spray rail question on a 23 cc

gchop · #1 09-13-2011, 09:50 AM

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 ?

shine · #2 09-13-2011, 11:10 AM

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.

Bushwacker · #3 09-13-2011, 01:49 PM

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.

george90 · #4 09-13-2011, 10:14 PM

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

gchop · #5 09-14-2011, 01:52 PM

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

gchop · #6 09-15-2011, 01:27 PM

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.

pianewman · #7 09-15-2011, 03:17 PM

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...

Fr. Frank · #8 09-15-2011, 05:05 PM

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)

Wildman · #9 09-15-2011, 05:12 PM

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.

gchop · #10 09-16-2011, 09:51 AM

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.