Re: Seafari 25 Performance
 

yeah mine was origionally a twin sterndrive and had the huge box. and my scuppers are almost directly below the shorepower plug, inline with the bulkhead between the engine compartment and fuel tanks, almost directly below the end of the side windshield

Re: Seafari 25 performance
 

Connor,
Sorry it took so long to reply. Work and family obligations have been kinda intense over the past week. The 15th works better for me too. If it works for you, I'll plan on leaving Bonita Springs 9ish and see you around 11:00. I'll PM you my contact info so we can communicate off the thread.
Dave

Re: Seafari 25 performance
 

Much work done, now the testing begins

New Bimini, stainless F3 props, dive platform, 8hp hi thrust Yamaha kicker, lots of cabinetry. Now lets see what it will do.

First the kicker. Very pleased. I'm still breaking it in and only ran up to 3/4 throttle, was getting 4.6 kts in calm water and 4.0 into a steep chop and 15 knots of wind. My old 15 hp on a 24 Seabird would do no more than 4 knots in flat water and practically nothing against wind and chop. Further, the Yamaha has full control of the boat even into that chop. I plan to use it as a trolling motor, follow the divers, etc, which should cut my fuel consumption considerable.

New props dropped the max rpm from 5200 to 5000 with a light load (full fuel and one person) That's right at the top of the recommended rpm range for this engine. I talked extensively to a prop guy and decided to go with less pitch than I originally wanted. Think I got it just about right. Found the props used, like new, on Craigslist.

Platform is outstanding. I had it built to include a big box (5.8 ft x 1 x 1) for storage of freediving gear. This takes care of the only real drawback in the Seafari, lack of gear/fish storage. One negative, we made the box lids a little too close to the transom rub rail and I had to mount the platform a couple of inches lower than planned. That may require some modification down the road.

Looks like max efficiency based on the vac gauge is 3200-3300. I did a 15 mile mpg run and must have messed up somewhere, got 2.3 nautical mpg. Will redo that. Boat speed (and mpg) seem very sensitive to tab and trim. Lots to learn on how to tweek it.

Speed at a given rpm with the new props picked up about 3.5 knots in the 3200-3400 range. Looks like 27-28 knots at 3300. That will drop some with a heavy load, not sure how much. Did not write down the max speed, but I think 44 knots.

Here is a funny one, maybe somebody can shed some light.

I have two gps units. the one that came with the boat (all data above) and a hand held Garmin 76 off my old boat. The two give quite different speeds, 7-8 percent off, with the Garmin giving slower speeds. Makes quite a difference at 25 knots. Anybody know why?

And I promise, really, to take a bunch of pics this weekend and try to figure out how to post them.

Thanks to all for your help.

Connor

Re: Seafari 25 performance
 

Is one reading in nautical miles per hour and one reading statute miles per hour?

Re: Seafari 25 performance
 

Yeah, I was thinking that too. I hope I'm wrong because 44 knots is phenomenal but maybe it IS reading in MPH or we even have kilometers per hour or our gps's up here :D

Ken Kurek told me he gets 44 kts with his 454 so if you're getting it with your 350.....I want one...and the duoprop...but I'll still probably go 4 knots :D

Thanks for sharing the numbers Connor. If you would like, send me your pics and I'll post them

Brandon

Re: Seafari 25 performance
 

I use a hand held 76 also and last summer it started acting strange also. Slower screen updates and late on the "point" alarms. Didn't they turn off a couple satellites last year?

Re: Seafari 25 performance
 

Thanks for the tip, you guys were right. I never thought to look, but the previous owner had set the unit to read statue miles. I fixed it and will redo some runs to make sure, but it looks like max speed drops to 38+ knots with max efficiency around 24 knots at 3300. Looks like the Seafari will be slightly slower(2 knots?)at cruise than my old Seabird and not quite as fuel efficient, but the totality of the numbers, bigger, deeper boat, etc, look much more likely.

Re: Seafari 25 performance
 

tease [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Connor- I can host your pictures as well. I have my own web server...just e mail either of us some pictures!!!!!! :D

strick

Re: Seafari 25 performance
 

Strick,

I sense a bit of Pavlov's dog out there. Keep the napkin handy! :D :D

Re: Seafari 25 performance
 

Just trying to throw fuel on the fire ;)

strick