New SeaCraft owner

chrisg224 · #1 07-18-2012, 04:14 PM

Hello everybody, I am new to the site and this is my first post. I look forward to reading and learning from the many posts regarding SeaCraft boats. I have looked for many years for the right older Mako or SeaCraft, I did find a beautiful SeaCraft 20 which I purchased last Saturday. Its a 1987, which isn't my favorite year by no means, but this boat is in perfect shape. The glaring shortcomings are the fittings and thru hulls, which I am replacing. The hull is still amazing and built like a tank. It was very challenging finding a SeaCraft in California, but I did, and can't wait to see how it performs. I have so many questions, but I will just wait until I take my first trip and see how it goes. This is my 19th boat that I have owned, but for some reason I am more excited about this boat than the previous 18.

Thanks Chris

Old Goat · #2 07-18-2012, 04:45 PM

And the more you use it, the more you will be!

Need some pics by the way!

Charles

jerry1 · #3 07-18-2012, 04:46 PM

Welcome to the site. You will like the ride in a VDH

chrisg224 · #4 07-18-2012, 09:41 PM

Here are few of my projects and nightmares. The wiring is just plan horrible, I can't imagine that was factory. The most impressive thing was the quality and thickness of the teak. my buddy sanded and oiled it and we built a new backing out of starboard, that came out great. The problem I have is where I live there's an HOA and there like police roaming the neighborhood, I will work on it until they force me to move it

Capt Chuck · #5 07-18-2012, 09:56 PM

Welcome to CSC Chris!

You have some SeaCraft Pros out west these days to help you along

(Chime in you Calif boys)

PS: All I know is stay off the 405 while towing

Normagain · #6 07-20-2012, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Chuck

PS: All I know is stay off the 405 while towing

Not so bad at 5:00am, quite pleasant actually as long as you steer clear of the drunks.

Nice looking boat, enjoy!

chrisg224 · #7 07-20-2012, 03:44 PM

Thats exactly what those quick releases are, but the kicker is coming off. Right now its fixing all those damn holes they put in the transom.

pelican · #8 07-24-2012, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisg224

Thats exactly what those quick releases are, but the kicker is coming off. Right now its fixing all those damn holes they put in the transom.

lower that transducer too - it's way high,it will never read,as soon as the boat begins to move...

those plastic thru hulls are trouble...

Bushwacker · #9 07-20-2012, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisg224

Here are few of my projects and nightmares. The wiring is just plan horrible, I can't imagine that was factory. The most impressive thing was the quality and thickness of the teak. my buddy sanded and oiled it and we built a new backing out of starboard, that came out great. The problem I have is where I live there's an HOA and there like police roaming the neighborhood, I will work on it until they force me to move it

Nice looking rig Chris! Have you sea trialed it yet? Couldn't help but notice, since I have a similar roller trailer, that in your first and 3rd pics, it looks like boat is just a few inches too far forward on trailer . . . one of the aft rollers is about to go over the edge of transom! If that happens, it'll be a bear to launch!

One time I was testing brakes on way to the village ramp, which is only about a mile from my house, and I had left off my rear tie-down strap because of the short distance. Wasn't worried about boat rolling backwards because a safety chain on bow eye prevents that. What I discovered however, was that there was NOTHING to keep boat from rolling FORWARD when I left off my over-the-gunnel tie down strap! My winch stand has rollers above and below the bow eye, so when I hit the brakes, those rollers on the sloped stem allowed the bow to ride up and forward, and the aft rollers went off the hull and up around on the transom! Since I don't like dunking my trailer in salt water, it was back home to dig out the floor jack and 2x4's to jack up the stern enough for the boat to slide back into correct position! I also concluded that the only way my tie down strap was preventing the boat from rolling forward was by friction! Since the coaming on the Seafari tapers towards the transom, the strap would get LOOSER if the boat did roll forward on a real hard stop! I came up with a simple short ratchet strap from bow eye, straight down around trailer tongue and back up to the eye. It's quick to install and remove, and I haven't had any more problems since I started using it. Something you might want to add before you do much towing.

On the teak, I've tried just about every type of teak treatment in the 37 years I've had my boat. The UV is so strong in S. Fla. that all of the oils will oxidize and turn dark in about 3 months! The 2-part teak cleaners also do a lot of damage to the wood and will destroy the soft part of the grain. I sanded mine smooth and applied about coats of Epifanes Wood Finish Gloss about 6 years ago and it still looks great. I have learned to keep a cover on the boat, and I think that also helps a lot.

I hear you on the HOA's! My daughter has a place with one . . . what a PITA! She gets letters from them complaining about weeds growing in cracks in the sidewalk! There must be some folks that just don't have enough to do! Good luck getting your project shipshape!

chrisg224 · #10 07-22-2012, 06:50 PM

I had a big problem when I picked up the boat, I had a long trailer tow home and in the the first mile I realized the boat was positioned wrong on the trailer because I had very little tongue weight. So my first stop was Wal Mart for a bigger drop hitch. That wasn't enough, so I moved the winch forward and moved the boat 6 inches forward. That did it, but at the expense of the last rollers coming off the back. It all worked out I got it home safe.

I launched it yesterday and it ran fantastic, and I was able to move the axels aft and make all the necessary adjustments to the trailer. now its perfect. I still have a lot of modifications to do on the boat, but I am very pleased with the ride of the hull.

On the fishing seen out west, Its looking very good. The bluefin and yellowtail are at about 70 mi from San Diego and moving north. The real good news is the yellowfin and Dorado are not that far behind them. I work part time as a captain on a long range boat out of San Diego so I get very good information. My plan is to get the SeaCraft ready before those fish get to 30 mi. Thanks to everybody for all the great responses. Hopefully my next post will be pictures of me launching it on its first fishing trip.

Thanks Chris