Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Any experience on these conversions? Any inherent problems or challenges/benefits? I am looking to buy a 1979 with this tranformation.

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Should have kept the diesel.

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Fr. Frank-
You must have a diesel. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] The enclosed transom works well
with this conversion to a bracketed twin outboard set-up. The
first thought I have is weight distribution. 2 fuel cells have been located where the inboard was.

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Snookered: any problems with "porpoising" after changing the weight distribution so radically? - Thanks for info, aaf

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Snookered---Do you have any pix. I'm not sure if you are asking advice on doing the project or if you are looking at a boat that already had the conversion done. Give us some more info. If it was me I'd have the diesel rebuilt. That couldn't cost more than 3-8 grand. Getting rid of the diesel, buying a bracket, fiberglass work and a new 250 4 stroke you are going to be over 20k easily.

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

aaf-I am looking to buy this boat and have not water tested to tell if it would have a problem porpoising-sorry man. I don't see the weight to be greater in the front without the diesel block under the console though, which would cause the porpoising. So, I think that the boat will have the typical trim tab situation to keep the stern from sitting too low. the 2 fuel cells are 50 gal each plus the original side tanks. I would'nt mind a diesel, especially a new Yanmar! Those are not the cards I have been given. The conversion has been completed and the Armstrong Bracket with twin 225's are in place from 2002. Yes, there is 450HP hanging off the back!

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Briguy- As I stated to aaf, the conversion was completed already and so I am not going back to diesel. This boat has been repainted with either the same or similar color to your new paint job. By the way, your boat looks sweet from the postings. I do have a few photos that I will try to post. Apparently it is hull #1 from 1979. I need to sell my 18SF now, before I start my own 3 boat theory.

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Here are few shots.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...d/DSC01867.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...d/DSC01866.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...d/DSC01861.jpg

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Snookered,
Does the boat still have the tunnel from the old IB running gear?

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

I'm not sure on the running gear tunnel - the access point in the deck in front of the console is where your talking right? It looks to be the tunnel in the bildge and it is pretty wide open between the two fuel tanks. I just had a surveyor over and said that the moisture was low on the transom, except for a small spot below where the transducer was. He gave me a thumbs up on the structural integrity for the whole boat. This boat is 95% put back together, I have to meet with the original mechanic who converted the the power and electronics to get a once over done. I am going to need a hinged t-top, so the current incomplete top is no problem. It's only momey!

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

No, I mean the tunnel on the running bottom where the shaft, strut and rudder would reside. Perhaps Miles Offshore can post a pic so you can see what I mean. I'm curious if it's still there because I would think it would cause some issues with the OB props grabbing clean water.

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Scott-
It has been completely filled in and glassed over to look identitcal to what the outboard V hull looks like. It has been well done. Thanks for the insight to what the hull used to be! I will now be better focused to inspect this area of the conversion-thanks Scott!

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Thanks for reply, Snookerd...the pictures look great. I wish you well with the new set-up...please let us know how it works. - aaf

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

aaf-I bought the boat over the weekend. I paid $ 8500. The mechanic who did part of the work (merc powerheads in 02, new fuel tanks, rewiring, bracket, ect) said he would have bought it in the neighborhood of 20-30K if he had the opportunity. A neighbor already called the cops for me parking it at my house. I will be splashing the boat after I sell my 18SF. I will let you know how it performs.

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

The neighbor should of called the cops for you stealing it!!!! [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

$8500 nice work....

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Jason is right!! You stole it.
Congratulations [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
You just don't find deals like that everyday.
Hope the "Sailfish" owners don't find out.
They will say, look there value is going down. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
Good Luck with her, very nice. See ya, Ken

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

yeah great deal I actually called the guy about 5 times to go see the boat but he never returned my calls [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] That boat should be rocket ship good luck with her [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Dang! Good job! You don't see deals like that very often.

Whats the deal with your neighbors and the cops?

Re: Potter 23 converted from Diesel to Outboards
 

Thanks for the congrats. I still can't believe the deal. I have mutual friends with the seller, so I had confidence that everything was going through. I really wasn't ready for this purchase yet, but if I hadn't bought it, I would have been flushing at least 10K down the toilet. It is crazy to think that I (like every Seacraft nut on this board) would drive to another state or two to get my Potter Hull, I only had to drive 4 streets over to find my boat. Now comes the beginning of my real job... to get the boat ready to use. About the cops and my neighbor, the guy owns an Alumacraft and I think he has Seacraft Envy [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]