1986 Tracker Seacraft 20 budget rebuild

[DonV]

Good choice on tank builders. My brother's bracket is next in line at Mattson's, should be started by Monday. He went with a 27" set back since he's going with a 250 HO G2 eTec which already sits 5" back versus the standard engine. You will not be disappointed with his tank, except the cost of aluminum has gone crazy. If you have the tank measurements I'd lock in the price and get them a deposit quickly so they can get the materials on hand. Colin and Robin are good people who will treat you right.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by Rybones

Looks like a nice find and I'm betting the price was right. As per the picture you have of the materials in the back seat of the truck it looks like mine right now, I'm currently re-doing my transom. In my searches here and on Hulltruth.com, I came across a fuel tank fabricator, I think this is the one I'll probably go with when I'm ready to do my deck and larger tank (possibly bracket). If I recall correctly, I saved the link because of some posts I read and pictures where I saw of the quality work, to include multiple interior baffles that this outfit did on tank fabrication for a 20 SeaCraft.

https://www.customaluminumfueltanksfl.com/custom-tanks

Also, judging by the vegetation from your pictures it looks like you might be in south west FL area like me. Although I'm down In Naples, these guys are in south Tampa, still close enough for me.

I also noticed it looks like you may need a console, there is someone here on CSC with one redoing a 78 or 79 SF20 with one available, likely cheap.

If you get a chance in the next few days, could you measure the width of the transom notch on your boat and share that with me? Mine is a 1974 with a 20" transom and an original wider opening that I am going to raise 6" and close-in some, just not sure how much I should narrow it by and hoping you measurement will give me a minimum basis.

Good luck with the build, keep us posted with picks when you can!

At the top of the cap, the width of the transom notch is 33”. At the bottom of the notch the corners are radiused, but if I were to extend the lines of the notch to make these radiuses a point it would be 31” wide across the bottom.

I’m in Jupiter, on the other coast. For the console, I got the original one with the boat but it was way too big for what I’m looking for. I put it on Craigslist and have already got another one here that will give me some more usable floor space. I have had the week off of work and have pretty much been working on the boat all day until way after dark, the work is slightly ahead of the postings.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by DonV

Good choice on tank builders. My brother's bracket is next in line at Mattson's, should be started by Monday. He went with a 27" set back since he's going with a 250 HO G2 eTec which already sits 5" back versus the standard engine. You will not be disappointed with his tank, except the cost of aluminum has gone crazy. If you have the tank measurements I'd lock in the price and get them a deposit quickly so they can get the materials on hand. Colin and Robin are good people who will treat you right.

I do a good bit of aluminum fabrication for a living, I’ll be making the tank myself out of 1/8” 5052. I got a handful of quotes on getting one made, the cheapest was sunshine tanks at $780.

[Jared]

Since the console was mentioned...

My main goal with my rebuild here is to optimize the boat for my style of fishing, which is usually 2 or more people drifting live and dead baits or deep dropping. This sometimes creates multiple hook up situations where moving around the boat to deal with the fish is important, so I want to maximize the floor space to ease this. The original console that I got with the boat was way too big, length and width wise. I debated in my head cutting it and narrowing it both directions, but for the amount of work required I didn’t think it was worth it.

I found this one on Craigslist for a good deal that is a few inches taller which gives me more space to flush mount electronics and it’s 4 1/2” narrower. It also removes the front seat, which I plan to put an Engel 65 with a cushion in its place. This saves around 5” in overall length. I still may cut this console and narrow it another 4”, haven’t made up my mind on that yet. I plan to move the console and leaning post forward 4-5” from the original location to help get a little more weight forward to offset the engine weight.

It came with a nice prewired switch panel and nice big access door. When it comes time to rig it I can sit Indian style inside easily.

[hobiekanobie]

Hey Jared,
What part of jupiter? I am out in the farms. We have a 20SF with a bracket and DF140. I have been chatting with Rybones about redoing my floor and putting a tank below decks.... let me know if you need a hand wiring the boat - I do marine electronics for a living.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by hobiekanobie

Hey Jared,
What part of jupiter? I am out in the farms. We have a 20SF with a bracket and DF140. I have been chatting with Rybones about redoing my floor and putting a tank below decks.... let me know if you need a hand wiring the boat - I do marine electronics for a living.

Small world, I’m in the farms too, on the south end. I have considered using a DF140 on this project, I have seen some older ones on craigslist I could afford but I don’t have the budget for a bracket. How do you like that setup?

For marine electronics, I’m looking for a local supplier other than getting raped by west marine or bow buying 2 packs of terminals at a time or having to order online if you know of a place you’d recommend. I will be in the market for a transducer, GPS, and also radio and VHF soon as well if you sell those things.

[hobiekanobie]

Ill send you a PM

[Rybones]

Jared, thanks for the numbers so quick. I like and agree with everything you say about the size and use of your console, I should do the same for just those reasons but contrary to my intent when I bought the boat, Im trying to keep it as close as I can (for my purposes) to original(for now..). But that is a really nice looking console you have there, what/where is it from?

Hobiekanobie and I have talked a good bit about our "big plans" for our boats. I have a feeling(no, I KNOW)you two are going to be far ahead of me a lot sooner. You guys should defiantly get together being so close, fact is at some point your going to need help on each of your respective projects so its a reciprocal no-brainer that grows and lends to a the generations of CSC brain-trust (little too much?). I'll be coming through Jupiter with my ride in the second week of July and again in early august so maybe I could stop in and we could all have a good laugh at my near future glass work and fairing abortion.

DonV, thanks for the comment on the tank, yours is like a good housekeeping seal of approval or better yet, papal approval. I'm very curious about their brackets too... but I really like the idea of a glass bracket... but I have no evidence or even theory of why glass over aluminum, just seems right. Of course 500 years ago we all KNEW the earth was flat.

[DonV]

Not too sure about "papal approval", that's way above my head!!

The main reasons my brother is having an aluminum bracket is the lead time to have one built is pretty far out there and as always, the main reason is cost. At $3500+ for a fiberglass versus $2000 for a single powder coated aluminum made it an easier choice. Actually it was $2200 with the slide out dive ladder brackets installed. Good luck!

[manitunc]

Originally Posted by Jared

Small world, I’m in the farms too, on the south end. I have considered using a DF140 on this project, I have seen some older ones on craigslist I could afford but I don’t have the budget for a bracket. How do you like that setup?

For marine electronics, I’m looking for a local supplier other than getting raped by west marine or bow buying 2 packs of terminals at a time or having to order online if you know of a place you’d recommend. I will be in the market for a transducer, GPS, and also radio and VHF soon as well if you sell those things.

Even smaller world, I also have a home in the farms, north side of Indiantown. If you need any parts or help, just let me know. I am selling the house, so a lot of stuff needs to go.