Mounting your tabs as far outboard as possible might create some unexpected issues. Outboard maximizes their effectiveness, but makes them subject to coming out of the water. Probably not a problem when the boat is running, but at rest, it might noticeably increase the roll. Mine often rolls the outboard hull panel out of the water, especially if it light loaded. You may find that the roll characteristics change in unpredictable ways when the tabs clear the water. I'd be very interested in what you find.

You know, Connor, I hadn't thought about that. The tabs on my other two boats are well outboard, but their chines don't rise much out of the water when rolling at rest. But rather than outboard tabs increasing roll, I wonder if yours are damping roll because they're mounted on the center panel and remain submerged at rest and should provide resistance whether rising or falling.

Dave

Hey Connor,

Maybe I'm misreading what you said but my tabs are still effective, even when I have her pinned, although I have the extensions. Are you talking about wot, cruise, hull speed or on a drift? It's interesting to learn how other setups perform. I would think your tabs, mounted closer to the keel, would be more effective. I think Dave will be modifying his tabs, similar to my Grandfathers so maybe he wont notice any issues.

Nice work, Dave! Please forgive my ignorance but I have never seen a drain hose attached to the oil pan. We always suck the oil out from the top. Are you able to gravity drain the oil or do you suck from that hose? I guess I'm still stuck in the 70s.

Brandon

I think the tabs do damp the roll, just not sure how much. Mine are mounted on the center panel, but I've never seen them come out of the water. I've been planning to increase the surface area of my tabs in hopes of damping it some more, but $ hasn't allowed yet.

Seafari 25: your tabs are much larger than mine. Yours is what I hope to emulate. My issue is roll when at rest. When moving the tabs I have are fine. When sitting still the boat has more roll than I prefer, still nothing compared to a 233 formula. That hull can develop a snap roll that can just about throw you out of the boat(personal experience). Do you notice much excessive roll in your boat?

Now that you mention it, yes I do:D but I haven't been in any other 25* deadrise boats to compare with. I grew up thinking this was normal and the word excessive has never occured to me. Safety is all I feel when on board but my passengers make mention to a roll. I tell them we're on a boat.

Connor, I have never been uncomfortable or scared but also keep in mind, our Seafari is unsinkable...

Brandon

Brandon,
I will be modifying my tabs. My extensions aren't as wide as yours, but they do follow the contour of the step in the hull. I'll post pics when I've got them bolted on. I don't know what effect they'll have on roll characteristics at rest, though. Time will tell.

The hose has a cable on the end that attaches to a swivel on the garboard plug. So you pull the drain hose out the garbaord plug and gravity drain it.

Dave

Thanks Dave, that makes it a lot easier to change the oil. Great idea.

Looking forward to seeing your tab extensions.

Its pretty amazing what you can get used to. I don't even notice anymore how much the boat leans into a turn, but after watching several passengers come unglued, I've learned to warn people.

Its a funny hull, and will do things that, visually, look down right scary, but I've never had the boat feel anything but absolutely rock solid. I'm not quite to the point where I would trust it in anything, but getting close.

Spent most of the weekend away, but still got some stuff done. I needed to get the boat back on the trailer so I'd have enough ground clearance to install the outdrive. Managed to do it without dropping the boat on the concrete or on myself.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_4177.jpg

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_4178.jpg

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_4185.jpg

Also got out the hole saw and got to work on my gauge panel.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_4182.jpg

Planning on a shakedown cruise on the Suwanee River on St. Patty's day if all goes well.

Dave

Dave,

Nice gauge package selection and layout. All the good ones including a Vacuum gauge....good job. I love gauges!

Good luck on your upcoming shake-down cruise.

P.S. Now put that custom built Teak louvered cabin door on!!

Jim

Thanks, Jim. Not sure yet when I'll get to the cabin door. Right now I'm only thinking about the stuff that has to happen before the launch; wiring, switches, control cable, running lights, registration numbers, etc.

Once I've run her, I'll sit down and make up a list of stuff that still needs to be done to complete the project. There will be other wood trim, and I need to find a local source of African Teak or another species that looks good along side it.

Dave

Not even on the radar yet. I see you're making some progress on yours.
Dave

HOLY SHEET ! I was searching for some info on basic mold-making and came to this thread. I had never read any of it before.

It took an hour or so, but I just went thru 30 or so pages of your project.

It's mind blowing !

All the thought and planning ! And then... the execution of it all !

Congratulations - you have truly built a masterpiece.

I hope you enjoy the hell out of her...

Yes. After a year and a half of this, I think my mind may be blown. :D

Thanks for the kind words. Gotta get her done and go fishin'.

Dave

Don't feel bad, I just crossed the 2 year mark!!! Thank god I am almost done.

Amen to that, Sean!

I'm still on track for an initial launch next Saturday. Got lots of little stuff done over the past two weeks:

* Fresh anodes installed on outdrive and trim cylinders.
* Outdrive installed, trim sender and trim limit switch adjusted.
* Outdrive filled with fresh gear lube.
* Installed rigging tubes under the starboard gunnel for control cables and misc. wiring.
* Remote control installed, cables connected and adjusted.
* power trim and " trailer up" switch wired and tested.
* Ignition switch installed and wired to neutral safety switch.
* All gauges, including vacuum and Flo Scan connected and working.
* Installed switch panels at the helm.
* About 80% done with installation and wiring for the trim tab pump and controls, including Bennett's AC3000 Auto tab controller.
*Installed prop and fired up the engine and put it in gear to make sure the prop turns in the right direction. (It does. :D)

The end is near.
Dave

When you get to 4 years let me know...I will tell you what it really feels like:p

Hahaha! I am shooting for April, so hopefully I never get there.

Splash
 

One year, seven months, and five days after starting work, she went back in the water yesterday. The launch was a success with only a couple bugs to work out. I was too preoccupied to take pics, but I had friends along who helped with documentation. We got lots of video, but it takes forever to upload. Stills are a lot quicker, so I'll post what I've got so far.

Final preparations at the house before departing.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_0321.jpg

We launched at Fanning Springs on the Suwanee River, the closest ramp to home.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_0323.jpg

The boat at the top of the right hand ramp in this video is my buddy Greg who came along to assist if we had any problems. He also served as camera boat while Erich shot some video.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...G_0326Ramp.jpg

Cruise is a comfortable 33 mph at about 3300 rpm.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...hortcruise.jpg

And when you give her a little more throttle, she'll get up and move.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...eafariJump.jpg

I'm very happy with performance so far. I've got to finish getting her rigged for fishing and take her out in the Gulf to see how she handles the chop.

The 350 Mag MPI seems to be just right on power. I was able to keep her on plane down to about 14 mph, and touched 43 mph without opening her all the way up. Won't know WOT speed until I get through the first 10 hours of the break in period.

I'm glad I raised the helm deck, at least so far. I'll have to see how comfortable it is when trolling or on the hook in bumpy water. But running in smooth water or just floating along enjoying the river it's at a good height.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_0341.jpg

I've stilll got a lot to do, but yesterday was a great day on the water and I'm glad the trial run went well.

Dave

Congrats on the first launch! Job well done... Are you planning on putting the windshield back on?

Yo Dave-

Congratulations on getting her wet! Did you christen it? or at least spray some Sierra on her before that motor hit the water? I see you wanted to try it without the trim tab extensions. Good move. I would like o hear your report after they go on as far as how the boat handles. Can you PM me with your phone number as I got rid of my second cell that had your number on it. Once again congrats :)

strick

WTG Dave,
I guess you put her in so we could all see what a Seafari 25 looks like w/o a windshield, huh?:D
Boy she trims out nice after hitting the wake. Glad to see you splash her early, now its gonna be real tough keeping up with this threads pace...:cool:

Jim,
I don't have a windshield, so I have to make one. So far I haven't had any luck finding aluminum extrusion that will work, so it's looking like a woodworking project. After yesterday's ride, a windshield and bimini top are near the top of the to do list.

strick,
PM sent. Technically, we didn't christen it, but we did spill some Chimay on it.

As you know, the trim tabs don't have the authority we would like. They worked ok, but they have to go down a good way before they start to have an effect. When I was checking low speed planing, I had them all the way down and they were throwing a pretty good rooster tail.

I'm thinking of doing a separate thread on the tab extensions. I want to run the boat again without them so I can shoot some pics and maybe video of the 12x12s over the transom. I didn't think to do it yesterday, and I want to have before/after shots.

Gillie,
I think she'll look a lot better with a windshield. Function better too. But I just couldn't wait any longer for a boat ride.

The frenzy of activity leading up to the launch has left my shop looking like a bomb went off. I'm going to clean up the shop and sit down and make a list of the stuff that has to be completed to make the boat fishable. Grouper season is about to open up, and I need to get out there and put some fish in the box.

Dave

Success
 

"Look Ma no leaks". Congrats, makes me want to sing. "Way down upon the Suwannee River, far, far away". Looks like a classic on the river.

Spring is in the air.

She sits nicely and the numbers must be pleasing.

What about making a base for an existing extrusion?

Put some plastic sheet down. Add clay. Harden to the radius. Shave the top.

I`ve run far more unfinshed toys. I know the joy.

Very blue berry,
GFS
This will pull you to the finish in no time.

Congrats on the splash Dave

She looks good in the water. The black trim is sharp.

I'm really impressed with your numbers so far. Is that pushing 315hp? Seems like a good match for the 25. Minimum planing speed, although already impressive, should be a bit better after your tab extensions. I'm also sure that they will be way more responsive from the top. I only touch the button for a split second. They are super sensitive with the plates.

In my experience, (going only 30 mph max) with a crew in the boat, you will need the tab extensions. At that speed, when someone moves a foot, one way or the other, she will lay on her side. You will want the tabs to be sensitive (and to keep your hand pretty close to the switch) :) I don't know what happens at 43...

With the raised floor, I think you will feel safer at the helm once you get the windshield in. When I stand on a cooler, I still feel like I'm cradled like a baby.

I'll be sad to see this thread end so take your time finishing her eh
Brandon

Congrats on reaching this milestone. Everything looks great!

Back in '89, my wife and I bought our first house in Ft. Lauderdale. I replaced all the jalousie windows with wood casement windows I made myself. At the end of the project I said if I ever get the chance to make my own windows again, I'll buy them instead. Now I remember why.

I've spent the last two weekends working on my windshield frame. The geometry is mind boggling. Today I got the frame assembled and did a trial fit. First time out was close, but no cigar. Then back in the shop to trim a few pieces, and the second trial fit was a success. Here are some pics of the process.

First, a mockup made of masonite so I could check all the angles. There are lots of them and none of them are 90°. There are the angles at the corners of each panel, and then the angle between the two front panels, and the angle between the front panels and the side panels.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_4198.jpg

Here are the frames for the windshield panels. All the corners are done with mortice and tenon joints. That was the easy part. Once the frames were made up, I had to figure out how to miter them together at the corners.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_4206.jpg

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_4205.jpg

And here is the assembled frame set in place on the boat.

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_4208.jpg

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/u...t/IMG_4210.jpg

My windshield is smaller than the original. I want to be able to see over it when standing at the helm, and through it when seated.

I used some of the masonite from the mock up to make templates for my glass. I'm going to use 1/4" laminated for the front panels and either laminated or tempered for the side panels. I'll order the glass this week.

I plan to seal the frame with penetrating epoxy and then spray it with a two part polyurethane varnish. All the fastener holes will be overdrilled, filled with epoxy/wood flour, and then redrilled. I have at least one more weekend and some week nights before I'm ready to mount it on the boat.

Dave

Nice work! I'm sure VERY challenging...

Very nice proportions on that windshield. It really adds to the lines of the boat.

Dave- absolutely beautiful work and results. I thought my 4 month project was testing my patience. I dont know how you have held up all this time. But as you say, when its done it will be done for good and be exactly what you wanted. Congrads on nearing the finish line!

Richard

Looking Good...At least you had a flat surface to start with :D Not so on the 21 :(

Thanks for the comments, guys.

I took my templates to the glass shop today and after I got home from work I got all the pieces coated with penetrating epoxy. I still need to prep the fastener holes and hit all the pieces with steel wool. Hopefully, I can have them ready for varnish by the weekend.


Scott,

I tried to stay true to the original look as much as possible. I played with several options in my CAD program. The final product has the same footprint as the original, only the height is scaled down.

If you look at the side view of the 25 Seafari in the brochure, the top of all four windshield panels are in the same plane. So the front panels look like a continuation of the side panels in profile. I wanted to match that even though I was cutting it down. I was pleasantly surprised that all my head scratching and calculating payed off. I was the class clown in high school geometry, but I guess I absorbed some of it. I don't have a good pic of what I'm talking about, but I'll shoot a profile pic once I have the windshield installed.

Dave

Imagineering 10,000 hrs.
Working.. somewhat fewer.

Looks good Dave...like it was meant to be :)

strick

You got that right, Sandy!

Yeah, Chuck, it looks like it's going to work.

I got my glass ordered today. It should be ready the middle of next week.

Dave

What was the final decision on how you were going to install the glass?

Terry,
The frame pieces have a 5/16" wide x 1/2" deep groove. The glass will be bedded in silicone sealant. The mortice and tenon joints are configured so I can attach the bottom of the frame to the boat and build the frame around the glass starting at the front center of the windshield and working outward.

My hope is that bedding the glass in silicone will make the glass and frame act monolithically and minimize stress on the joints.

Dave

Sounds like a good plan to me.