH. I think I would need the right prop to hit 50MPH, but 45 is no sweat I have to imagine. Until I opened the windshield I had no idea I was going that fast! Even without a top, you are out of the wind.

The trim tabs are VERY effective. I can easily steer the boat with them. The boat is tender in roll. I need to learn how to use tabs.

There is some oil in the bilge. Not sure if it sloshing around and a years worth of wrenching oil residue in there or I may need a rear main or oil pan.

[FishStretcher]

More pics- just goosing it out of the hole. The Bravo 3 is outstanding!

[FishStretcher]

one more

[RUSTYNTABATHA]

congrats !!! nothing like getting the boat wet !!!!!

[FishStretcher]

The boat at headway speed. You can see where the side exit scuppers lie- sometimes people want to compare. The I/O housing and trim tab pistons are just peeking above the waterline.

Again, this is more or less "lightship". 2 guys, minimal gear and maybe 30 gallons of fuel.