new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

Hi everyone! My name is brandon, I live in Rhode Island, and I'm about to purchase a 23. The test drive was awesome- what a solid feeling hull and soft ride! It has a 2002 Yamaha 250 on the back, with about 40 hours on it. What a huge step up from the Correct Craft fishnautique inboard that I had nothing but problems with! It's great to find a bunch of people online that help each other out- this site is one of the reasons I looked for a seacraft. My questions are these: the transom is kinda wrapped in aluminum- I don't know if this was a band aid patch, or the person that re-gelcoated the outside of the hull(which was not the current seller) fixed the transom and didnt want it to rot again. The transom doesnt seem to flex, and I can't see any stress cracks where the metal ends. Any way of looking for transom rot other than ripping the back off? And about how much would it cost to either redo the transom as is, or put on a bracket, and which would be the better option, in your opinions? Also, does anyone have a boat with similar power with performance specs? If the boat doesn't go as fast as it should, does that mean the hull is waterlogged? And finally- the trailer didnt come with the boat- what do you guys think about rollers vs. bunk trailers? Sorry for so many questions- I'd certainly like to hear and would value your opinions, though! Sunday can't come fast enough- I can't wait to get this boat!!! [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] Thanks so much!
Brandon
P.S.- that potters hull sticker is gonna look great on my truck, and boat, and refrigerator, and front door, and kids bedroom door, and bathroom mirror.... [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

Fishman,

Welcome to the site. Do you have any images?

I would be conserned about any boat described as "being wrapped in aluminum". There should be NO METAL involved in a transom except nuts and bolts. Your consern should be that you are buying a boat that requires a transom rebuild that will set you back many weeks and many hundreds of dollars. Assume nothing and make sure what your getting. If you are not confident, stall the deal and have it surveyed by a professional.

A bracket is the ultimate upgrade for the 23. You really want a Hermco flotation bracket. However, with that motor, the original set up is great. Consider the bracket for an upgrade to a 4 stroke or twins.

Best of luck with your choices.

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

Hi Otto! Thanks for the quick response! I'm tryin to attach a photo, but computers are not my forte. I'm getting a pretty good deal on the boat, so if i have to put a bracket on it, or redo the transom in the near future, i won't mind. Any idea how much that could potentially cost? Also, how do I get the "stranger" tag off my name- aren't we not supposed to talk to strangers? [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] JK- hopefully you get a pic with this post?
Thanks
Brandon [image]100_0090[/image]

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

Nonsence, theres nothing wrong with a bit of metal on the transom.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...l/DSCN1647.jpg

Yeah right. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

Yikes! Thats allotta metal! I wish I could attach this #!&? picture- you could get a better idea of what i'm looking at! I'm hoping if I do need a new transom, it could wait till winter.... My last striper was November 28th, and I'MM
DYIN HERE!
Thanks
Brandon the stranger [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

Finny,
How'd you get all that metal off the boat, Did
you throw the live extension cord in at the dock! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

Fishman-

Welcome to the site. I have a 75 as well. Very solid boat. Mine has a 92 Yamaha 250. Cruise at 28-32mph 4400rpm and wot is about 44-45mph 5200 rpm. These numbers are off the top of my head as I've only had it out 5-6 times since it's restore. It has a fiberglass bracket 30 inch set back. The older seacrafts are heavier then the newer ones. Getting a survey is your best bet against getting a boat that has serious issues.

Take off the metal after you have enjoyed the boat for a while and see what is going on in there. As Otto said there should be no metal on the transom other then a bracket and motor. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Strick

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

I agree with Strick on one big issue. Use the boat the way it is currently and get feel for the boat and it will give you time to use the boat and make plans for what you wish to change or leave the same. Your gonna love the ride of the 23, great boat. The 250 on the stern is nice but not the ideal set-up. The 23 with the bracket is the way to go, but use the boat and get some enjoyment out of it before you open her up.

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

It doesn't seem like the transom is goin anywhere in the next season or two- but that bracket would really open up the cockpit space! Did all you guys that put a bracket on do it yourselves, or could you recommend someone in the NE that I could talk to for info/prices? [image]100_0090[/image]

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

Finny …. As I recall It wasnt all the Aluminum "C" channel on the inside and out , nor the plates of flaking, corroded aluminum fitted on and in the transom, or the rusting Gil bracket.....

It was the rusted galvanized steel chain that was bolted to the transom and went back to one of the engine mounting bolts "acting" as a tether that was wa wa wa was getting me a ta ta ta tad nervous [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

You've got chain back there ... then you might have issues !!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...junk/chain.jpg

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

well without that chain, how do you propose to keep the engine from sinking when it falls off??!!

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

Safty first! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

Brandon,
Welcome to the site. That piece of aluminum was probably put there as support for a questionable transom when the boat was repowered. I've personally seen many boats with a similar setup, and although not the right way to do things, it works when properly mounted. If the transom seems solid enough and the plate is sealed, use the boat this season and then make a punch list of things to change/repair for the off-season. With that said, in this neck of the woods, a transom redo will run anywhere from $3-5K depending on the shop and the method (replace from inside or outside the hull). To do a bracket properly, you'll have to redo the transom anyway, so the bracket route will be more $$.

Regarding bunk vs. roller, I like the simplicity and support characteristics of a bunk trailer, but here in New England a roller can't be beat for versatility. I deal with 8-10' (11+ with full/new moon) tide changes here in Mass. and a roller trailer is a huge asset when the tide is low at the ramp. Down your way the tide doesn't fluctuate as much, so a bunk may work well for you. I suppose if you're using the same ramp(s) over and over, you'll know what they're like at various tide stages, so again a bunk could be the ticket. Bunks are also nice because they don't cost as much as a roller setup.

Where do you fish out of in RI?

Re: new 23' 1975 owner- a few questions?
 

Hi Scott! Sorry for the delay in response- It was a busy weekend picking up my boat (I bought it on Sunday morn). I usually fish Narragansett Bay, off Newport, and the Block with friends. I'm hoping with the seacraft I can get out a bit further as well- tuna and sharkin in the fall. I've got the boat in a friends slip for about a month in the bay, then I need to buy that trailer which will give me more range! I think I will end up with a bunk- my last boat was a straight inboard 23, and I didn't have any trouble with the ramps locally. Thanks for the feedback- I'm hopin this transom lasts me a couple of years at least!
Thanks again!
Brandon [image]seacraft transom[/image]