78' 20 Master Angler New To Board

[GradySailfish]

Gentlemen, congrats on this wonderful site. I registered here a while ago but really didn't post...my main home base for boat porn was classicmako!

Well this weekend I ran into a 78' Master Angler 20 that I just coulden't pass up. It has no power (not that I care since I plan on fresh power). It was frozzing (16 degrees) when I saw the boat, so even if the floor was rotted, I woulden't be able to tell. The transom felt really good too. However I plan on replacing both, as I'm thinking I want this rig to be a really nice "all out" build. I plan on enclosing the transom and hanging a bracket, also plan on probably replacing the floor and adding newer and stronger stringers.

I won't start tearing into this thing until late spring, but I'd like to start planning now so I'm not blind when going into the job.

Any comments welcome. Also I'd appreciate pictures (aka boat porn) of other 20's in the making. I like this site!

[Scott]

Grady ...Congrats on the "new" SeaCraft !!!!

As for 20 rebuilds ...have you looked HERE ???

Look at Jason's restore .... That’s a great photo “essay” about what your in for !!

Winter is great for an old boat ....Makes them ROCK SOLID [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

You’ll find lots of great info around here .. even a decent member or two [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] and we even have a movie star here !!

Best of luck with her !!….
Oh we want pictures

[Bigshrimpin]

Grady - Congrats on the 20MA. What a great boat!! You may have to do the transom and the fuel tank, but I'd leave the floor "as is" if it's solid (or if you can get away with doing spot repairs). The MA rides like a dream without a bracket . . . If you need power . . . look at edsmarinesuperstore . . . they have a Johnzuki 140 for $6999.

[Tarpun]

Congratulations on the new ride. Tight lines. Tarpun

[GradySailfish]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. The seacraft will sit right next to my Grady. They'll share fishing duties now.

Thanks for the advice about the power. From what I've seen lots of guys are repowering thier rigs with Suzuki 115 or 140 4 bangers. I'll do the same.

As a side note, I think it's sad that Johnson must have someone else build thier motors for them [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

It seems like many if not most people here don't like to bracket the 20's....23's yes, 20's no. My original plan was to close the transom and add storage and live well to the back across the transom, but I'm worried I'll affect the ride in a deragatory way, I'm also worried she will end up sitting to low in the stern, and 1K+ plus that I would otherwise have to spend on a bracket can be spent on other toys instead!

Like I said, the floor "seems" solid, but then again the center deck/fuel hatch plate on my Grady was soggy as crap during the summer months, but solid as a rock in winter. That is until I recored it with NIDA. I'll see the boat again this weekend and then see again if it's deck needs replacing.

Right now, I think all I will do is re-do the transom, re-engineer the splash well area, re-build the console, making it higher and all flush mount, add a t-top, awlgrip, miscellanous glass work, i.e. filling in holes here and there, live well, wiring etc, etc.

What I love about the boat is how the deck has channels along the sides to let water flow directly into the scuppers...I've never seen that on boats that small.

[Michael Vezzosi]

Congradulation GradySailfish on the MA, and welcome to the site! Lots of luck with your new project and keep us up to date with lots of pictures. Vezo, Part II.