My first SeaCraft!
 

Hi folks! First post. I have long enjoyed this forum! I came across a 20CC in original condition and bought it. The ser. no is 971, does this mean it is a 1971 or just a coincidence? It is registered as a 1969. I am the third owner and the original owner had it for around 40 years. The boat has a Mercruiser 140 I/O. White hull, seafoam green topsides, original gelcoat. She was a lake boat so no corrosion on the engine. The best I can tell she is pretty solid, transom seems good, no flex with me standing on the drive. There are some gel coat cracks below the waterline which will have to be dealt with. I need to post some pictures and I will when I can figure it out, but what is your opinion on any changes from original, such as rub rail change to stainless, removing the aluminum bow rails which are rough, leaning post versus single seat, etc. When a boat is this original I would hesitate to change anything. I want to just use it "as is" for awhile before doing anything drastic if at all. I need your voice of experience, Thanks in advance!

That maybe a 69 ,lots of IOs I have seen are that seafoam green from 69....photos would help....I am not tied and true on some of the serial numbers...I always thought mine was a 1970 SF OB that's what it is registered as ...But my boat has more features of a 1969...My ID plate is thin aluminum on the inside of the motor well it is worn and cant be read...from what I can figure mine has some Mosley and Potter and myself in her,,,,I owned mine for 27 years now.......
I am certain there are guys on here that know more in detail about year,

Joe R.
20ft Classic SeaCraft
Susie II

Test pic
http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...724_095007.jpg

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...724_094623.jpg

getting closer lol, Welcome aboard

Haha, Thanks!

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/n...724_094106.jpg

Looks like a 1969, I would bet it is. The 971 dose not mean 1971 the last 2 numbers on the hin on the back of the boat would tell you the year but anything pre 73 dose not have that. The console look like what I have seen on other 69's and the way the hull liner anchor locker cut out looks as a 69. If your scuppers go out the transom and not threw the floor bottom then it is a Moesly not a potter a true well built Classic!

Also the metal SeaCraft badging on the sides of the boat are a Moesly pre potter indication as well as the gas tank under the console too.

I have that exact same console on my 72. I believe it came from the 1970 20sf that was next to mine when I bought it

Thanks for the replies. The scuppers do go out the transom. I have read that Mr. Moesly and Mr. Potter worked together in 68 and 69, correct? Should I leave it dead stock or are changes with discretion acceptable.?

Welcome aboard! The boats were apparently registered in the year they were sold, but the early CC's were pretty hot sellers, so I'd guess your boat was most likely built in 68 or 69. I would consider it a Moesly boat, as Potter didn't really take over till '70, so it's extremely well built. The scuppers running out the transom are a +, as you can easily install the Raybud ping-pong ball check valves to prevent wet feet with a heavy load in back. The serial no. only indicates that it was hull number x71, as the serial numbers didn't all start at zero! The Moesly boats had a small fuel tank in the console, but nobody would blame you if you wanted to install a bigger tank under the deck/console.

The 140 MerCruiser was a 5 mpg rig and it'll be hard to beat that fuel consumption, even with a modern DI or 4S outboard, so I'd lean towards keeping the I/O if it's in good shape.

Thank you Bushwacker! The more I dig into this forum the more I learn. I will replace the crazed and cracked clear windscreen with a tinted one, remove the beat up bow rails for now, give it a buff and wax, service the drive and engine, go over the electrical system, etc. I am a lifelong boater and really love seeing all the fantastic rebuilds and restorations. I also have a Chris Craft Commander 36 TF that I spent 3 years bringing back to life so a rebuild of this SC doesn't really scare me but it would be nice to just use and enjoy, get to know it, for a while anyway. I grew up working on Mercruiser I/O's so that helps too with this one. The lower fuel burn is a huge plus. I live in Ga and my daughter lives in St Pete so this boat will see action mainly on the GOM. Thanks again!