Re Propping 83 Merc on 72 Seafari

[oldbluesplayer]

another Seafari 20 owner chiming in - you will love that boat, and, contrary to what some will say, a 115 is decent power for her, she should top out around 30 - 33, more than you can run is open sea anyways. I wouldn't go beyond that motor-weight range, or the old Johnson V-4, without raising the transom to 25".

Fr. Frank is the man when it comes to the old Merc's, listen to him.

And as others have said, that transom work looks a little scary. If you say it's solid, for now, ok, but from the looks of it, I think you want to plan a transom rebuild, combined with raising to 25", within a few years, coinciding with the future repower.

Fun, and very capable, boat.

Bill

[McGillicuddy]

Thanks Oldbluesplayer Bill, I appreciate the advice. I'm going to try to run this merc while I try to save for a repower. The transom I will try to at least inspect and correct before the Spring fishing season picks up but I'll have to wait to raise the transom due to this 20" shaft. BigShrimpin sent some pics of his and the idea of a full transom w/bracket is very appealing, although the expense or project might be out of reach at least for now. The first thing I need to do is change the bunks on this over-sized trailer (one of them had a bolt digging into the hull). Next up transom seal and rewire. Looking at Blue Sea Systems battery switch w/ charge relay system to isolate starer and house batteries.

Any thoughts pics or ideas are welcome. --Gill