I Need A Shrink !

[strick]

Well I guess it's time to finally get started on a 25 Seafari. I recently picked this boat up from a nice gentleman in S. California.
It was conveniently located about 15 minutes from Disneyland so I was able to kill two birds with one stone and take the kids to the "happiest place on earth" as well as check out this fishing machine which will make me one of the happiest guys on earth once it's finished.

As she sits in the storage yard in LA



The boat was already stripped as the previous owner was going to re do it but never got around to it. The boat has
been sitting in storage since 1991. The previous owner had taken good care to keep it covered the whole time so overall it is in fairly good shape.

It has a 260 Volvo penta (350 chevy) and a 290 out drive.




Both motor and out drive appear in good shape however I will have my mechanic go through everything with a fine
tooth comb. BTW I am new to I/O's and don't really know that much about them so if anyone has suggestions about the
engine and out drive I would appreciate it.

taking her home



Checking out the tower



working on the cap



I've done enough sanding and grinding in my day so I don't feel too bad about getting help for that these days. The carpet in the cabin will be a lot easier to replace this way when the time comes.

This is really a cool hull design. Note the Classic SeaCraft lines



the deep V this hull is known for



There were no concrete pig weights in the bow of this boat...so I guess I'll have to order some LOL. Here are some interior shots




As she sits at dusk



The Happiest Place On Earth



strick

[Dilligaf]

from what i have heard those 290 volvo outdrives are pretty bullet proof and very reliable.

[BigLew]

"As for the mystery boat... it's a 25 Seafari 1973 edition." -
This was a cryptic comment made just about 2 years ago as you finished up your miraculous rebuild of the twenty. What ever happened to that boat?

With respect to your new find, I may have to have issued a warrant for your arrest!! There has got to be a law against how much we all look forward to this project. Maybe like.. inciting a riot!


Seriously, I can't wait. I've got the 23 with the same power- an '85 issue. The drive I have has power trim and I don't see the trim cylinders on your 290 drive. I can tell you now, I like mine, though I plan to mate up a little bit heftier block- say 315 to 325 HP.

I will be tuning in VERY regularly! Good luck, (not that you will need it with your talent for this stuff!) KUDO'S

[Fr. Frank]

I agree with Lew, I'd put in a bit more HP. Say, 350 to 375 hp. Large displacement (400+ cubes) SB Chevy motors can make 375 hp fairly easily. Much cheaper than going diesel.
That 290 drive is heavy-duty stuff, keep it, but add power trim.

[strick]

Thanks for the input guys....the out drive says power trim on the outer casing but I did not see a cylinder as well. The boat was sitting for many years and vultures picked away at some of the parts so I guess that's what happened to the cylinder.

Biglew- the other boat is still sitting in my yard. This one is in a little better shape (transom is good) and I like the original configuration...and the price was right. BTW what kind of performance numbers do you get with your sceptre using this set up?

Hermitt- yes on the 8 foot beam. It would make a very nice looking CC

Frank- I'm thinking for now I'll just keep the original set up...but may have a few things done to the engine. Goal is to get on the water without spending big $$$

strick

[Bushwacker]

Strick,

Looking forward to seeing what amazing stuff you'll do with this one! Personally, I'd either keep the 350 or go with a big block.

The sb chevy has fairly short rods and when you increase the stroke, it creates angularity problems (puts more side load on the piston because of the different geometry). Yes, it'll make more power, but I think you'd take a hit in durability.

A good friend of mine had a single 350 Mercruiser in a 27 SeaCraft flybridge sedan cruiser, and went to a 400 sb to get more power out of the same size installation. After 300 hrs it was using a lot of oil and smoking bad, so he tore it down . . . every single piston was cracked! He then put in a single 454, and said it was great, no more durability problems. Said the only thing better was TWO of 'em, so he later bought a 28 Bertram with TWO 454's in it!
Denny

[NoBones]

Strick I don't feel so bad now that you mentioned
"Pig Weights"
If you recall they beat me up for that comment a year
or so back.....

Good luck with her re-do..

See ya, Ken

[thehermit]

Happy to see school back in session That shot without the cap looks great. 8' beam right?

[Snookerd]

Happy to see school back in session

My thoughts exactly !

Chuck-Thanks in advance for all the effort to document your latest rebuild. Your I/O rebuild is of interest because of my original power on the 23 was a Volvo outdrive mated to a Volvo Diesel. I continue to consider the 383 Stroker or Cummins Marine Conversion Kit as 2 rebuild options.

[Bigshrimpin]

Chuck - You don't need a shrink to tell you "there's no cure" even after you hit rock bottom. 20 hour marathon drive down and back and you already have the cap off that beast.