18' seacraft help

[small45]

just got back from the keys yesterday with my 18'. i just finished it in late july with a raised floor, closed transom and Hermco. it rides well even without trim tabs on yet. i would not say that it's any wetter than my dad's 20'(also in the keys with us) but the ride is not quite as good. although, his is an i/o, so it's not really comparing apples to apples.

i think the liner design is far better than the 20' has as it lends itself to more interior. the factory live well stinks in combo with the 20" transom and low floor drains but that's easily fixed on a rebuild.

i have 150 2s yamaha on the new boat and a 120 omc on my other 18'. i would say that 130 yamaha would be the ideal power for an 18'. i bought the 150 at a deal, but it's more power than the boat needs. did i just say that?

[2182]

small, i just downsized from a 200 on mine if you want to talk about too much power...ive been trying to think of any design flaws all day on the 18, the one thing i dont like is how big the console is. w/ the original layout there is very little room on the sides. previous owner took 6 inches out of it, seems perfect now. it really is the perfect 18 foot boat; and to think i almost signed my life away to buy a new scout instead of getting my old girl.

[small45]

yeah, i'm not a big fan of the original console either. i used one from a 219 mako bay boat on the rebuild. it has similar width dimensions but with the recessed toe kick, it feels much more comfortable to walk around. it also helps that my top mounts to the console not the floor.

i guess that 200 merc was alot of power! i saw 50.3 mph and climbing last week but i honestly could not hold her as i started to trim. i mean it got SQUIRLEY. i'm hoping trim tabs will help as i'm thinking it must be coming off the pad and the motor is about all thats in the water considering the bracket doesn't touch while on plane.

all and all, the 18 is great boat for everything but the long days going deep off the carolinas...thats farther than i'm comfortable with. athough we got into some pretty good seas fri. off of big pine key and she handled them beautifully for about 20 miles.

good thing you passed on the scout...it's fun when poeple realize that your 30+ year old boat will do as much or more than most of the new ones

[76Red18]

Come on Egg, she's only 18'2. I've never been on a 20, so I can't compare it to one. I will say, that set up properly,the 18 is ideal for coastal fishing for 2 anglers. She's too small to be a family boat. Balance is the key. I've set mine up to where when fully loaded the floor is level. It will float with the motor tilted in 12", perfect for huntinn those bronze backs tailing on the grass flats of P. I. Sound. I can't run shallower, but I can float shallower using my trolling motor than most of the big flats skiffs with their heavy ars 250 + hp motors. It excells as an inlet/ pass boat because of stable hull design. I see some big boats in Boca Grande Pass rockin and rollin way worse than mine when the afternoon sea breeze hits a strong outgoing tide. That runs of most of the 22 and under crowd to catch their tarpon elsewhere. On good days I'll run offshore. I've been 20 - 25 miles out many times; the limiting factors being fuel capacity and lack of a buddy boat. If the spring or fall kingfish run is on, I'll even go out 2 or 3 miles on a nasty day and and troll in 3 - 5 footers. Thats about the only time I get wet. Usually in normal conditions,if i start catchin a little spray, I just go faster!No problem.
My only gripe is the rear in floor box. I use mine for storage, but to keep it dry, I plumbed it with an auto 500 gph pump.
Keep the motor light, block off the splash well and use the front box as a ballast tank (plumb it as a fishwell or store heavier items in it). Trim tabs are great, though I mainly use mine to set port/starboard angle of "entry".
I have read that the 18 can ride better than the 20. I would say that if set up properly, they could perform equally. Now saying that, I've also read that he who has owned an 18 has regretted getting rid of it. Some of those guys now own 20's
Oh yeah, almost forgot, If ran at the proper trim it will not pound and is not wet.

[Caymanboy]

Jees guys, you'd a thought I wuz bashing the 18', reread the post, never said it wuz a bad ride, just said probably wusn't as good as a 20', same as a 20' is not a good as a 23', simple waterline lenght math. I said is wuz better than anything in it's class, I'm sure you will be very happy with it, and since I have a 20' I can say that any more than two fisherpeople in it, you might need some more room, sorry to get the heckles up on the 18 owners!!!!!!!! Annnnnnnnd, my 20 is a WETTTTTTTT ride.

[76Red18]

Nothing wrong with your post

[2182]

it does suck fishing w/ more than two people on it, but so does any other boat smaller than a 23. ive got (just counted) 16 rod holders (counting outrigger style on the t-top) and there still just simply isnt enough room. that said, its a fishing machine for 2 people.

[small45]

^^ true. but when you've got fish on, MOST boats are too small. but MOST baots are ugly. at least we look good being cramped

[autombo]

i have a 1979 18'Seacraft with a 150 Merc. and it is the best riding 18' in its class, hands down. However, the only thing i dont like is the low transom.

[vcs]

Here are some pictures of my 18 with hermco bracket