1974 23 CC - project

[adamcannon]

That sounds good. I got a little worried there for a second. I think mine is going to fall about 2.5" with the motor all the way down. My bracket is a 26" setback. I hope it works. When I drilled the holes I figured for 2" but it ended up 2.5" some how. Anyway, I hope if anything the motor will have to go up. Thanks for the info. Adam

[wtenglish]

What brand are the tabs that you installed? How do they perform?

[thehermit]

wtenglish,

Volvo Ql trim tabs....they work great I got them to fit under my full swim platform bracket. They will draw the bow right down on the 23.

[bfox76]

Hermit,

Did you specifically look for a project boat that already had I/O engines in order to make the closed transom part of the project easier?

Looks like that was the case.

I am looking for a project myself and want to have a closed transom for a bracketed outboard.

Love the name and the color. Nice job.


BRAD

[thehermit]

I didnt specifically look for an I/O to convert to OB bracket....I just grabbed an awesome boat the second it bubbled up. SO happy I did that. The damn outboard has been giving me fits lately...I probobly should have left the I/O setup. ;-)

Anyways...thanks for the nice words and bumping the the build thread. I love the boat!!

Good luck with your search.

[bfox76]

My search is going on over a year NOW and my patience is wearing thin. Probably because winter is coming and my competitive golf season will be OVER after next weekend. And I REALLY want a project boat for this coming winter.

It is rehabs like yours that will help me with my project. Just love looking @ the pictures and getting ideas.

Sorry to hear about your 2-Smoker problems. I emailed a guy recently that has an '85 23' CC and he just repowered to a 4S Yami 250 and said its the best decision he has made lately.

At some point I will start my rehab thread on here and hopefully hear from you with advice.

All the best,

BRAD

[thehermit]

As a daily viewer I find myself less active as a poster so I figured I would get the CSC crowd an update. I still have and love my 23 SeaCraft. Been using it as much as I can and loving it to death. Its showing signs of use and wear but its all good. Last Spring I finally got rid of the old Looper. I WILL NOT MISS the fuel costs.



I was very lucky to get a great deal on a 2002 BRP made Evinrude. It had 570 hrs and was in great running condition. I purchased the Etec diagnostic software and did the whole EMM download and monitoring while running etc. This was all very new and slick to me! The motor:

I ran the motor all season and it was great (knocking on wood here)! Super quiet, super fuel efficient, and all around very precise. It eats plugs and likes em after 80+ hrs. I got to them at about 100hrs after it began to idle more like an old 2 stroke. A quick set of plugs brought it right back to purring. Boat happy on its hook:

A break from fishing:

She still boats fish like a true machine. The best fishing boat and layout in my opinion:

After frying in the sun all summer and after 5 seasons of this I found a dirt cheap T-top off a 23 SeaCraft small console model. It was kind of a hobby made top but at $200 I purchased it at first sight. It was relatively small and beefy and I liked that:

As a mistake I figured after watching Bigshrimpin and Strick and others make molds….I would try to make a T-top skin for it. I had a bunch of glass and as always I figured “how hard can it be”? Well it started out fine but didn’t POP out of my crappy mold . Eventually after a ton of work…..I rescued it and hit it with more glass and tons of sanding and it all worked out. It aint perfect but it fits well and is solid glass (4 layers).


I painted it up and molded some mounting surfaces for radar, rod holders, and GPS. For a butcher…I am very happy with how it all came out. I think I will add vertical standoffs to the console at some point but its pretty solid and its nice to have the top.


Forgive the crappy phone pix . I have been messing with props and still find the BRP alum 15x15 the best so far. I have a 14.75x17 Viper thats close but not good enuf if anyone needs one.



The boat is out and will be covered up soon for the off season. Another great season with the SeaCraft and friends. Here’s to many more!

[Bigshrimpin]

[martin]

Nice job on the Stripers

[thehermit]

Cant wait to get the boat going again. This season I sooo look forward to the shade of the t-top and radar for the fog