1972 23 Rebuild

[Billsseacraft]

Well I have crossed back over to the dark side, after selling my 23 scepter years back I have gotten another 23 SeaCraft center console. The boat is an original I/O but have plans to make it an outboard with a bracket. We will also be replacing all the floors, rebuilding the stringers, redoing the top cap and much more. This weekend my brother DonV and son Leviseacraft helped with starting to pull it apart. In the pictures you will see the rough shape it started out in and so far we have removed the engine and out drive, center console, and all of the old hardware and teak wood. Next step removing the top cap and getting to work.

[Billsseacraft]

Here are some more pictures of the work this weekend. Also if you all are on Instagram we will be posting pics there as well at seacraftrenovation1972

[Jfenton]

I subscribed to your Instagram handle. Look forward to pictures.

[Capt Terry]

Best wishes on your rebuild. Noticed your Hitchhiker trailer. Bought my tandem axle Hitchhiker trailer in '79 and still love it. About 18 years ago before moving from south Fla to using on SC lakes i replaced bunks, springs, bearings and tires with tires & bearings replaced again as needed. A great trailer. My wife & son drive the boat on better than I do. They get more practice and that's my story........

[FAS]

A beauty there, well worth the restoration!

[Billsseacraft]

Weekend update on the teardown of the 23.

Saturday we spent about 3.5 hours removing the floor and getting the flotation out from the side of the boat. The pressure washer made short work of the floatation removal. My Brother DonV had a spinning pressure washer nozzle that made things really easy. Lots of clean up but way better and faster than manually removing. We were able to remove the entire front step up in one piece and it will be repurposed by Gofastsandman. All screws around top cap from previous rub rail was cut with a carbide tipped blade and vibrating Rockwell cutter. 2x4 and floor jack popped it up no problem. Im going to leave it in place until it gets to shop for glass work.

Sunday:
We were able to remove all the stringers and flotation all the way to the back of the knees that attach to the transom. Figured it will be a lot easer to cut those when the top cap and transom are removed. I would roughly guess that we removed 500+ pounds of fiberglass and wet Flotation. We found the secret behind removing flotation was to cut inside of length of stringer then the tops and we could get in there with a pry bar and pop flotation loose. About 50% of the time we could remove 2-3 feet of flotation out at a time. Much cleaner job than yesterday minus all the cutting dust.

[Capt Chuck]

Keep the pictures coming ! The "GUCCI STAMP" is waiting . Next Xmas will be Showtime.

[DonV]

"Who is the guy in the red hat?"

GFS, did you mean to say, "Who is that young and extremely handsome guy in the red shirt?"

[Billsseacraft]

I will say that the guy in the red hat for being 39 can still get it done! The nice thing is works for wings and beer!!!

[Billsseacraft]

Got the lay out of the stringers started. So much happening so fast that it is hard to keep up. I gave JV at Castillo Boat Works a time frame of about 3-4 months and this is what happens. Could not be happier with the progress he is making and the quality is unbelievable. He is way a head of my budget!!!!! Stringers and transom in a day or two!!!!!