Inboard SeaCrafts

[ONESPEED]

I would like to hear from those who have run 23' SeaCraft inboards (straight shaft, not I/O) pro's and cons. How do the experts feel about repowering with a diesel? too heavy or a good idea? Also, and please forgive the newbie question, what is the year range for Potter hulls? Thanks in advance for any and all tips and opinions!

[MarkR]

I can comment specifically on the V-Drive inboard Seacraft but the straight drive seems to me to be a better setup. I say that because I have struggled with alignment. After having replaced all the engine/transmission mounts, straightened the shaft, trued the prop and replaced the cutlass bearing I was ready for alignment. Aligning the V-Drive is trickey, and the coupling is under the drive. A straight drive looks to me to be a bit easier to deal with.
The issue is vibration. Without proper alignment of the drive components, anoying vibrations can develop.
As far as diesels, it's been done succesfully. I have a 25' Sea-Vee near me that has an awsome inboard diesel setup.
Contemporary thinking seems to lean towards outboards but I have much faith in my inboard and the full transom.
Potters are roughly the '70s.

[ONESPEED]

Thanks Mark. I've run numerous 23' SeaCrafts w/ outboards but never one with an inboard. Any insight to ride or handling characteristics w/ the inboard?

[eggsuckindog]

call Mike at American Marine in Tarpon Springs FL, they are SeaCraft fans and he has a customer that went to a Yanmar diesel in a 23 and I bet he could give some great tips - 727 938 9796- Mario will probably answer the phone so don't cut him any slack about just lurking

His lame partner [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Mario just re-did a great 23 CC but just lurks on here the worthless........

[Scott]

Welcome to CSC !!
These are links to a members 23 / diesel.. However I’ pretty sure the boat was sold ( moved into a larger boat) so he may not be on the site much.

Joe's boat

Joe's boat II

[Finster]

Onespeed, have you found one your interested in? If so send me all the info on it i.e. sellers name and phone# and I'll check it out. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Hehe, only kidding. I've had my ears pirked up for one for a while. I don't know your location, but there's one in the pan handle of FL that would be worth seeing. Just a little too far for me.

Never mind. I just saw your location. Let me know if your interested and I can PM the info.

[riprunner]

I completely re-did a 23 straight inboard last winter and was originally going to go diesel, but decided mainly becasue of price to just go gas. The boat is very dry, rides incredibly and can plain at a low speed due to the weight distribution so you can ride in a heavy sea at a pretty good clip. the only downside to an inboard is speed, They are 22-25 knot cruise boats. I hear the ride is better than the outboard versions, BUT...I don't have enough recent time on a 23 outboard to justify that claim, its just what a couple guys have told me. I would be interested in learning from people here with experience on both about the difference in ride quality.

[GetReel]

I gutted a 1975 IB and redid it. The 23' IB is a good sea boat, but not much for speed, its a 22/23 k cruise 29 WOT. You can plane off at 19 knots and hunker down when it gets sporty and she'll get you home without kicking your teeth in. I was leaning Yanmar but the cost is big, I'd look at the Merc 6.2 MPI as a good compromise.If you were to try the offshore/nearshore run, the diesel makes sense for reliability reasons as your a single. Don't give Finster any tips...

[ocuyler]

Thanks in advance for any and all tips and opinions!

Would kill for one...