Seabird
 

Guys, I have my hooks into a '72 28' Seabird w/twin IB's. You guys have any input about this boat?

Re: Seabird
 

Are you talking about the SeaBird Fly bridge 28’ ?? If so they look a lot like the 27 Fly bridge SeaCrafts. I have never been on one but have heard they made a good boat. I think if I were to do a older flybridge type boat I would go with the 31 Bertram for resale reasons.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Finstah !
 

need more info - and pix ?!?

Seabirds overall are a very good, well made boat. My bro took an early 70's 23' IO cuddy cabin model, lifted the lid off, and turned it into a CC, pulled out the IO, hung a bracket, and a 235 OB - the thing is a good fishin machine.

From the age, I'm guessing the IO's are the old first generation OMC's - unfortuneately, IMO the worst choice, and leave a lousy hole - beyond that, should be a solid boat!

good luck

and don't forget the pix !!!!

Bill

Re: Seabird
 

I don't know much about the boat, it came by way of my cousin. He told me IB's, but after looking at the one's over at boat trader they seem to be outdrives.
I guess it worth talking a look at provided it's not too beat.
Yeah a 31 Bertram would definitely be a score but I don't see people giving them away too often.

Re: Seabird
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-...temZ4587247718

Is this the boat? I like the hull design...too bad there aren't more pictures.

Re: Seabird
 

You know what? That could very well be. I know the boat is in MD and has Chrysler motors.

Re: Seabird
 

and inboards...that would make a cool center console.

and how do I get "Dirk Diggler" under my screen name?

Re: Seabird
 

[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Seabird
 

Chest Rockwell please

Re: Seabird
 

[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Who gets to be "Roller Girl"? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Seabird
 

Re: Seabird
 

I have a 23' sitting in the yard for future resto (unless I should be so lucky to find a 23' SC project hull for low bucks... unlikely).

SeaBirds were good boats during their time, built in Hialeah (sp) Florida. Mostly see 23' boats, but they built a 21 and a 27. I think they went out of business somewhere in the early 80's, same deal as a bunch of smaller builders because of the economy. Supposively OMC bought the 21 foot mold and made test boats for engine testing. There is a small site on the net for SeaBirds, and a someone had some neat "test boat" photos.

The 23 footer is a stringerless hull, relying on a balsa core and inner liner for strength. Deep V (24° deadrise), very wide bow flair. Some feel this was inivative for late 60's early 70's boats, mixed feelings on my part. I would only guess the 27 used the same construction process...

I believe all SeaBirds were I/O. If you see one hanging outboards, would have been a conversion at some point. I know mine had the OMC drive, but not sure of the engine make (long gone).

Re: Seabird
 

Yeah well, it looks like my cousin let this one slip threw his fingers. I knew about it last week, but didn't know the manufacturer til today.
Looks like it could have been a good score. All the ones on boattrader are i/o's, this one has straight shaft's.

Re: Seabird
 

Well built and a very good ride. Most were IO's but I know they built some OB's in the late 70's. I lusted for a 21' CC with 200 OB new at a local dealers around that time. Very pretty hull. I think Answer is off the same molds.

Re: Seabird
 

phoenix bought the molds for at least the 27' for a while and i believe a 31 as well- there is a 27 sitting in my canal with twin inboards

Re: Seabird
 

Answer used the 20' SeaCraft mold for their boat, unless of course they had a larger model that I didn't know about.

Craig,
Phoenix bought the Seabird 28 mold and made their 29' flybridge with it. My guess is that the Phoenix 27 and 32 are based on the same basic design, but their 29 was a direct knockoff of the Seabird hull.

I have the V-24 Mariner, which is a 23' CC, and the ride is outstanding. It was converted from I/O to notched OB a few years ago, so I have a good transom and a newer fuel tank to boot. I'm pleasantly surprised by how well this boat has held up since '72, considering all the balsa coring that I'm sure is pretty wet by now.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...C/p5230040.jpg

Re: Seabird
 

Yeah I bet you do Tow Boat boi..[img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] . Now we know what goes on in your pilot house... [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Re: Seabird
 

Hey Dufus, what the hell are you talking about? You back on the Ritalin again? I think all them flux fumes must have killed a large part of your brain. [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Re: Seabird
 

Looks like it is time for someone to start a Classic Seabird site, and start "flying" off this site! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

- Nick

Re: Seabird
 

Oh Boy Here We Gooooooooooo Again!
[img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Seabird
 

Not me [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Seabird
 

One of my favorites. From the seabird site. It's a 23 with the cuddy that you dont see too often. There was one just like it recently for sale in my neck of the woods.



http://www.casdvm.com/photos/seabird.jpg

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/seabirds2.jpg

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/seabirds3.jpg

strick

Re: Seabird
 

The 29 is a good boat, great hull and with twin inboards, don't remember if they were straight shafts or V-Drives though. I rode in one several times back home in the late 70's when they were new and it was impressive in the open ocean, behaved like a Bertram cutting thru the waves. The flybridge model is quite topheavy though and rolled quite a bit at trolling speeds, even more than the Bertram 28 but the hull did raise lots of fish! She was a direct competitor of the B-28 but had a narrower beam so she was a bit faster. A friend in Miami just rebuilt the diesel inboards in one of them and uses her quite often for cruising, he's very happy with her. If she's cheap, I'd say go for it!

Re: Seabird
 

The 20' Answer is not a Seacraft copy. It doesn't have the VDH hull with release chines. Their 24 is a copy of the Seabird. I fished on a friends for several years. Good riding but wet hull. About 5 years back towed a free come and get 23 Seabird project hull from Sisters Creek to Gulfside Marathon while on vacation for a buddy who saw an ad in the local mullet wrapper. Super clean bare hull with new 25" transom. He was the only respondant to the ad. While we were towing it back a couple of commercial fisherman stopped and asked if was the free one in the ad. They were mad they hadn't checked it out. My friend restored it as CC but has since gotten rid of it. Just goes to show you it sometimes pays to check out long shots.
Tight Lines!

speaking of Seabirds -
 

here's a pic of my brothers 23' seabird, originally a cuddy cabin, but converted to a CC. Excellant fishing boat, but in my sons (an my) opinion, my 20 Seafari rides softer [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...sssSeabird.jpg

Bill

Re: speaking of Seabirds -
 

I don't know about that Bill. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: speaking of Seabirds -
 

Sorry ... since i have never been on a Seabird, i have to agree with Bill!

[img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]