Transom?

[tally20cc]

I recently purchased a project 1978 MA . The transom measures roughly 26" from the pad under the bilge drain to the top of the cap.
Would this be a factory 25" transom or did they ever make them that way from the factory?

It that is indeed a factory transom for a 25" engine does that mean that the deck will not have to be raised 3" or so to make it self bailing?

Also I pulle the tank cover and the tank is foamed in and other than around the sending unit appears to be in good shape. The tank is zinc oxide primed (greenish yellow) is /was this a factory job. I'm thinking aftermarket tank myself.

I plan on a complete restore of this boat with coosa transom and deck. Totally new wiring, narrowing the console, moving the batteries to the console etc.

I'm building my SeaCraft shed right now so I can work in the shade and keep the weather out of my way.

[Old'sCool]

Sunshine in Fla built my tank. Pretty sure they have drawings for a 20' also.

[Topflitegraphics]

Pretty sure the factory transom on all 78 MA's were 20" so yours has probably been redone already. Are you sure you need to redo it?

[tally20cc]

Thanks for the comeback. Yes I'm sure. Its got more flex than Golds Gym. Pulling back the aluminum trim piece reveals what may be Seacast or some other type pourable mat'l.
Sounding it with a hammer sounds like an out of tune drum set.

I got it as a straight up project so I was expecting to do the transom and deck anyway.

The tank appears to be in good shape surprisingly and it's zinc chromate primed so it's probably been replaced at some point too.


I was out finishing the 1x4 striping on the shed roof and lightning sent me running.

Have to finish it tomorrow... The sooner I get it done the better. I can work in the shade and the dry.


Nice job on your Seacraft too. It looks great.

[Bigshrimpin]

78 could be either 20 or 25.

Here's a 78 seafari with a 26" transom. See where the bottom engine bolts come through the splashwell in the 2nd picture. If you go down 1" you have issues. The issue is worse on the 20 MA slashwell. Also the thickness of the transom wood from the factory is NOT 2 sheet of 3/4" ply. It's one sheet of 3/4" and one 5/8" if I remember correctly.

[tally20cc]

Big, I believe after closer inspection it is the original transom. I pulled the aluminum trim back and found what I believe to be "Potter Putty" and plywood.

I measured again and it measures 26 1/4" inches to the top of the alum. trim.
The engine is mounted as low as it will go, and again you are correct. The two bottom mounting bolts are at the limit as to how low they could be.

I guess I'll fix that when I get along that far on it.

[flyingfrizzle]

Yea, the latter year transoms were raised to 25 inches or so. I know all 80's and above are but seems like Big Shrimpin is correct about they started changing them around 78


I have a 1978 master angler and it looks to be a factory 25" height. Mine was previously redone but it looks as if it was probably originally a factory 25" height before it was re-cored.

[lelandtampa]

My 78 MA is 20" transom. Hull # 39 that year.

[tally20cc]

Well I have determined that the transom is a factory "25" ( actually "26").

Can not figure out if the tank is original or not. It is zinc chromate primed and is 94 inches+/- by about 23 1/2" wide =/-. the compartment it sets in is around 8-10 " deep with foam all around. With out pulling the sending unit I cant tell how deep it is. Factory specs say 40 gallon standard and 70 gallon optional. I sure hope it's over 40.....
The tank has angle mounting brackets on the top that attach to nothing. I believe it is aftermarket.

I did finally get around to cranking the engine and it fired right up and ran great. I may put a paint job on it and use it until I find a deal on a much newer/ efficient one come along.

Going to put the tin on my SeaCraft shed on Saturday I hope. It's hot as Hades doing roofing right now. LOL

I'm a little further along than this pic shows , jogs are on, 1x4's trimmed, and concrete is poured around 6x6's.
16' 5V Tin will be no joke by myself. But Ill get her done. LOL.
On another front,

How do you decipher the HIN?

[lelandtampa]

SECM00390378 is mine
SEC is Seacraft
M is master angler
0039 is Hull #39
03 is March
78 is 1978.