'76 20'cc in MD

[John R]

JAL - I don't know enough about the other boats but "Mango" is clearly a Seacraft and this one in MD isn't as far as I can see.

I have not seen or heard of any other hull design on these boats. Not that I'm an expert in anyway - I just suffer from a near photo-boatporn-agraphic memory. Curious what kind of hull it is...

[Matt1121]

Gents-

MANGO is definitely a Secraft. My buddy owns her and I have seen the title...I believe it is a 1974. Also, the original Seacraft manufacturers plate is still mounted on the console. Plus, if you look closely at the transom, you can see that famous variable deadrise.

[JAL]

I stand corrected on Mango... I can't see the bottom on the hull anyway- that's the true way to ID them. I've never noticed the 23' SeaCrafts having that much curvature in the hull sides at the transom. From that angle, there is a stricking similarity to the SeaCraft and SeaBird hulls, but the bottoms are definately different.

[Gary S]

Mango is a Sea Craft,the other boat is a want to be Sea Craft.

[OTTERLY COOL]

Hi Guys !

A bit late but my opinion:

The MD boat in my opinion, is definitely NOT a SeaCraft. The boat does not have the running chine on the bow and the aft shows a running strake NOT a stepped hull. 1976 Seacrafts all had the step. In addition, that is NOT a SeaCraft transom. I have owned a 75 18CC an 84 20CC and I now own a documented, real 74 23CC which will be undergoing restoration so I have some experience.

With respect to the MD boat - around the time I bought my 75, there was a company which produced SeaCraft look-a-likes, at least in so far as the topsides were concerned. The boats had the bottom that the MD boat appears to have and also had a no-liner interior. The brand was BARCONE. I believe that is what the MD boat is.

MANGO appears to be a SeaCraft. It seems to be exactly like my 1974 I/O but the angle of the photo makes positive ID impossible. Original SeaCrafts had their IDs etched into the transom, usally on the starboard side just below the rub rail - I believe they all began with "SEC". Another way to tell would be to inspect the transom. Mango is obviously an I/O. If the outdrive is not original, then the transom would have had to have been rebuilt to accept the new outdrive. If the owner is interested, he can post photos of the stern dead on and of the bow and I may be able to help him by comparing same to my boat.

[OTTERLY COOL]

Me again.

Just noticed - MANGO does not have the stern vents that the 74 23 CC had. also there should be a stern light just where the "N" in MANGO is. Of course these could have been changed. Also, the console doesn't look exactly right - none of that lousy plastic faux grained wood that the boats had (the only thing on SeaCrafts that I never liked. But again that all could have been changed over the years.

[Matt1121]

OTTERLY-

MANGO is definitely a Seacraft. My friend JOdi of Wilco Marine in Newbury, MA owns her. He has the 1974 title for her and you cannot question the famous variable deadrise in the stern. She needs a new 4cyl Mercruiser and some work to the floor. The console has the original seacraft name plate on it....the teak console doors seem to be original but not 100% sure. The tinted windshield has definitely been replaced.

MANGO is a local boat and has spent her entire life in the Newbury, MA area. Actually, one of her old owners tried to buy her back from my buddy but he wanted it for a fire sale so he told the guy no. He has gotten about 40 calls on the boat but most people are tire kickers or want to convert the I/O to an outboard setup...and he won't sell it to them. He'll only sell the boat to someone who will restore her right and leave the I/O in place. If it doesn't sell by spring, he and I will haul her into her shop and restore her with the original I/O setup.

If I could afford two boats or hit Megabucks soon, I would by Mango in a heartbeat.

[Matt1121]

PS-

MANGO has a Seacraft serial number etched into starboard side of the transom under the rubrail. I'll write down the number on Saturday when I am up there.....maybe Mr. Bill Potter can tell us some more of her history.

[OTTERLY COOL]

Hi Matt

Sorry for the late reply, hope you see it.

Glad to hear MANGO is a real 74. Restore her - she'll be as good or better built than anything else out there - and she'll definitly ride better than ANYTHING in her size class.

Only thing I question- you're going to put a 4 Cylinder engine in her ??? Otterly Cool has a 5.7 liter mercruiser ( 8 cylinder 350 chevy block)at either 250 or 260 HP with a Bravo 2 Drive. She's a bit over-propped at the moment and only gets about 36- 37 MPH. When I finish her and get the right prop she should do 40-41. Considering this performance with an 8 I don't think you or Jodi will be happy with a 4 - and you'll probably use the engine up pretty quickly.

Good luck and keep me advised.

[jw]

20sf I/O ,
I have one that went on a three hour tour. Runs great. I have figured out that I need a 14x19 3 bladed prop on her, to get the RPMS perfect.

With 4 people,2 in the bow and 2 at the console she planed quick. What a killer ride in a head sea.

This spring I will have electronics on her so I can update the speed and performance numbers.
I also plan to keep her as an I/0.

Just started changing the steering and stripping the old paint off the bottom.

Just my two cents worth.

tight lines,
JW