Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

About 2 weeks ago a purchased a 20ft MA. The boat was not in bad shape (at least that's what I thought). Perhaps I got inspired by reading Stricks' amazing posts on "here we go again" that gave me the courage to tackle this project. I don't have much experience working with resins, glass or paint. What I do have is a very strong desired and the image in my head of what I would like the boat to look like. I had boats before, but never a Seacraft (my dream boat).

So, I would like to get your thoughts, ideas, suggestions and to share your experiences in order to minimize any major screw ups on my part. I have same pics that I will try to post to give you an idea of what things looked like on day one.

My biggest question now is, since I have to redo the transom (their is mulch inside).......should I close the transom?....I always wanted a bracket, but wouldn't required me to get new steering and controls cables, power steering (doesn't have it) and a cosmetic modification to stern of the boat because of how high the two storage boxes sit in the back? http://IMG_0043.JPG

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

Great boat by the way :D, I would try and keep it as simple as possible as there is plenty of work. Maybe just raise the transom 5" from 20 to 25 seems that would be easier

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

I wouldn't put a bracket on her. Just raise it to a 25.

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

thank you both for the suggestions. My questions is....Why wouldn't you put a bracket on her (besides the obvious fact of the additional labor and $$$$? just curious.

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

another silly question I have is ....if i raise the transom another 5 inches, would i need to replace my o/b for one with a 25" shaft?

thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

by the way, i already removed the old wood from the transom and have the pictures of the process, but dont know how to post them.

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

The bracket on a 20 center console has been done by a few. Capt. Lloyd went so far as to make his own large floatation tub to give better static trim and it has worked well. The balance of the boat is set back farther with the bracket and the planing characteristics are affected.

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

Thank you Snookerd for the technical response. I now a little discourage from going with the bracket based on what i now know. But, can I keep the same 20" shaft engine if I raised the transom 5"?

by the way, that is one great looking boat you have as part of your signature....i am green with envy. ;)

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

Yes, the 25" shaft would require you to either go thru the trouble of putting a longer lower unit on there or getting another motor. The extra 5 inches is for keeping the sea out! Go to photobucket.com and open an account for free. You upload pics there and then copy the direct link address and go back to classicseacraft.com while in the process of making a new posting, click the blue colored "image" listing in the instant UBB
Code Section and paste to there.

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

[image]http://s411.photobucket.com/albums/pp196/ROBCAR/[/image]

ok I am giving it a shot....thanks again Snookerd

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

Nice try, the link to each picture should be next to each individual photo on photobucket, not the web address for photobucket. Keep trying your getting close...........

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

Thanks for the compliment!

Rob-The 20 Master Angler has become quite a sought after boat due to less numbers being produced and the modifications in the cap,ect.. Good luck with her..........

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

let's see if this works
http://s411.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=IMG_0045.jpg

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

here is one of the deck area
http://s411.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=IMG_0041.jpg

here is one of the transom before demolitionhttp://s411.photobucket.co...t=IMG_0037.jpg

during demolitionhttp://s411.photobucket.co...t=IMG_0051.jpg

here is pic of the mulch (no plywood) inside the transomhttp://s411.photobucket.com/a...t=IMG_0038.jpg

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

Look for the image link code on photobucket where it says direct link(copy that) and click image on the new CSC post page where it says Instant UBB Code (and paste the link). Here is your picture:

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/p...R/IMG_0045.jpg
Looks good!

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/p...R/IMG_0041.jpg
http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/p...R/IMG_0051.jpg
http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/p...R/IMG_0038.jpg
http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/p...R/IMG_0050.jpg

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

http://http://i411.photobucket.com/a...R/IMG_0049.jpg

I think I got it....thanks Snookerd

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

Your welcome Rob..........

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

http://http://i411.photobucket.com/a...R/IMG_0047.jpg http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/p...R/IMG_0047.jpg

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

uhmmm....they say a picture is worth a thousand words....please give me your comments. what would you do to this boat and its transom?

most of the work done and posted have been on 20's SF...not much for MA

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

Robert, I started to answer your bracket questions, but decided to start a whole new thread because that's a whole big subject in itself! Just posted the new thread. Nice looking boat by the way! Looks like you're already pretty far into a rebuild! Denny

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

Thanks for the comment Bush. I will check out your new thread about brackets and hopefully it will help me make my decision on the bracket/transom issue.

And yes, that is what two of my friends say. One of them, a former tech for Mercedes Benz, has already helped me with the 200 HP Mercury. We took it out last week to clean the carbs, impeller, seals, oils, ...etc. And on top of that, I have been trying to put few hours of work on the boat everyday (when possible). Today for example, I decided to work from my house (i also have a home office) but spent most of my day removing the old wood from the transom and picking up the Marine plywood needed for the job...all in one day (not bad) Truth is, I just want to put her in the water.

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...246_Medium.jpg

raising the transom 5"

http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...r=62097&Forum=,,All_Forums,,&Words=transom&Searchpage=0&Limit=25 &Main=61623&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=272&dat erange=1&newerval=100&newertype=w&olderval=&oldert ype=&bodyprev=#Post62097

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

Keep that merc . . . Those old 2.4L chrome bore motors last forever. I ran a 1981 v225 on the black seacraft for a few years and I run a 1979 v200 on my seafari. The seafari cruises at 34/35mph and I average 3.5mpg at that speed. Those early motors are light (360 lbs) same weight as a 130 yamaha or a 115 etec. If it runs great then there's no reason to replace it . . . if you raise the transom 5" then you can buy the kit from bayMFG or cobble together your own from a pieces off a 80's merc that blew up (water tube, 25" lower with long bolts and 5"spacer, shift shaft). There are hundreds of them out there for $200 - $500. The downside is that the powerhead is probably frozen onto your mid section so swapping the shift shaft might not be easy (you can buy the shift shaft extension seperatly from BayMFG). WaterTube is just 1/2 copper pipe 23 3/4 for 25" motor and 18 3/4 for your 20".

Re: Overhauling a 1979 20ft MA
 

I just finished a compelte refit of my 78 Master Angler. I replaced and raised the transom to 25 inches, I replaced the deck, removed and recored the topcap.

I hope my pictures will be helpful. If you have any questions, let me know.

-Alex

Master Angler Restoration