Inboard SeaCrafts
 

I would like to hear from those who have run 23' SeaCraft inboards (straight shaft, not I/O) pro's and cons. How do the experts feel about repowering with a diesel? too heavy or a good idea? Also, and please forgive the newbie question, what is the year range for Potter hulls? Thanks in advance for any and all tips and opinions!

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

I can comment specifically on the V-Drive inboard Seacraft but the straight drive seems to me to be a better setup. I say that because I have struggled with alignment. After having replaced all the engine/transmission mounts, straightened the shaft, trued the prop and replaced the cutlass bearing I was ready for alignment. Aligning the V-Drive is trickey, and the coupling is under the drive. A straight drive looks to me to be a bit easier to deal with.
The issue is vibration. Without proper alignment of the drive components, anoying vibrations can develop.
As far as diesels, it's been done succesfully. I have a 25' Sea-Vee near me that has an awsome inboard diesel setup.
Contemporary thinking seems to lean towards outboards but I have much faith in my inboard and the full transom.
Potters are roughly the '70s.

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

Thanks Mark. I've run numerous 23' SeaCrafts w/ outboards but never one with an inboard. Any insight to ride or handling characteristics w/ the inboard?

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

call Mike at American Marine in Tarpon Springs FL, they are SeaCraft fans and he has a customer that went to a Yanmar diesel in a 23 and I bet he could give some great tips - 727 938 9796- Mario will probably answer the phone so don't cut him any slack about just lurking

His lame partner [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Mario just re-did a great 23 CC but just lurks on here the worthless........

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

Welcome to CSC !!
These are links to a members 23 / diesel.. However I’ pretty sure the boat was sold ( moved into a larger boat) so he may not be on the site much.

Joe's boat

Joe's boat II

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

Onespeed, have you found one your interested in? If so send me all the info on it i.e. sellers name and phone# and I'll check it out. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Hehe, only kidding. I've had my ears pirked up for one for a while. I don't know your location, but there's one in the pan handle of FL that would be worth seeing. Just a little too far for me.

Never mind. I just saw your location. Let me know if your interested and I can PM the info.

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

I completely re-did a 23 straight inboard last winter and was originally going to go diesel, but decided mainly becasue of price to just go gas. The boat is very dry, rides incredibly and can plain at a low speed due to the weight distribution so you can ride in a heavy sea at a pretty good clip. the only downside to an inboard is speed, They are 22-25 knot cruise boats. I hear the ride is better than the outboard versions, BUT...I don't have enough recent time on a 23 outboard to justify that claim, its just what a couple guys have told me. I would be interested in learning from people here with experience on both about the difference in ride quality.

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

I gutted a 1975 IB and redid it. The 23' IB is a good sea boat, but not much for speed, its a 22/23 k cruise 29 WOT. You can plane off at 19 knots and hunker down when it gets sporty and she'll get you home without kicking your teeth in. I was leaning Yanmar but the cost is big, I'd look at the Merc 6.2 MPI as a good compromise.If you were to try the offshore/nearshore run, the diesel makes sense for reliability reasons as your a single. Don't give Finster any tips...

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

Hey Jeff, how you been? You doing the boat show? If you wanna hookup with Scott and me that'd be cool.
I tell you all about the SC IB I have my sights on. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

Would kill for one...

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

Crusader has a sweet 6.0 package rated at 375hp. Should make a nice mill for a 23.

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

Thanks for all the input guys, keep it coming. Anyone have any experience with higher horsepower plants like the one mentioned above? Do you think they would produce more speed than the 22K cruise everyone seems to get in an inboard SC 23 or is this a hull speed issue w/ the inboard 23?

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

I run a brand new EFI 350/350HP and it cruises 22-24knots on average. I think it is more of a hull speed thing and throwing more horsepower at is isn't going to bring you to a high 20's cruise.

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

I would be a little concerned with 375hp coming out of a 6-liter (355ci?) block. Doesn't seem like it would last as long as say a 260hp 350 block. You hear about the diesel motors being souped up and having troubles like the CAT 3208 at 435hp, so I would think the gas motors would have similar issues.

Some of it has to do with hull speed, but more of it must be related to the drag created by the running gear.

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

ScottM, yes you are correct hull speed is not the correct term, it's the drag of the running gear/angle of the prop etc....If it were hull speed the outboard versions wouldn't be any faster.

Senator Kerry had a blue Potter hull 23 with a pair of 225 mercs and no t-top and believe me that thing did more than 30knots! He kept it at a Marina I worked at when I was younger.

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

We took a 23' in on a trade on a larger boat about 10 years ago. It originally had a 120 hp volvo diesel inboard with a jackshaft to a sterndrive. I ran it like that for about a year in the gulf out of Freeport, tx. They run o.k. when they're light on fuel; maybe 18-20 knts. The main problem is it carries 120 gal. of fuel right in the stern. It was about 15knts full of fuel and the noise was deafening; would barely plane. Took out the deisel and put in a 454 Crusader with a 1:1 borg warner - went straight inboard. I think I've got a 14x13 3-blade on it. It planes at about 1800; cruises mid 20's at about 2800 slightly over 30 at 4300. The main problem getting speed out of a Seacraft is the weight of the hull and fuel placement. I personally prefer a heavier boat than a light flimsy one. They ride better and seem to be fairly indestructable within reason. It probably would have run a little better with a 1.5 gear to get some more prop under it; that goes back to the weight. All in all its been very comfortable for its size and low on maintenance. I was wondering if anyone had tried putting a 383 chevy in one with a 1.5 to one; it would be about 300lbs lighter;

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

Just for comparison, I run a 1975 Sceptre inboard, V-Drive, with a 260HP, 350. The prop is 16x15 and there is a reduction, 1:1.15 I think. On my GPS I get 19knts @2800rpm cruising and 30knts, with a clean bottom, @ 4200rpm.

My fuel, 62 gallons is forward of the engine. The wieght distribution allows my boat stay flat as you run up the rpms. Unlike other I/O boats I have run, there is no real transition when the hull planes out and speed picks up fast.

Re: Inboard SeaCrafts
 

my boat originally came from the factory with a volvo deisel but it was gone when i acquired the boat. I run a straight 1.52-1 and am turning a 16/15 lhw. Tide dependant (it was 6 knots today at cape henry) I get anywheres from 19 knots to 23 knots turning 3000/3200 rpms and burning around 9 gph with fairly light fuel. 30 gallons or so. garys boat (Knot Working with his newer 350/320?) does quite a bit better then me , maybe he will chime in- hope this helps- craig