New 20' SF I/O

[michaelgon]

Well Guys, I pulled the trigger and have joined the ranks! I found this little diamond in the rough in Engelwood, FL Craigslist and brought her home on Sunday. Originally I wasn't so excited about the drivetrain, but after refering to the Production #'s listed in the SeaCraft Literature section I realize that this is pretty unique.

She is a 1972 20' SF with the original '72 Volvo drivetrain, 170/280. The motor runs great, needs some carb cleaning and adjusting, and the out drive is in great shape! The floor is pretty soft and the transom has some areas that sound soft.

Now it's time to start the resto! Here are some photos...what do you guys think?

[McGillicuddy]

Congrats. Love the SeaCraft vdr shield on the cowling.

[Snookerd]

Great find! Nice original power on a rare 20SF.

[77SceptreOB]

Even came w/ a 1970s "Float on" trailer.

[fdheld34]

Nice Boat.I had my eye on it as well ....a little history for you..it was originally yellow (or painted yellow at one time) I believe.. and was being sold in Ft. Lauderdale on this site a while back 04-05-08. Now looks like it has made it's way back down south .
Welcome.... ..hang onto it...it is deemed worthy of a resto!!! Keep us posted with your progress and pics!!!!!
-FRED

[BigLew]

Nice Catch!! Kudos to you.

That outdrive should last three or four RE powers. The inline six is almost bulletproof. Hell, if the engine box is wide enough it probably could take a small eight cylinder block as well, there's certainly enough length and depth to do it. There's really no need to push push the hull that hard anyways.

Nurse it back to health and keep the pictures coming.

Good luck.

[michaelgon]

So I've spent some time getting into the this thing and found that there is water getting into the oil...probably through a bad manifold. Do any of you guys know of a reliable mechanic in the south Florida area who works on Volvo drivetrains? I'd like to have someone who is familiar with this drivetrain take a closer look and determine if a repower would be a better alternative rather than a rebuild.

As much as I'd like to keep it all original, reliability is important.

[michaelgon]

Thanks guys for all of the compliments. I will keep you all posted of the progress.

Thanks again!

[fdheld34]

I had a volvo 280 outdrive on my 1976 Speedcraft (not Seacraft). I used my neighbor as my mechanic . I just rememeber my tilt actuator went out and it cost me about $300 for a used actuator..he also rebuilt unit for me..parts were somewhat hard to find for me anyways...Like you said reliability is important..rebuild/repower but keep as i/o!!! That would be nice!!!
Good luck on you search for mechanic down South

-FRED