Turning a 20' Seafari into a Ctr.console??

[bigeasy1]

Ok don't start throwing rotten fruit at me for even thinking this,but let's say I had a chance to pickup a 20 seafari for a very low price that is in reasonably good condition,and wanted to change it into an open floor plan like a ctr console or forward seating.I'm sure it's not an econmically bright idea.

Is it feasible or am I crazy for even thinking this? I'm doing a little pipe dreaming here,about maybe having a platform to fish some inshore saltwater with,when I'm not on the 23 Tsunami 400 miles from home.
Seeing as I'm only about an hour from the salt,I figured that it may be a nice change to fish for some species that taste better than the Salmon I catch on the Great lakes.

I know the wise thing would be to just buy a used ctr console,but for reasons Even I can't understand I'm starting to think I need a project.I hate even saying this,as it's almost blasphemy,but I'm not a fan of the looks of the seafari's I'm sorry,don't hate me.

So tell me, am I nuts??I think I know the answer already I just need some verification

[McGillicuddy]

Yeah Big John, You're nuts
Why would you wanna cut up a face so reminiscent of Flipper

[Tiny]

You're nuts :-). Or like some of us, your a guy who should be doing something else with his time, but sees this as a great opportunity to stay "busy" for a very long time...all said in good fun!

[Bushwacker]

Hi John,

As you would probably expect, I second Gillie's comments, for both economic and moral reasons! What you are proposing is a LOT more work than the extensive restoration you did on your Sceptre. Another member recently proposed doing the same thing. Big Shrimpin and others advised him that from a practical standpoint he'd be WAY ahead in both time and money to buy an old beat up CC and just restore it. They literally made thousands of CC models from about '68 right up until just a couple of years ago. Seafari's on the on the other hand, were only built for 10 years by Moesly and Potter and only about 700 or so exist, so it just seems wrong to destroy something that rare and unique to turn it into something that's relatively common.

As far as looks are concerned, I realize that beauty is in they eye of the beerholder, but I personally think that both the Seafari 20 & 25, along with some of the downeast lobster boats have some of the most beautiful lines of any boat ever built. All the modern cuddy cabin boats look more like glorified clorox bottles to me than real boats! Denny

[bigeasy1]

Ok you guys sold me on leaving it as is.Whew! thanks,I needed that.Maybe I'll buy it and use it just as it is.I can get it cheap,it's got the usual wear and tear on it,some dings and chips,a couple soft spots in the deck.Transom seems solid though.Trailers in decent shape.

It needs a motor,It had a 150 merc on it but it was shot.What size outboard would be best on it?
I think i could grow to love it.I'd have to go with a used engine,what would you recommend?
I figure if I could pick up a good running outboard for a reasonable price,I could be into it for cheap money,maybe under 2 grand.

[McGillicuddy]

For me this hull is about weight management. Especially if a 20" transom.

If you plan to arm yourself like you do for Salmon you'll want the lightest motors available.

Old school:
Yamaha 130
Mercury Inline 6 115
Evinrudes V4 115
Merc 2.0L 135-150 hp (a little on the heavy side but still only about 375 lbs) and 2.4L 150-200 hp

Current:
Suzuki 90
Etec 90-130
Optimax 115-125
Tohatsu 90-115

Several others like the Yamaha f115 and the merc 115 4s are about 400 lbs. Only bigger motors I'd consider are etec 150 and Suzuki 140 if you have a 25 inch transom. Their power to weight ratio and reliability records warrant their inclusion.

[bigeasy1]

Thanks Gillie I only plan on using it to bang around and no plans for downriggers or that kind of stuff,just something reliable to allow me to maybe fool around at the CT and RI shores for fluke,and the like.
I can't justify the expense that I have sunk into the Tsunami.I just want to keep it simple,and I'm hooked on anything Seacraft.
I think it would be kind of relaxing having something more bare bones yet mechanically sound,something that I wouldn't care if I put a few scratches in it.
The seller is a neighbor of mine,and he's advertised it on the site at one time.He's much more of a sailboat guy.I'm going to talk to him this week.

[cdavisdb]

My 20 seafari had a Merc Black Max 150 from the mid 1970s on it. We massively overloaded the boat most of the time(3 divers, 10 tanks, 150 lb ice and bait, etc, etc) and the 150 was plenty of power. Most of the weight was midships to forward, so tail heavy wasn't a problem.

You can do with a lot less power and Gillies comments on engine weight make a lot of sense.

[Bushwacker]

John, Gillie's right, those boats will perform and ride best with the lighter motors, but if you're going to consider a 375 lb motor, I'd add the 60 degree OMC 2.6L carbed V-6, either 150 or 175 hp versions, although the 150 is more than enough power. GFS or Red18 are more knowledgeable about the best years, but I think '93-'97 are pretty good. Don't know if BRP made any carbed versions (Johnson's) after their takeover in 2000, but they would be good also. I'd avoid the early DI motors. Denny

[gofastsandman]

Rude reporter here. Once again lots of great advice. BRP did indeed make the carb motors `til 05 I think. Soros started driving OMC off the cliff in `98. Some of the last OMC years had quality control issues, but if it has any hours ,you may be ok.

The early 92-3 had some casting issues , and those would grenade early on. Again if it has hours...

A flag for me is too few hours. Gotta run em, if only on the muffs. Cold compression test with carbs wide open.

They changed the wiring harness over to the system check tach in `96. Some like the old one better, but I don`t know the morse code of the horn and like the redundancy of lights.

Check the TnT for swelling seals { don`t ask me how they get in there}. If you see a dime size of corrosion on the motor you have a lot more inside.

Have fun,
GFS

Do not ever take an OMC ficht as a gift.