Vintage Potter Built 23' Straight Inboard Diesel

[Old Goat]

I just copied the picture link and used the "Insert Image" button to post these.

[Don Ferguson]

Well, you ol' goat you! Ha. Thanks. Don

[Old Goat]

You are Welcome.

Charles

[Miles Offshore]

Originally Posted by Don Ferguson

Original owner of 1975 PotterBuilt 23' Center/Console , straight inboard Diesel under large console, in process of total rebuild.

I believe this was the FIRST AND ONLY straight inboard diesel Potter did. Was laid out (1974) by Bill Potter and Chrysler Engineer's with a 200hp Turbo import since replaced with a low hour 6BT5-9 Cummins Diesel. Input requested. Attempting to determine possible sale value? Replacment value today?

Vessel has won Florida Triple Crown Championship, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Bch. Billfish Tournaments six times for owner and has earned 1st Place Vessel in all. Please give input for a junior.

Hey Don, fwiw, the va beach pd actually purchased 3 brand new diesel inboards in the mid -70's including mine which were eventually converted back to gasoline for reasons unknown to me. Y'all stay warm!

[Don Ferguson]

Thats interesting. Thanks for the feed back. For police work the diesel may have been bit slow. Mine is no race boat but runs well through 3'5' seas at 30 mph and doesn't mind 4-6' either.

[dsharp]

I took one in on trade for a 36' steel hull boat. It had a volvo diesel with a jackshaft to a volvo stern drive. I removed the stern drive and made it straight inboard since I leave my boats in the water. I believe the boat was a 1978 model. I eventually removed the volvo and put in a 454 Crusader. With the diesel it may have made 15-17knts. but the noise was deafening. After 6-8 hours of running the noise would get to you. I guess she'll make close to 30 now

[Miles Offshore]

Originally Posted by dsharp

I took one in on trade for a 36' steel hull boat. It had a volvo diesel with a jackshaft to a volvo stern drive. I removed the stern drive and made it straight inboard since I leave my boats in the water. I believe the boat was a 1978 model. I eventually removed the volvo and put in a 454 Crusader. With the diesel it may have made 15-17knts. but the noise was deafening. After 6-8 hours of running the noise would get to you. I guess she'll make close to 30 now

I believe the noise was the reason the po-po went to the marine power 350's in our boats, especially if they were that loud!

[Don Ferguson]

Hi dsharp. Thats quite a coversion. Another member offered that there were a few jackshaft diesel made but no straight inboards after mine. She's coming along real good on a bottom up rebuild. New shaft/strut/wiring/tranny. Does yours have the tunnel drive? I would think that big engine would be a charger.

[Miles Offshore]

Hey Don, not to hijack your thread but did you put a new rudder in as well? Thinking about replacing mine this spring but not sure about a source, size to order etc. thanx, love this thread!

[Don Ferguson]

Hi Miles: Yes, a new rudder too. When I went to drop the shaft found rudder bent too. Had to drop rudder as well. Frank & Jimmie's Prop Shop in Lauderdale (recommend) did a new rudder post, shaft and coupling package of 22 Aquamet SS...so all will be new from the rudder up. They also did the prop + spare for Bahamas travel.
They'll work with you.