Re: Purchase " box seats "
Chris,
Yup - doing the 'ole switch'aroo... I bought the boat from Fla. via a friend of a friend.
It's a 1975 23' Tsunami. I wanted the cuddy version of the 23'. The only negative for this model is the very limited access to the bow ( I have a 20' Grady overnighter that gives me great access and a lot of storage ). However, the Grady is a 'pounder' and ready for a new outboard, so I reasoned that now is the time to upgrade. It was between a Seacraft and a 25 Bertram "moppie". This Seacraft came up first.
My Seacraft has (2) 140HP i/o's - mid 1980's w/ older generation alpha drives. The transom has to be re-done no matter what ( from the inside ) and (1) motor has a blown timing chain, the other runs.
I've reviewed all the options. An i/o is NOT my dream scenario; and re-installing (2) new i/o's is the easier project, but seems like twice the headache down the road.
A single o/b seems like it would always be run @ high RPM's - two outboards is the ultimate I think. Believe me, if $ were not an issue, I would go w/ (2) HPDI, or (2) 4 stroke outboards. That's also twice the headache... Not to mention the motors are very $$$, the bracket is very $$$... So.....
(1) big, new i/o w/ a bullet-proof bravo 2 drive is where I'm headed. I'm very meticulous so I know the motor and drive will be well cared for.
As for doing the work. I've taken on projects like this before ( re-doing sailboats, re-building engines ) - but this is a big undertaking. A little at a time. No doubt there are going to be days where I want to sink the damn @#$%^& thing. That's the beauty of fading memory; in a year from now, when I'm fishing - it will all be a distant, fading memory of blood, sweat and tears.. and of course, fiberglass dust...
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