1973 Seacraft Seafari - LOTS of work done to it

[Max_Florida]

Payment Sent (Unique Transaction ID # 7YL67281D8942990B)

In September of 2011 my buddy and I bought this boat to use for spearfishing. I selected the Seafari specifically because it was so highly regarded. I intended to keep this boat forever and every repair I made was done with that intention.

Life happens, though. My wife and I are moving up to TN or NC and it doesn't make sense to me to have this boat on an inland lake. So here we go:

I have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears, not to mention money, into this beautiful craft. Excluding the repower, I would say I have spent AT LEAST $16,000 on repairs/upgrades. The repower cost around $10k for the motor, new throttle and electronic gauge.

Here is a (mostly complete) list of repairs/upgrades:

Electrical (Completely re-done in Oct-Dec 2011)
- All new wiring
- Set up for House and Start battery, with two Blue Sea battery switches and a Blue Sea ACR.
- Blue Sea Circuit Breaker
- Dual Bilge Pumps
- 2x Water Witch Electronic Bilge Pump Switches
- Blue Sea Switch Panel
- 2x Blue Sea Bilge Pump Rocker Switches
- New(in 2012) Faria gauges
- Running Lights and wiring(2012)

Cosmetic(All done in 2012)
- New bolsters, made out of epoxy sealed plywood and mold resistant foam
- New seats/pedestals (overdrilled the holes and filled with epoxy)
- Cabin window frames were powder coated and new plexiglass was installed
- New Rub Rail

Structural
- New Transom in Fall 2013
- New Scupper Tubes, Fall 2011
- Re-cored the Bow Cap in Fall 2011, used synthetic core
- Re-cored much of the deck in Spring 2012, used wood
- Re-cored the “coffin”, Spring 2012, Used wood
- Fabricated storage compartment in the last couple feet of the “coffin” – I felt the coffin extended too far aft and did not like stepping into it when moving around.
- Fabricated new covers for all storage compartments in the cabin, Spring 2012
- Fabricated new bulkheads(though I failed to properly seal the screw holes at the base and as such they started to rot. I drilled out most of the rotted wood and epoxied the hell out of them.) Spring 2012

Misc –
- New Steering System (Mechanical, NOT no-feedback)
- Humminbird 587ci(New in Oct 2011) (Will discount price $250 if you don’t want it)
- Standard Horizon radio (Basic model, New in Aug 2014) (Will discount price $100 if you don’t want it)
- Trim Tabs (2013)
I did so much work to this boat that there is probably stuff I haven’t included – so just ask. Odds are I replaced/fixed it.

Powered by an Optimax 115 Pro XS (20”) purchased new in Fall 2012 with a 5 year transferrable warranty. Currently has 45 hours on it. Fully loaded I cruise at ~33MPH on the GPS @ ~5.7GPH.

Trailer
- New Axle and bearings in 2012
- New Leaf Springs in Aug 2014
- Spare tire included
- New Lights (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 haha)

The boat has no outstanding “issues” – other than needing a new paint job. All of the work(with one exception) was done by me, with the idea that I wanted to do it ONCE and I wanted to own this boat forever. The transom was done by a guy in Port Charlotte and I wish I would have done it myself – he only put 1 thin layer of fiberglass over the marine plywood on the inside. Otherwise he seems to have done a good job and there is absolutely no flex in the transom whatsoever. He did use 2 layers of ¾” marine plywood. I feel that the transom will be fine until it begins to show any sign of rotting – that should be way down the road. I was very serious about sealing any screws or holes in the new transom. Here is a link to the thread where my repair was discussed: http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...t=25555&page=1

Here is a link to the before and after restoration pics: http://s1238.photobucket.com/user/mv...raft%20Seafari

NOTE: Those pics are NOT current - they were taken 2 years ago. The boat is dirty right now from sitting under a tree and I don't have time to clean it up just to take pics. The cockpit paint isn't as white as it used to be, there are some rust stains here and there but overall it still looks good. If anyone is seriously interested I will wash it up and send current pics.

I'm asking $17k for it. Considering the motor has 45 hours and 3 years left on the warranty, and that I spent $16k+ on the boat itself I think that's reasonable.


The boat is located in Estero, FL if anyone wants to come look at it. PM me here or email me at [email protected]

[Max_Florida]

Price lowered to $15,000

[Max_Florida]

Price Reduced to $14,000 - Anyone interested or have any comments on the boat? I'm curious what others think of it.

Thanks!

[cdavisdb]

I used mine for diving off the Florida West Coast. Generally 30-40 miles offshore, year round. Absolutely outstanding design and built so tough that even me and the St Pete Underwater Club could not break them.

Good luck with the sale.


Connor

[Max_Florida]

Price Reduced to $12k - probably not going to go any lower.

Going to wash it up and get it up on Boat Trader, etc. this week.

Give me a call if interested - (239)888-1211

[Max_Florida]

I sold the motor separately today. The boat itself is still for sale - I'm asking $6k.

[Max_Florida]

Lowering the asking price to $5,500. The boat just needs a motor and you are ready for the summer!

[Capt Terry]

This probably will not change your mind. I have a '76 20' Seafari we purchased new for offshore trolling, snorkeling, and waterskiing. Fifteen years ago I moved to Greenville, SC. I too thought I would sell the boat; but a friend talked me out of it. The boat actually gets more use (watersports) on SC lakes than it did on the southeast coast of Florida. My wife loves the boat and the cabin for storage and to wait out a shower. Good luck either way. I have not seen a Seafari on the SC lakes. At one time think Bill Potter had refurbished a Seafari for his son in NC or VA.
Capt Terry

Originally Posted by Max_Florida

Payment Sent (Unique Transaction ID # 7YL67281D8942990B)

In September of 2011 my buddy and I bought this boat to use for spearfishing. I selected the Seafari specifically because it was so highly regarded. I intended to keep this boat forever and every repair I made was done with that intention.

Life happens, though. My wife and I are moving up to TN or NC and it doesn't make sense to me to have this boat on an inland lake. So here we go:

I have put a lot of blood, sweat and tears, not to mention money, into this beautiful craft. Excluding the repower, I would say I have spent AT LEAST $16,000 on repairs/upgrades. The repower cost around $10k for the motor, new throttle and electronic gauge.

Here is a (mostly complete) list of repairs/upgrades:

Electrical (Completely re-done in Oct-Dec 2011)
- All new wiring
- Set up for House and Start battery, with two Blue Sea battery switches and a Blue Sea ACR.
- Blue Sea Circuit Breaker
- Dual Bilge Pumps
- 2x Water Witch Electronic Bilge Pump Switches
- Blue Sea Switch Panel
- 2x Blue Sea Bilge Pump Rocker Switches
- New(in 2012) Faria gauges
- Running Lights and wiring(2012)

Cosmetic(All done in 2012)
- New bolsters, made out of epoxy sealed plywood and mold resistant foam
- New seats/pedestals (overdrilled the holes and filled with epoxy)
- Cabin window frames were powder coated and new plexiglass was installed
- New Rub Rail

Structural
- New Transom in Fall 2013
- New Scupper Tubes, Fall 2011
- Re-cored the Bow Cap in Fall 2011, used synthetic core
- Re-cored much of the deck in Spring 2012, used wood
- Re-cored the “coffin”, Spring 2012, Used wood
- Fabricated storage compartment in the last couple feet of the “coffin” – I felt the coffin extended too far aft and did not like stepping into it when moving around.
- Fabricated new covers for all storage compartments in the cabin, Spring 2012
- Fabricated new bulkheads(though I failed to properly seal the screw holes at the base and as such they started to rot. I drilled out most of the rotted wood and epoxied the hell out of them.) Spring 2012

Misc –
- New Steering System (Mechanical, NOT no-feedback)
- Humminbird 587ci(New in Oct 2011) (Will discount price $250 if you don’t want it)
- Standard Horizon radio (Basic model, New in Aug 2014) (Will discount price $100 if you don’t want it)
- Trim Tabs (2013)
I did so much work to this boat that there is probably stuff I haven’t included – so just ask. Odds are I replaced/fixed it.

Powered by an Optimax 115 Pro XS (20”) purchased new in Fall 2012 with a 5 year transferrable warranty. Currently has 45 hours on it. Fully loaded I cruise at ~33MPH on the GPS @ ~5.7GPH.

Trailer
- New Axle and bearings in 2012
- New Leaf Springs in Aug 2014
- Spare tire included
- New Lights (2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 haha)

The boat has no outstanding “issues” – other than needing a new paint job. All of the work(with one exception) was done by me, with the idea that I wanted to do it ONCE and I wanted to own this boat forever. The transom was done by a guy in Port Charlotte and I wish I would have done it myself – he only put 1 thin layer of fiberglass over the marine plywood on the inside. Otherwise he seems to have done a good job and there is absolutely no flex in the transom whatsoever. He did use 2 layers of ¾” marine plywood. I feel that the transom will be fine until it begins to show any sign of rotting – that should be way down the road. I was very serious about sealing any screws or holes in the new transom. Here is a link to the thread where my repair was discussed: http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...t=25555&page=1

Here is a link to the before and after restoration pics: http://s1238.photobucket.com/user/mv...raft%20Seafari

NOTE: Those pics are NOT current - they were taken 2 years ago. The boat is dirty right now from sitting under a tree and I don't have time to clean it up just to take pics. The cockpit paint isn't as white as it used to be, there are some rust stains here and there but overall it still looks good. If anyone is seriously interested I will wash it up and send current pics.

I'm asking $17k for it. Considering the motor has 45 hours and 3 years left on the warranty, and that I spent $16k+ on the boat itself I think that's reasonable.


The boat is located in Estero, FL if anyone wants to come look at it. PM me here or email me at [email protected]

[77SceptreOB]

FWIW and in the same vain as the last post...We too bought our 23' Sceptre brand new in April 1977. It lived a long life in Tampa Fla until 2009 (32 years). Now we live in SC near a lake. We get a ton on use now and the boat and engine loves the fresh water.

[Vezo, Part II]

This post is upsetting to me. I have a perfect 76 Seafari ready for a refurb and convert to outboard. Sounds easier to buy this one!!! And having refurbished two 15 Boston Whalers I was really excited to dive into this much larger project! Best of luck with the sale.

Vezo, Part II