1979 sf18

[ericallen01]

Well after glassing all the great posts up on this site finally found a 1979 SF18 and am ready to restore it - seems a well-balanced boat with a 223 lb 3 cyl Yamaha 90hp. It has original gelcoat and pretty solid cockpit floor and decks, very well cared for by previous owner. We don't get many old SeaCrafts up this way! Plan to run it for the spring (she's currently on Georgian Bay, Ontario) and get a feel this little classic.

[otterhound]

Great find and a great boat as well! We have a '78 18' SF with a '92 Evinrude 120 hp as well and it is a great riding, well balanced ride. I had to play with the motor height, put on a 4 blade Apollo stern lifting prop and it made a huge difference. I think you'll be happy with that 90 on there, the weight is nice. Enjoy!
Rod

[FAS]

looks like a pretty clean ride

[fishfullthinking]

nice ride

[uncleboo]

Nice rig you have there. When you have a minute, would you post a picture of the splashwell with the motor tilted up? I have the one that came with my 18 and contemplating putting it back in. Thanks in advance!

[ericallen01]

Thanks - she runs great in the big steep chop of Georgian Bay.

Stats (before a tune up and cable adjustment):

Plane 14mph / 2400rpm
Cruise 28mph
WOT 36mph / 5200rpm

Dry decks

A little spray quartering up 3' chop at 20 mph in a 30 kt breeze otherwise very dry ride. She tilts nicely into the wind like a good SeaCraft.

I'm used to a bit more engine weight in the stern going downwind!

[Beaver]

Nice find!!! I have a 1975 with a similar motor (90 Tohatsu). I am still surprised at how well a 90 will push these boats. I love the Yamaha 90. My first boat had one and it just wouldn't quit. Congrats.

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by otterhound

Great find and a great boat as well! We have a '78 18' SF with a '92 Evinrude 120 hp as well and it is a great riding, well balanced ride. I had to play with the motor height, put on a 4 blade Apollo stern lifting prop and it made a huge difference. I think you'll be happy with that 90 on there, the weight is nice. Enjoy!
Rod

Sage advice there.

Minimum plane speed is perhaps the holy grail of performance parameters.

The horsepower wars have warped our thinking.

[ericallen01]

Here's the splashwell

[uncleboo]

Thanks for posting. My original bulkhead protrudes farther forward than yours. If I decide to reinstall mine, it will be modified to look similar to yours so it takes up less space in the cockpit. Thanks again.