18 owners feedback
 

I just purchased a 1978 18 foot cc and had a few questions I was hoping some current or former owners could help me answer.


1,) Livewell – What is the best plan of attack here? I know from reading the archives that the original setup pretty much makes this livewell useless except for hauling around 40 gallons of rainwater. I would really like the ability to have this as usable space so I would prefer not sealing it up permanently.

I was thinking of cutting out the livewell and improving the gutter system so that it would not fill with rainwater. Also, I would like to be able to make the livewell a lift out / removable well so that I could have access to the bilge. Any ideas as to weather or not this would work?

2.) Deck drainage system--

Is the 18 footer self bailing or not? Currently there are two drain holes in front of the motor well that drain directly into the bilge. I would rather plug these and have the water run out the two drainholes located in the transom. If I put the ping pong ball style drain covers on the transom will this be sufficient to let the water out of the boat?


I am trying to come up with a plan of attack to address these issues and any help would be appreciated.

Re: 18 owners feedback
 

I have an 18 ft '86 Seacraft and just started replacing the deck after procrastinating for 3 years.

1. My boat has a 135 HP Mariner on it. My drain holes (which drain out the transom) are always plugged. I've read that deck should be raised at least 2" if you want a true self bailing cockpit. I will probably not as it will leave very little freeboard inside. My '72 23 ft boat had a great scupper system that syphoned water out the bottom.

2. The bait well ahead of the engine is useless and I just cut it out.

3. You might find a few pictures of a gutter system if you do a search through the rebuild stories. I decided against it as I do not see benefit. I will attempt to camber the new deck outward. right now I am leaning toward Nidacore as I want this deck to last.

4. This is a great riding little boat and other then dealing with outboard engines and fuel problems I am very happy with it.

Re: 18 owners feedback
 

The 18 is a great hull, I have a 76 that had a 20 in transom, it had a Evinrude 150 on it and was always taking on water from the scuppers and over the transom from the weight of the 150. I put the pingpong style on it and it helped reduce the water by at least 75%. If you cut out the back of the live well you will have access to the bilge area. I put on a flotation bracket and closed in the transom, The scuppers were relocated so the hull is still self bailing.

Re: 18 owners feedback
 

I had a '76 18' and I don't personally think a Potter era 18' with a modern day outboard is a self-bailing boat.

That compartment in the floor directly in front of the engine wound up being a trash recepticle in mine but I've seen others that were plumbed to be a livewell.

Re: 18 owners feedback
 

Hi All,
I just bought a 1989 Tracker built 18 cc, do these later model years have an improved self bailng cockpit?
Walter

Re: 18 owners feedback
 

I have a 76 18' with a lighter weight 99 Johnson 150 and 25" transom. I use ball scuppers which work well to keep water out but only drain when the boat is moving. I installed bait wells under my leaning post and use the "live well" for my bait well pumps and transducer. I plumbed the well with a 500 gph auto pump and just pump out the water that does get in. I made a splash well board from starboard with drains witch I usually keep pluged. We use lots of live bait here in S.W. Florida, so I also plumbed the front well to hold a couple inches of water for when the bites really on!! These 18's are great boats which draw very little water and still handle rough water well. Enjoy!

Re: 18 owners feedback
 

Waltert-
The Tracker Hulls do have better self-bailing vs. the 80's hulls and probably the Potter's too :o. The weight is less, and I believe the placement of the console is more forward as well, so your chances at self bailing is good. Anything over a 358 lbs 130 Yamaha is asking for the ball scuppers or keeping the plugs in while cruising. I have a great deal of experience on this boat and 3 different motor set-ups and they do run hard and are a pocket type center console that can take the slop that others of similar size cannot. As for that floor live well, cutting it out for bildge access is a good idea.

Re: 18 owners feedback
 

deepsushi- my 78 18' has the drains out the transom- pingballs fixed most of the problem. also moved console and fuel tank 4" forward. 115 e-tec pushes boat just fine + weight - much less than 150 etc. Baitwell floods- haven't solved the problem but use a drop in bilge pump to pump it out- after a very heavy rain. Thinking of closing it off and using the thru hull for removable baitwell nearer console- under leaning post. Great boat- had her since she was born.

Re: 18 owners feedback
 

I've got an 1987 18'. I had the same problem with the useless floor well filling with water that came in from the low transom "ramp". I made a board out of 3/4" starboard and put a piece of "u"-shaped mohogany on the top for a cap. I ran a bead of silicone to keep the water out. Works great! Looks nice too! I also use the ball-scuppers by rabud. To drain the floor well, I drilled a small hole and installed a strainer/plug set up that goes into the bilge. The only thing I have used the well for is lobster in the Keys. For live bait I use a 23 gallon kodiak removable.