spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

I own a 1976 23 CC that has mahogany spray rails. The guy that I bought it from a few years ago bought it from someone in FLA. I think the boat has a leak in the rear section and I want to remove them. the question is will I see a big difference in the boats handling and ride without them. they are 4 inches wide and run from the bow to about 12 inches away from the stern. Any thoughts ?

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

I cannot help becasue I have not been on a 23CC with them. I would also be very curious to hear some feedback from anyone who has been on a 23CC with spray rails.

I am at the point in my rebuild where I could pretty easily make them and fair them into the hull before painting.

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

If you have the vertical scuppers that go through the bottom, check those first. The brass tubes, particularly the flared areas, tend to corrode and leak over time. A search for "leaking scuppers" will bring up a number of threads on the subject.

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

i have them on my boat and seen them on a couple on here but have yet to hear how they ride. but i hear there amazing and kick ass. do you have a pic of your boat

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

I replaced the vertical scuppers this year but it was not the problem.

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

ok im calling on all the SEACRAFT afficinados Here !! somebody must have an opinion or some experience on spray rails on a 23 cc. Does the boat need em ? Tell me what You think.

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

Old experience here, but from 1974-1990, on my dad's 23' Tsunami (became Sceptre), I/O, modest V-8, I don't recall ever getting much spray over the bow.

In addition, I've got them on my new-to-me 20'CC, rear-heavy, and I HATE the way they dig in if you don't pay attention while cutting across a modest wake. If the boat is leaning into a wave, the sprayrails seem to just pull down the side going into the wave.

Also, are they really 4"? I can't wrap my brain around what that looks like, and how they aren't getting ripped off the side of the boat.

...just my 2-cents...

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

I've never seen a 4" spray rail, AND I've never seen a spray rail run more than 1/2 the length of the boat., and only one where it was longer than about 1/3 the length of the boat. (And that was on a 26' Albemarle trawler hull)

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

I have the same rails on my boat. I decided to keep them because fixing the 40-60screw holes and then having some oddly colored stripes down the sides of the boat wasn't an option. I was not going to paint the boat this year, that would have changed my decision I think. I am really interested to see how they run.

I would dig out the old sealant best you can, run some tape on the hull and the wood, and seal them back up with 3M 4000uv.
Those are longer than mine! I thought mine were a little excessive because they go below the old water line.

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/t...b/P8270072.jpg

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

Wildman those are the same ones I have only mine go back further and are bottom painted. the boat rides awsome and is dry as a bone but I have nothing to compare it to as i have never riden in one without rails. I will be repainting the hull so my dilema is do I want to go through the hassel of putting them back on. I have a leak that I cant find and believe may be associated with the rail.

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

wildman I am interested in closing in my transom as well. I have a 250 suzuki 25 inch shaft that I want to reuse. What bracket and shaft size motor are You using?

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

My dad and brother, who had this 20' CC OB boat for 18 months before I "inherited" it (with leaks, bad transom) started calling the sprayrails "the tip-strips", because of how it would pull the bow down under certain circumstances. Did they make that up, or hear it somewhere? Is their experience (strips pulling the boat down) universal? only on 20's? Incompetent piloting?

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

I have owned a 23 and 2-20's. I put spray rails on one of my 20MA thinking they were going to help. They helped with the spray put did not let me take full advantage of the trim tabs and in a sea with some chop they would not let the bow dig down as far and kinda made the boat ride alittle funny. Basically it did not ride as well.
So I decided I would rather have a better ride and get wet, then not get wet and not have as good of a ride. Curtains are a must on boats!!!
These Seacrafts are very seaworthy. Had mine out 60 miles this past weekend and caught 6 wahoos, 21 dolphins, 3 blackfins, 30 triggers, 20 beeliners. And only used 40 gallons of gas :eek:

Thinking of restoring another 23 soon and I will not put rails on mine.

If anyone is interested in some spray rails I will give them a good deal. They are plastic ones about 10ft long/each.

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

Very curious. I've been chasing a leak as well, assuming first it was the transom, then the scuppers (replaced/sealed). The sprayrails look intact, but maybe need a closer look?

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

If they are bottom painted I would be suspect. Dig out some of the old sealant and run a new bead.

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

hey would you ride these spray rails in big seas i have the same ones as wild man. and i go out alot in big wave full trottle but never with the spray rails. how bad will they dig.

Re: spray rail question on a 23 cc
 

Seacrafts are amazing boats, we all know that,but in some occasions and conditions they don't deflect water as well as some newer hull designs with more flare at the top. i will take the trade off any day, but some curtains and use em when u need em. I vote no to rails they don't let the hull run as efficiently as it was design to run. just my 2 cents.