23 Self-bailing deck history ?

[ScottM]

I could be wrong on this one, but I don't think anyone on this site has raised the floor of their 23, be it a CC or cuddy. With that said, most 23 owners have an outboard (either on the transom or bracket), so maybe the scupper issue isn't as difficult to deal with as it is with the weight of an I/O??? However, I do know what that scupper problem can be like in a Sceptre with a big block. Last summer I had the chance to see Chris Downey's '77(?) with a Merc 7.4, and he had water on the deck with 2 guys standing in the stern.

Most guys that have raised the deck have a 20 so you may not get as much 23-specific feedback on the subject.

[Finster]

I would concerned as well about changing the center of gravity as well.

[Capt Chuck]

I would be concerned about changing the center of gravity as well.

Finster

I think you need to contact BP and score a second SeaMark Bracket [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
Two fat guys like me coupled with that bad azz Merc your center of gravity on that der Vette has just shifted from "Cat-a-Tonic" to "RocketMan"

BTW: My boat gets it's Seamark Bracket /Transom enclosed start next week.....

[sogilmore]

I can see why no one would raise the deck on a 23....there seams to be no easy way. You can see from all the responses, there is a lot to consider. The floor system is more complex in the Sceptre/Tsunami models too vs. a CC. I thought my original idea, while the deck was already off, to just use 2" cross beams, but believe me, it is just not that easy.
The big block IO is the guilty party, but the change over to bracket and outboard is too expensive over the simple drop in price of a crated eng/IO pckg. I have said, the difference is easily $5000. and it isn't easy to digest the IO pckg price as is.
I would prefer the bracket and outboard as I guess from responses, is the concensus among readers here. But I don't already own an outboard and the transon is already redone for the IO....
Keep talking to me.....it ain't in yet?
-sean

[EBEACH]

Sogilmore,

I’m in the same position as you. 73’ Tsunami with an I/O package, in need of a repower. The boat came with a Ford 302, with Merc II transmission and a Merc II TRS (31 years old). I’m not sure how the boat floats with this package since I’ve never had it in the water. I’ve just replaced the Transom with 2 sheets of ¾ plywood. FWIW, the wood weighed in at 90lbs before the install. It would break my heart to repower and find that water ends up on the deck! My best option would be to launch the boat, and then hump about 1,000 lbs of weight and put it into the engine box. It wouldn’t simulate the out drive weight perfectly because the drive would be further back, but would probably get the job done.

I see no reason for a large block motor in that boat. A 5.0 or 5.7 liter engine would be more than enough. I believe Alan from this site installed a Merc Horizon 300 Hp Bravo 3 in his Tsunami and got 50 mph. He hasn’t posted in a while, and is probably enjoying his “new” boat.

I’m very disappointed in Merc’s inability to come up with an innovative design for the stern drive. My 30 year old out drive design is no different than what they’re putting out the door today! They’re website also lacks technical information on there products. How about an installation drawing guys? I’m leaning toward Volvo’s Ocean series since they're the only company that has been able to think out side the box. Marine Diesel's 6.5 liter engine package is within about 100 lbs of Merc’s 5.7 gas.

How about moving the engine forward to the gas tank area, using a jackshaft and saddle tanks in the stern? The baitwell is useless anyhow.

[ScottM]

My best option would be to launch the boat, and then hump about 1,000 lbs of weight and put it into the engine box.

Jim - if you offered us enough beer, I'm sure you could coax me, Trayder, JohnR, Ed Mancini and a few other "locals" down to be your ballast! Heck, maybe Ed would even hang off the back and kick to simulate the outdrive. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Finster]

I got flippers [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I'll bring my wetsuit and kick like a bastard. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
I may be up your way next month anyway for a fimily shin-dig.

[sogilmore]

EBEACH
You and I have very similar projects going. Where are you in CT? I am in Southport, exit #19 off I-95.

I had a 454 king cobra IO pckg in it before....it ran just under 54 mph (GPS). What a ride....these hulls are supernatural. I love how they bank in turns.

I would love a diesel pckg, but thought that they were no where near the wt. of the 5.0 & 5.7 ltr. Mercs you refernced. Volvo does mate the new composite outdrive to a diesel now. No more info on that is known by me.
Have you gotten a quote on the complete pckg yet? I would be interested to know the $$ damages are. Maybe we can get a discount if buy TWO! PM me if you would.
As for the jack-shaft...I am not fan of them. And I do not want to engage in that level of cockpit redesign. I do know of a Tsunami/Sceptre that was an IB that went w/ a Yanmar 230 hp. It was a nice set up but "expensive", so I was told.
My fuel tanks are on center line std tank mid ship is 45 gal. and an after market install fwd 30 gal., under the floor between the pilot and mates seats. I will send you an email w/ a pic of my boat's existing waterline. Check it out against what you know about your's. My waterline is perfectly 1" under the top of the green bottom paint all the way around. Check the bow entry too, use the lifting strakes as a reference point (where they come together at the bow), under the chine and spray rail.
Email me yr email address in a PM if is not found here in the forum site.
-Sean <sogilmore@hotmail.com>

[bsb]

My 23 has 7.4 volvo with FWC and a douprop. If i pull the plugs the water will come in and out with the boat rocking. But it will not hold more than about an 1 inch. Would be nice if the deck didn't hold any water but the plugs work fine and it does not seem to be that big of a deal. I brought it up in another post and i seems like there is no easy fix. Friend of mine has a 2002 18 wellcraft fisherman cc that holds more water than that in the back. I've got a 2000gph and 1500gph bilge pumps. One on a float and one on a switch, both work good and i made sure bilge is free of any debris. I also installed a high water alarm that comes on just after the bilge pump does just in case a fwc line comes of and starts pumping water in the boat will im under way. A boat is a lot like a marriage if you don't take care of it, it won't last long!!!!!Oh ya and there EXPENSIVE!
[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[EBEACH]

I'm in Hartford. That sounds like an odd fuel tank setup. I'm pretty sure the one that was in my boat is original, and in perfect condition, located just forward of the baitwell. 72 Gals. One more claim to fame for Carl Mosley; he invented the drain plug.

I'm still waiting on a price quote on the 200hp diesel. I think it's going to come in around 23k with install, and Bravo 1 diesel drive. About 16k as a bobtail unit. Jones Inlet marina down in Freeport, NY has a 300hp stern unit in a 25 Grady White. They said come on down any time to go out for a ride.

Scott, thanks for the idea, but I really don't think you guys would want to come all the way to Hartford, to sit in an empty SeaCraft, regardless of the beer count. You’re welcome here anytime though if you like.