I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Hi all,
I bought a 79 23'cc and I'm getting ready to address all the issues that are common to all the Seacrafts.
I've read a lot of transom, floor, scupper and fuel tank posts and feel like i have done a few already! Major kudos for all the progressive posts !!!

I haven't seen any posts about weight distribution vs attitude to the waterline except to move as much weight forward as possible. Has anyone floated an empty hull and noted the waterline?

I will be keeping the boat moored in freshwater (Lake Erie) for the majority of the time and as of this writing my thoughts are to keep the Armstrong bracket and a single 225 Mercury and add a new fuel tank around 100 gal along with the usual transom,deck and cap recore.
Thanks in advance, Mike

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Progress---I got the motors are off and the dismantling begins--2 sheets of 3/4 marineply and glass are coming.

I guess in my previous post i was looking for any info about the approximate center of gravity of a 23' cc. My boat originally was a jackshafted diesel and converted to a bracketed twin outboard. The scumline on the hull looks as though it squatted in the stern at rest. Id like to get closer to the intended weight distribution.

Thanks Mike

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Welcome aboard ledslinger.
I had a 23 seavette with twins and it too suffered the stern squat syndrome. Check out the photo galleries - specifically Diego Torians 23. Shows waterline relative to boot stripe in water and on trailer. Looks really well balanced with a fairly light but capable single engine...The '73 Brochure shows a 23 Sceptre - that is how I'd rather have a 23 sit; wet ride - maybe... but trim tabs are a wonderful thing.

Good luck going forward, and get some pre-op pics up. :cool:

P.S. I just picked up a 21 just north of Toledo, with Meinke Marina stickers all over it... sound familiar?

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Thanks McGillicuddy, The brocure shows a good view of how it floats when it is new. Maybe floating the boat before it is completed might be in order.

I should be able to get more disassembled during the next week. I'll read how to post pics---i've taken some as i go for reference.

Congrats on the 21 from Meineke Marina, I have only fished around Toledo a couple times, 60 miles from me. About 1/2 way between lie the Bass islands and numerous shoals and reefs where most of my fishing was done in my friends 23 Seacraft.

Thanks Mike

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

A single 225 with a floatation bracket will most likely be pretty level, I doubt mine squats more than 4" and I'm running twins. I have to plug the splashwell drains because they're under about an inch but I don't think there is a 23 out there with twins that sets high enough to go without them. I plan on running the old merc's until one goes and then enclosing the transome and adding a bracket as I also run my boat on Erie. First boat I've owned with a notched transome and it gets a little hairy trolling in a following sea. Never really had a problem but I don't like it when the waves start to build and stack up.

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Heres my '73 23' w/aluminum bracket, 250 Yam 2S, 2 batteries, oil tank, couch and wife in back w/prob 60 gals. fuel.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t/DSC_0369.jpg

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

I have twins 130hp Johnson loopers sits good no water with just me at the transom 200+lbs but I also have a 25" transom for twins and I would need a 30" single I might have a picture somewhere

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Bridgeman, I've seen your boat in what looked like, to me, a used car lot by Lake Rd and Rt 11. We went back the next week to see if it was for sale and it was gone. That HAD to be your boat!---I fish west of Cleveland in a 27' inboard but it isnt so bad til it turns northeast. My 23 has an enclosed transom and a bracket already but i cant see getting it going this year. Thanks for the help, Mike

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Reelescape1---If mine sits like yours ---i'll be extremely happy!

Castalot---Id love to have two 130s ---I dont think its in the cards :(

Thanks Mike

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Mike-Great to see the boat is getting the attention it deserves! I am excited for you and a bit envious. I will keep looking for the prop locks. I ended up getting the twin of my old 18SF afew days later after the sale. I'm looking forward to following your progress.........

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

I have removed the fish box from in front of the console and slid my fuel tanks up that distance (aprox 24 in) to help with the 'squat'. I am putting he fish box under the leaning post so I dont loose any storage. I am also planning on running an alum 'dual' motor bracket for more flotation.

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

That was my ride...I'll never sell her. The guy who owns the lot is a good egg, lets me park it there for cheap. I've been parking my boats there for decades.

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Thanks Danny, I wont be needing them for a while yet.

This 23 inboard is one of the jackshafted diesels that was converted to a bracket and outboards. Ive made it past the twin diesel tanks and they are in pretty good shape but i may change a few things and install new. Hopefully I can get the center console off this evening. Its interesting that the transom is foam cored (2-1/4" total thickness)at first I thought it was balsa---in any case, its coming out and 2 layers of 3/4 marine ply going in.
Thanks Mike

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Progress ! Tanks are out--center console is out and stripped all the wiring and attacking the transom. I cut the rear cap with the fish box and bait wells where it was cracked on both sides where the filled in hawes pipes were. A friend has a cnc router and cut a half template of the transom from my autocad drawing. If it looks like a good fit with the template he can cut the 2 sheets of 3/4 marine ply with a phone call :). The foam cored transom is being dismantled. The foam was broken off the original outer skin on both sides which probably let the transom move in and out with the twin 225's and i assume cracked the cap at the cockpit corners.
http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/...acraft034s.jpg

Havin' fun yet?---Looks like some history there!
The original diesel tanks look good except for the steel around the sending units. I'll seal them up and test them to the original 4 psi and try to hold it and check them for a pressure loss in the morning---if they look good i'll get them boiled out and clean them up and reuse them.
Thanks Mike

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Floor Skins

Has anyone used Sequentia Fiberglass panels for a floor skin? http://www.fiberglasssheets.com/FRP/...P-Liner-Panels
I don't think my original floor is worth saving. The thickness is .090 and has a pebbled glossy texture (it may be slippery when wet) I laid up a 12" piece with 4 pcs of 3/4 mdo and put on a skin on the bottom of 1708 and West System. I'll try to wet it and see how slippery it is with boat shoes.
Thanks Mike :eek:

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Welcome to CSC ledslinger!

Single 250hp / Seamark Flotation Bracket, 135 gals Fuel

PM Sent



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...hellback06.jpg

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Capt Chuck,

Sweet looking ride!

Thanks Mike

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

:eek: Minor Setback ! After getting all the foam blocks out of the transom, I started cleaning up around the edges and then I realized that the foam core layer was sitting upon a layer of 1/4" thick Bondo. That probably didn't help with preventing the delamination of the transom. I started removing it in chuncks with a chisel and hammer and ended up sharpening a masonary hammer and taking it out in big pieces rather than turning it all into dust with a grinder. A 2 hr effort got it about 1/2 done.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to handle all the plugged holes in the outer skin? Some holes were plugged with plywood, others with Bondo and many others with caulk, dowels and silicone. The one thing for sure---there's a lot of them ! [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

I am having the same problem with some half-ass repair jobs on mine... I was told to grind everything back to glass, and bevel the old glass. Then repair in layers. first a 2 inch wide strip, then another layer that is slightly bigger (say 3 inches) then 4 inches, etc. until you get back to the original glass thickness. Then grind the surface down to flat.

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Hi Ken,
Thats kinda the way i was thinking---i didn't feel right closing up the transom with the wood repair at the bottom---its pretty wet. I used an air chisel on the rest of the filler, it went pretty fast. One more session and i should be filling all the holes.

Thanks Mike

Re: I'm at the tip of the iceberg
 

Easter, Mother's day, Merlefest, Theater---Finally got some time in the boat. Picking up the diesel tanks tomorrow---boiled and tested--They look good and I'll use them.

I filled all the holes in the transom til they flushed up to the inside, put a layer of 1708 and 2 sheets of marine fir and another layer of 1708. My plan is to tab the sides and put a horizontal stiffner about in the center and of course gusset the stringers to the transom.

Holes filled

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/...craft20036.jpg

Transom laminated

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/...craft20045.jpg

Floors are next.
Thanks Mike