1973 23'Tsunami I/O, wet feet? & performance?

[bigeasy1]

A previous post on the performance board,has me a little concerened,regarding my Tsunami.

I have finished all the glass work,new transom,hatches,deck, etc,and hope to have most of the rest of the major stuff done by spring,so that i can drop the engine and drive in it.

The engine is a 260hp 350,with an alpha drive.It will also have a 8hp Yamaha kicker on the transom,and four downriggers with 12lb weights on the transom cap.

It's going to have 12x12 drop fin Bennett tabs on the rear.
The batteries(2 27 series) are going to be in front of the engine where the baitwell/livewell was.(between the fuel tank and engine box).
The fuel tank is 55 gallons,and is the original,which is odd,as the literature says standard tanks on the I/O was 72 gallons.

My questions are,will i have a pain in the a-s problem with the thru deck scuppers,and what do you think i can acheive for speeds with this setup? Am i going to have to keep plugs in those floor scuppers all the time?
It's too late to go out the rear with the scuppers,so thats not an option.

I'd also like to put a washdown in the boat,but will it drain out easily while trolling.My use for this boat is strictly salmon trolling 2-4 mph

I figure that moving the batteries to that area,moves another approx 100 lb's almost to amidship.Also we'll be keeping the majority of the tackle and gear up foward.

Anyone have any answers or even thoughts or ideas or maybe those of you with I/O's can shed some light on it for me.
Thank all,for any info.

[1bayouboy]

These boats came with dual I/Os too....so I don't think you'll have a problem.

[Water Rat]

John,
I have a '78 23' Sceptre (see Chris Downey's Sceptre in the photo gallery section). I have a 454 w/ Bravo One, Kiekhafer trim tabs (heavier than Bennets) and a wet transom and stringers . Also, I have two fuel tanks, a 65gal. (useable) just forward of the engine and a 45gal. just forward of that, with batteries mounted in the aft portion of the fishbox between the helm and passenger seating. With full fuel, etc., the top of the scupper tube is right at the waterline; put 1-2 guys on the same side in that condition and it can get wet. With 1/2 fuel, less misc. weight, it is not too bad and better when moving, even at trolling speeds. I am sure with your glass work (i.e. dry transom & stringers, lighter engine & drive, etc. you should be fine. Good luck, you will love that boat.

[bigeasy1]

Thanks to both of you,

Chris,over the past year,i've spent a lot of time looking at the pics of your boat.

It's one heck of a nice looking rig.The hardtop is absolutely beautiful,what a great piece of work.I've been toying around with fabricating one,but the thoughts of doing more glass work,now that i have most of it done is scaring me off.I'm tired of putting on that tyvek suit and dust mask.

Your pictures have given me several ideas for the deck/seating layout.I especially like the boxes under the seats.Did you make them,or are they factory?

I don't want to use pedestals,as they waste space,the boxes will give me more storage.I'm trying to figure out where i'm going to squeeze 16 rod and reel setups,all 8-1/2', several tackle boxes with 1,000 spoons,and the tons of other stuff.
Thanks again for the info,i may send you a pm to ask more questions regarding the hardtop and tower work,if you don't mind.

[Water Rat]

John,
Feel free to ask away. Note that I did not do that halftower myself - it was done by Marine Metal Fabricators (Rick Weller) in Barrington, RI (great people and great work). I wouldn't know 1708 biaxial cloth from a tablecloth. The boxes are original SeaCraft Stock. The helm is the old "galley" or "camper" seat that has a sink with alcohol stove (stove long since gone) and the passenger box was from the lay-down "back-to-back" seats. I simply took off the OEM seats, covered with Starboard, and bolted on the Pompanette seats you see (short pedestals on port side, bolted directly on helm side).

[Snookerd]

Chris-
That boat is freaking nice! The whole Kennedy thing adds to the mystic. My 23SF once got side-swiped by a drunk Ted Kennedy down in Palm Beach .

[ScottM]

My 23SF once got side-swiped by a drunk Ted Kennedy down in Palm Beach .

Must be a Ted thing. Several years ago my dad's friend's boat got rammed by Ted in his sailboat just off Hyannis.

[doug7488]

How'd they get the two brothers and miss that JackAss?

[bigeasy1]

When he finally does kick the bucket,the undertaker can just stick him in the coffin,as he's already embalmed himself with Chevas Regal.