Just when I thought I was out they pull me back in

[bitsamonkey]

Two years and no Seacraft and now I've acquired a 1976 18'.
I'm going to raise the transom and re-power and I'm considering the new Suzuki 90 or an Evinrude 115. The Suzuki has some incredible performance reports, weighs about 350 lbs and has a 2.59-1 gearcase. I was wondering if anybody runs that kind of a combo and what kind cruise speed I should expect. I'd like to be able to run faster than 25 mph cruise. Top speed isn't an issue. The boat will be kept light, no top, one or two people and a livewell.
I'd like to pull the trigger while Suzuki (3+3 year warranty) and Evinrude (free controls and stainless prop and a 5 year warranty) still have these offers.

[uncleboo]

If I'm wasting your time, just disregard this reply, but, I have 2 friends with 18' Privateer boats with the 4s 90 Suzis and they love them. They are cruising around 24 knots and top end is around 31 knots. The only thing is that the Privateers don't have as much deadrise as the SeaCraft. Might take you a little longer to get on plane than the Privateer. They are fairly heavy boats due to the construction, (very tough boats), but they plane pretty quickly.

[bitsamonkey]

Thanks for your reply. The new 90 really seems amazing. Here are performance reports for a Suzuki 90 on a 19' Carolina Skiff and an E-tec 90 on a 17':
http://www.evinrude.com/Content/Pdf/...orts/PE743.pdf
http://suzukimarine.com/uploads/05_C...Skiff_SZ90.pdf

[Fr. Frank]

That's comparable to the Optimax 90. See it here. http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines...letin/?ID=365&

The Optimax also comes with 5 yr warranty. Cost about $7000 plus rigging for a left-over '09 or '10

[gofastsandman]

bitsamonkey,
Welcome back! Please be more selective with your diving buddies.

Cheers,
GFS

[bitsamonkey]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm going to try to make it stoner proof! First step will be the 25" transom. No more "Sink Crafts" not even if they're "Classic Sink Crafts". There's some things I really like about the 18' (toe kick on side gunwhales, no silly seats in front of the transom) and excited about brandy new power. Also, this '76 is better built than my '69.

[Snookerd]

There's some things I really like about the 18' (toe kick on side gunwhales.....

bitsamonkey-Congrats on the 18SF. Did you get the blue one in Miami with the 150 Mercury? I was looking at that one 2 weeks ago before I bought the 18SF in Tally. I had the exact same set-up (358lb Yamaha 130) on the old one as I do on this new one. You are right on with those weight concerns and motor choices. If you look at the pictures of the CSC member who just added the deck storage in front of his console on his Potter 18SF and then look at all SeaCraft Industries or Tracker 18SF's and you will notice that the console was moved forward. I don't think it has been discussed on CSC, but it looks like a production decision that works well to move weight forward.

[76Red18]

Got to love those 76 18's! Can't wait to see some numbers and pics. Check that front fish box drain. They have a habit of leaking between the outer flange and hull.

[sidelock]

Originally Posted by 76Red18

Got to love those 76 18's! Can't wait to see some numbers and pics. Check that front fish box drain. They have a habit of leaking between the outer flange and hull.

Can you please elaborate or explain ? I'm in the process of finalizing a deal on a 1975 potter 18 and it's been an ongoing learning process. Every time I open this site, I learn something new.I have learned more about boats on this site in the past few weeks than I have in my entire life but I'm still a newbie and sometimes need a little explaining to understand . Don't quite understand what you mean about "the outer flange & the hull"

[76Red18]

Your front box should drain through a "Thru Hull Fitting"; A threaded pipe that has a flange on the outside hull surface and a nut that tightens on the surface of the fish box.

The fish box, the deck and the interior sides are the "Liner". The liner is attached to the hull in certian structural areas not the entire hull. The area of the fish box drain has a block of wood between the liner and the hull so the thru hull fitting can be tightened enough to not leak. If there was nothing solid in that area, tightening that fitting would break the liner.

Over time that wood block rots away and the fitting becomes loose and leaks water into the bilge between the hull and thru hull fitting flange. The fix is to remove the thru hill fitting. Use a wood chisle to remove the rotted wood. Use an epoxy filler in place of the rotted wood. Redrill the hole Put a bead of 5200 sealant on the flange and install the thru hull fitting. Put some 5200 on nut to seal the fish box.

I would check the thru hulls "Scuppers" in the transom as well. Stay away from the plastic thru hull fittings. Use bronze or stainless.