Experience with an 18' ?

fishin_musician · #1 06-22-2009, 10:14 PM

Still wondering if anyone out there has experience with 18' Seacraft hulls. Correction- year I am looking at is a 1975. My 1973 23' developed "soft" stringer (possibly waterlogged?) late in it's life. Boat was completely ripped apart and rebuilt stringers and all but I don't want to go through that again. Any inspection tips, things to look for on the 18 footer? Help from someone that knows this boat would be appreciated. Thanks-Fishin.

2182 · #2 06-23-2009, 08:13 AM

there is a thread in "repairs" on a 75 18' rebuild. im sure if you pmed small45 hed be able to tell you specific stuff. i have an 85 18'. its been a great boat, rides smoother than anything in its class. mine was a work in progress when i got her so most of the structural stuff was ok.

eggsuckindog · #3 06-24-2009, 02:36 AM

I had a '75 not sure what your looking for, great boat for the size, just wore it out. The only issues can be transom and soft decks, stringers are all fiberglass.

76Red18 · #4 06-24-2009, 12:46 PM

I love my 76 for sure. Issues are as egg stated. I'd also check the thru hull fitting in the forward well as they are known to leak.

eggsuckindog · #5 06-25-2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

I love my 76 for sure. Issues are as egg stated. I'd also check the thru hull fitting in the forward well as they are known to leak.

funny you should say that, took me a year to find it, only leaked if the boat fully loaded like a Walkers trip - spun the hub

small45 · #6 06-25-2009, 10:56 PM

i've run a '77 18' for a couple of years now. it has older omc 120 and does very well on fuel as well as power. i'm nearly finished with my '75...hope to be in the water in acouple of weeks. i'll let you know how it works with a hermco bracket and 150 2 stroke yamaha.

i grew up fishing on a '69 20 sf with a 200 rude. now my dad has another '70 20 sf i/o. while the 18's lack the space on the forward deck, i prefer the liner design of the 18'. i must admitt, however, with both an 18' and a 20' side by side in the shop...the 20'does have the better lines

eggsuckindog · #7 06-26-2009, 12:13 PM

The wide gunnels are great, thats why I love my MA, I was actually looking for an 18 because of that