Repower 1978 SeaCraft Sceptre Outboard

[CarlaDee]

Hey gang - I'm fired up that I am buying my dad's old 1978 Sceptre back from a friend. He has done some great resto work on the boat (closed transom, bracket, hardtop) since he bought it from me several years ago. Great to keep her in the family!

I am moving her from SC (South Carolina) to SF (San Francisco). A couple of questions for the group:

1. She has a blown 225 Optimax now. I am planning on repowering. Would love thoughts. The 225 Opti has served her well (I put one on in 1998ish and then my friend repowered in 2008ish).

2. Suggestions on transporting from South Carolina to SF. She has a newish dual-axle trailer, but I am planning on transporting her wo the trailer because it appears to much less expensive that way. Would love thoughts.

Thanks in adavance!

[FAS]

nice looking ride,good luck with your venture

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by CarlaDee

I am moving her from SC (South Carolina) to SF (San Francisco). A couple of questions for the group:


Suggestions on transporting from South Carolina to SF. She has a newish dual-axle trailer, but I am planning on transporting her wo the trailer because it appears to much less expensive that way. Would love thoughts.

Thanks in adavance!

Check out U-ship, You can get bids both ways. On your trailer pulled across or just the boat. It wont be cheep but you may find some one on this site needing a pull back and get a better deal than a scheduled pull with a local provider.

[Bigshrimpin]

Keep the trailer. The amount of money you'll save vs. west coast pricing will cover your Uship cost to transport. Also you could pack it to the brim and tow it yourself. I did this twice 3300 miles = 3.5 days. It's a great way to break in a new'ish trailer. Where are you going to keep it? Berkeley Marina has a nice Dry trailer storage area at fairly reasonable rates ($100/month) . You can leave the boat on a trailer there (and come and go as you please) and not have to worry about storing in a slip. http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/Parks_R..._1st_2015.aspx

You might consider twin 115's or a kicker engine. The coastline is unforgiving unlike the east coast.




P.S. - that boat is perfect for SF Bay (salmon/albacore/halibut) and Delta (salmon/sturgeon/striped bass) . . . and you need a radar for the FOG.

[CarlaDee]

Thanks for the comments - I went ahead and put a post on u-ship.

Bigshrimpin' are you out on the West Coast? I saw MA on your profile. Very helpful comments and I agree - can't wait to explore the coastline.

[CarlaDee]

Hopefully not from "too close" like you were suggesting I avoid

[Bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by CarlaDee

Thanks for the comments - I went ahead and put a post on u-ship.

Bigshrimpin' are you out on the West Coast? I saw MA on your profile. Very helpful comments and I agree - can't wait to explore the coastline.

I lived out in Davis, CA from 2004 - 2008 when the ex-wife was in grad school. I was lucky to have met Strick who was redoing his 23 at the time. I got to explore the Delta and even kept my boat in Berkeley Marina for a period. Fishing is better on the east coast, but you can fish year round out there. Good Luck!!

If you decide to put a new powerhead on that Opti or buy a newer Merc . . . BoatMasters in Livermore. They are one of the largest Merc dealers in CA and look after a lot of the professional bass boats. I used to buy some of their blown motors before they moved to their new location. http://www.boatmasters.com/ They had a new powerhead same day service which I always thought was awesome!! Outboard motor shop was the other big place out there, but they weren't cheap. Everything will seem expensive coming from SC (except produce and home depot helpers) . . . takes some adjustment.

[bgreene]

How's the ride with the bracket ?

Any differentials noticeable, such as bow rise etc.............

[Jeff79Sceptre]

I remember this boat! I am just finishing mine as we speak. Seadek is going in tonight. I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

[CarlaDee]

Bigshrimpin - I think I'm buying a motor from boatmasters tomorrow. thanks for pointing me in their direction!

bgreene - i haven't actually been in the boat with the bracket, but my friend says that it is a noticeable improvement in ride.

jeff - yours looks great!