New 20 Open Fisherman
 

I just could not resist the opportunity to pick up this 1970 20' Open Fisherman with a 1980 Evinrude 85 HP and 1957 Johnson 5-1/2 HP kicker.

http://www.foodmachinery.com/CSC/SC20a.jpg

She was in a local marina on consignment listed as a "Seacrest". The floors and transom are solid, the motor runs as well as one could expect and she rides like a dream. Initial sea trials (that ended with several small mouth bass in the box) on the St. Lawrence River indicate a economy cruising speed of 20 - 23 MPH, a fast cruise at 26 MPH and a WOT of 32 MPH. There is no tach, just a gas guage.

http://www.foodmachinery.com/CSC/SC20b.jpg

The owner was the original owner, who bought it in Florida and brought it up to his summer cottage on the river. It has never seen salt water.

http://www.foodmachinery.com/CSC/SC20c.jpg

The final price with sales tax was $2,400 and we motored away to the cottage, 15 miles down river. The heavy confused chop was nothing for the 20's hull.

http://www.foodmachinery.com/CSC/SC20d.jpg

A little elbow grease and she'll look like new... Back to the Four Boat Theory. Will it ever end? Life is good...

http://www.foodmachinery.com/CSC/SC20e.jpg

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Otto....way to go on that one !!! What a find, what a find... Looks great

Do you still have your Whaler ?

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

That is one sweet looking 20' Seacraft, and the '57 Johnson is just TOO COOL! $2400.00?........... I want one too!!

rockdoc

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Man you have found some of the best deals! that boat looks great. Congrats FBT!!

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

I sold the 1963 13' Sport this spring. Also sold the Moesly to RocDoc and a couple of others to get under the 4 boat mark. I promptly acquired a new Triumph 195 center console (150 Yamaha 4s & t-top)and this little beauty. The Triumph is no comparison to the ride of the SC20, despite it costing more than 10 times more.

So - let's review: 1989 SC 23CC, 1970 SC 20CC, 1970 SC 20 Seafari, 2006 Triumph 195CC. That's the current FOUR BOAT THEORY...

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

As Capt. Chuck so aptly put it today "You Suck!" Here's some more images:

The kicker is a 1957 Johnson 5-1/2 with original steel tank stored up in the fish box.

http://www.foodmachinery.com/CSC/SC20f.jpg

The original teak hatches were replaced with painted plywood some years ago. The scuppers are in the floor, but exit through the transom. And yes, your feet can get wet.

http://www.foodmachinery.com/CSC/SC20g.jpg

The helm seat/ deck box appears aftermarket.

http://www.foodmachinery.com/CSC/SC20h.jpg

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Hey Otto, how are ya? Nice steal, uh, I mean, find! That thing has vintage written all over it. I stole my second Whaler last weekend. Another 15 which will be refurbed like the 82. I hope I didn't catch that Four Boat Theory while fishing with you and Part I last spring. I'm currently at 3.5 and holding!

BTW, we both appreciate the T-shirts as much as the time we had that we had actually fishing.

I'm taking the Jersey Skiff to Lake Norman (Charlotte) Sept. 8-9, then off to Cape Cod for Stripers until Oct. 3rd. Part I will not be in attendance at ACBS show and I need a rider! He will however be dragging it up to Jersey Shore Sept. 23 and 24 to join 35 other skiffs. Gonna be around? Good luck with the new ride. Part II.

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

I seriously doubt it. I'm at three; the Seafari, the lovely Bowrider, and the 18' Maritime Skiff, along with three canoes and two kayaks....... currently looking to add an aluminum jon boat for the ponds and largemouth bass. That "SeaCrest" for $2400? In a heartbeat!

rockdoc

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Nice score Otto. I had a feeling that 85hp 'Rude would give you some decent performance.

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Scott - Thanks. You were right about the 85. It's plenty with limited top end. 32 MPH will work with a crap prop...

Capt. Chuck - This image is from the brochure that came with the boat. Did they sell them without seats? Mine has a 1980 build tag on it. What's up with that?

http://foodmachinery.com/CSC/SC20z.jpg

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Awesome deal! WOW!
That is just like my 1970, just flip the colors.

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

I know my Dads '72 had seats and I think the flip back bench seat was an option. The one I have at home came off a '73. Those alum side tracks on the bottom is the sure giveaway. Matter of fact my '78 came with one when I bought it in '85.....
Very cool picture as that Live Bait thru Hull can be seen on the transom at the waterline. Many members have seen this circular indentation in the transom when they are ripping them out and questioned it. Also, it looks like an old Furuno or Ross fineline depth/fish finder on the console? I hope your brouchure is complete as it needs to be scanned to the literature section.

As far as the build tag, I can't help you there as in 1970 I don't think they had Title/Hull ID numbers yet. Jason or ScottM can give you the better facts on that deal.

Good Luck with her (You stole it dude :eek:)

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

What a deal!! a little wet sanding, compound, and wax that boat will look like new!!

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Boats built after November 1, 1972 had to bear a 12-character HIN. Before that, the builder would place a serial number on a plate somewhere in the boat. My '72 Seabird has the original builder's tag and a 5-digit serial #. However, a 12-character HIN was assigned to the boat by the Mass. registry officials when it was brought up here from Florida a few years ago.

Otto, what exactly does the builder's tag say?

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Sorry, what I meant originally was about the helm seat - asking if it was original as THE SEAT'S BUILD TAG said 1980. I guess that sort of answers my own question or it's a replacement of the original. Either way it's a comfortable seat with great dry storage, so it's staying.

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

I went down to the dock and looked at my seat on my 70.
I think it is or was the same seat you have on this one.

I think someone removed the flip back portion though.
It has the same aluminum slide rail set up and it pretty much the same in appearance.

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Otto,
When I picked up my 1973 20ft it had the same style seat with flip back. I gave it to another forum member. This is the only picture that I have of it.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...tfromstern.jpg

Luis

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

I eliminated the old 1958 Johnson kicker and went with a 2004 Yamaha 2.5 4 stroke I had in the stable.

http://www.foodmachinery.com/CSC/New kicker.jpg

Although my daughters dunked it in fresh water for 1/2 hour and then told me 3 weeks later, it cleaned up fine and started on the first pull. The main motor serves well as a tiller so the boat can be steered from the helm.

I also found out that this hull was probably built in 1969 or early 1970, therefore it was both designed and built (supervised) by Carl Moesly. Apperently, he left the company in mid 1970.

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

My '71 had that same flip-back seat, and here is a shot of the same seat formerly in Luis' '73 boat pictured above as it now lives on my dock (new top is currently being fabricated) -



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...a/11069c8f.jpg

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Mark,

Thanks for the image and comments. I really like the seat for storage and comfort. It's a little close to the console for standing, but great for sliding up to the console and flipping the back to jig or watch the lines. In fact, it's nice for relaxing and drinking beer. So far, this boat has raised Small Mouth Bass, Perch, Northern Pike to 30" and a Muskie around 42" without turning a wrench or a screw driver. Is that the NO BEER THEORY? :cool:

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Otto,
Great deal and nice boat. My (supposed 1974) has the same layout, rubrail, and SeaCraft decal. I am starting to believe it is a 1970. How did you confirm the year of this boat? Oh yea and how does that scupper layout work? DO they bail at the dock? Thanks and way to go!

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Mine does not have a hull id in the typical spot. I think that is usually a good sign of it being pre 72.

As for the scuppers, mine bails fine at the dock with noone in it. As soon as I get in I throw plugs in them.

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

I have had 2 if those seats, they work very well for everything, just a note I trimmed about 8 to 10" off the backrest to a mid-back area. Makes it much easier to walk around and seems to make the boat feel bigger inside, more comfortable as well. Nice little rig

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

The Decal Secraft logo confuses me. My '70 had the Metal 'screwed on' Emblem.

The salt has beat it up and is no longer on the boat. It's on a shelf at home. It would be cool if someone would duplicate that.

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Tony

I have been thinking about doing just that for awhile. Since you have an original that can be used for a casting mold, why don't you check out a few metal shops on pricing? Make sure you price polished stainless steel.

I as well as others I'm sure would be interested in a pair :D

BTW: Shoot me a picture of the one on the shelf and maybe I can ask around in this area....

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

I've been told some models were called 1970 because that was the year they were sold and titled, but may have been built in prior years. That would explain a lot...

I'd be interested in seeing an image of the cast name plates you took off your 1970. That's got Moesly written all over it, especially if it says Sea Craft in two words, like Roc Doc's (my former) 1965 Moesly bowrider.

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Otto- here is whats left of mine, port and starboard.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN5206.JPG http://www.casdvm.com/photos/20sf/DSCN5207.JPG

strick

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Thanks, Chuck. Those are Moesly era. I'm not a fan of that particular "font".

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

I dont really care for it either I'd like to find something simular to what's on my 23.

http://www.casdvm.com/photos/DSCN4028.JPG


strick

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

Here are the side logo and the plate on the '65 Bowrider.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...c05/BRname.jpg

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h2...05/BRplate.jpg

rockdoc

Re: New 20 Open Fisherman
 

If any body can figure out how to make some original type metal "SeaCraft" logos, I'd take 4!!!!!