my new '72 20'sf

[McGillicuddy]

Thanks for the pics Brad. I concur with Fr Frank's take. Mine is a tail end 83 and looks identical. That's an interesting grommet box on the splash well. You're in good shape with those stainless replacement hoses. My hoses were shot from rubbing on the transom and motor mounts. I just replaced them with the sierra version which appear to be junk already. I guess my adjustment is as good as its gonna get for now...

Regarding the trim motor, I recently had a failure right when I got home from a trip. I trimmed up to trailer but it quit when trying to trim it down to flush. Fortunately it's is a good simple motor and it proved to be a wear issue. I just replaced the brushes and a corroded ground screw and works fine again. If it ever fails the first things to look at are the reservoir (fill while motor is up)and the battery must be charged. If those things are ok then go to the manual and use the trouble shooting section.

Fr Frank posted some good advice a couple years back about these motors
Here's the link:
http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...rev=#Post56946
Short of the limited range during tuna season, I've been pleased with my motor. Cheers, Gillie

[povertysucks]

Thanks for the info!

The Marathon well in the back of the boat, do you think the holes drilled in the back of the transom would inhibit water intrusion?

Has this ever been an issue with anyone??

[Fr. Frank]

Short of the limited range during tuna season, I've been pleased with my motor. Cheers, Gillie

Gillie, just take extra 12 gal fuel tanks on the deck and burn them first, then lash the empties on the foredeck. The plastic 12 gal. tanks are $60 new at Walmart, or you can buy used 18-30 gal. poly tanks like I did. I used to carry up to an extra 60 gallons of fuel in two blue poly drums that originally held Dr. Pepper syrup. I got them at a local feed store for $15 each. I still use them to store bio-diesel.
That's how I used to go 100 miles offshore to the Florida Middle Grounds with my Seafari. I used to go to N28*31'48.4 W84*15'28.8 to start my drifts. Google it. It was 85 miles on a compass heading of 242* from the launch point at Cedar Key, or 97 miles heading 257* from Fort Island. Usually about 4.5 hours travel time to get there, cause one of the boats I went with was only capable of cruising at about 20 mph.
Are your tuna fishing grounds further out than 100 miles?