Experimental SeaCraft

[ocuyler]

EXPERIMENTAL SEA CRAFT

At 32x91/2 feet, the SeaCraft
32 (305/685-6591; seacraft boats.com) is comparable to the Viper in size, but our test boat was a stripped-down experimental model. Built at Sea- Crafts Miami factory, our X boat carried no water and only 100 gallons of fuel, but was burdened by the weight and wind drag of a fourth crewman (whereas the other tests were conducted with three aboard). The fourth man penalty was offset by the fact she lacked a leaning post or engine cover.

Like the Sutphen 27, the SeaCraft 32 featured a centrally mounted 300 hp Yanmar 6LP-STZE turbo-diesel I-6 connected via jackshaft to a Bravo 3 sterndrive with 1.81:1 reduction. Pushed by a 24-inch-pitch stainless prop set, the boat reached 30 mph in 15.9 seconds 3.1 seconds quicker than the fully-rigged Viper, but 3.0 seconds slower than the Sutphen.

Maxed out at 4000 rpm, she ran 40.9 mph or roughly 21/2 mph faster than the Viper 33. This is just about the difference we would expect due to wind resistance from the Vipers T-top. At 35.6 mph, the Sea-Crafts 3500 rpm cruising speed was right in line with the Vipers, as well as that of a much smaller Silverhawk 24 center console.

The entire article can be viewed at Trailer Boats Magazine