20 Seafari

gaulois · #1 08-19-2005, 10:40 AM

Hi everyone,
Im new to the board. I was the proud owner of a '77 23 SeaCraft open fish. Unfortunately when I moved to Maine I had to sell it. I sold it to my bud who kept if for 4yrs, and (coincidentally) sold it recently to someone on this forum or through the site. Beautiful emerald green hull/with white bottom/green T-Top, 225 merc. I went everywhere with that boat-Bahamas, Dry Tortugas, Marquesas- and was in very heavy seas at times.

Now, to get to the point- I am moving back to Miami, and have been looking at different boats, and realize that I am unable to buy any other boat than a Seacraft. The 20ft Seafari seems to fit more my needs. I am far less familiar with this boat, and I/O. I am looking at a 1972 that has a 140 Mercruiser. Cosmetically the boat is a nightmare, but I can deal with that- my concerns are-
How often is the transom gone on these I/O boats. Should I worry about the stringers since the engine is mounted on them. Anything else I should be worried about structurally?
Thanks for any info you guys have (and girls for that matter)

Briguy · #2 08-19-2005, 12:19 PM

Don't get the 20, keep looking for a 23.

Capt Chuck · #3 08-19-2005, 12:56 PM

Welcome to CSC!
I Agree with Capt Brian. Your already spolied with the ride of the 23'. If it's the little cuddy your wanting then try and score a 23' Sceptre or the 23' Savage model

gaulois · #4 08-19-2005, 04:21 PM

Thanks Capt.
Ive thought about the Sceptre, but what I like about the Seafari is that it seems far more economical with the 4cyl I/O. I know that the original design of the seacraft hull was for the 23 ft, and that a 20ft would not be the same...
My 23 with the 225 was fast and handled incredibly well, but fuel consumption was high. If I got a 23 again I would put on a 4 cycle- I dont care about speed so much.
Does anyone know how the Seafari handles w/the 140 Mercruiser I/O?

nestorpr · #5 08-19-2005, 06:40 PM

It handles real well with the 140, I do about 32 mph with the Bimini up, faster with it down of course. The 20 has a shallower V than the 23 so it pounds a bit more in a chop but other than that it's a comfortable ride. I can go about 80 miles at cruising speed with the 35 gal tank it has and mine's pretty heavily loaded so I'm not complaining.

Take a look at the 20 Seafari a few threads before from Fr. Frank, it looks really nice but has an outboard and you're looking for an i/o. Who knows, get that one and install a 160hp volvo diesel i/o, you may like it!

tomseafari · #6 08-21-2005, 10:43 AM

Gaulois, i have a 1973 seafari in good shape with a 150 johnson on a decent trailer that i am reluctantly going to sell. i'd like to get 2900. I live on cape cod. 508-255-7777

gaulois · #7 08-21-2005, 11:40 AM

Thanks everyone for your help. Thanks to fr. frank I snapped up the red 20ft Seafari. Unfortunately it has a "too thirsty five" outboard, but the price is right. Its seems as though there is far less demand on the Seafaris as they are less expensive. I will miss the 23ft CC ride, but at least Im not getting a 20ft Grady Cuddy. Has anyone ever rode in one of those? With the sea at the stern the hull would plung into the following wave and vere to the port or starboard! My 23 would stay straight on for the most part. Going head on in the Grady, I had to take tylenol for weeks because of an excruciating head ache.

oldbluesplayer · #8 08-22-2005, 01:20 PM

Gaulois - nice looking boat - Congrats !!! but then I'm prejudiced towards red seafari 20's [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

just a thought, though - not sure what year yours is, if it makes a difference, but the specs seem to say that the 20' Seafari OB is only rated up to 175 hp, so that 235 is a pretty hefty motor you got on there - though I reckon she'll fly, if you give her the chance.

Bill

gaulois · #9 08-22-2005, 01:32 PM

Oldblues:
Yes, I agree- the "too thirsty five" does seem to be a bit much. But because of the price.... idealy I would put a 140 or so 4stroke. Where are you in NH? I live south of Portland, ME.

oldbluesplayer · #10 08-22-2005, 03:18 PM

G-

just west of Nashua.

I think my choice for repower might be a Merc 135 Optimax - but 130 - 140 sounds about right, unless your going to be running heavy loads, then 150. Just have to watch for when the money guys running twins repower, and there should be some decent engines in that size available.

Bill