Re Propping 83 Merc on 72 Seafari

[Fr. Frank]

Your transom looks like someone already replaced the wood in it, but had no idea how to seal it, which makes me wonder how good of a job someone did. The plates are an obvious attempt to strengthen a weak transom, and the Formica is a disaster waiting to afflict you. Yeah, you gotta pull the motor off to fix it. Your transom is scary.

If necessary, replacing the transom can be accomplished structurally in as little as 3 days, if you plan ahead. Cosmetics stuff I don't know about.

There's lots of information on that subject here at Classic SeaCraft if you search for it.

[McGillicuddy]

Hi Fr. Frank, and all,
Thanks for the feedback. Bushwacker made some suggestions on products and approaches in an e-mail so thanks to you too, bushwacker. I kind of wondered about that transom fiddlin', because the material appears to be Fir or Cypress and shows a lap-joint. I was under the impression that the transoms on these things were lots of f-glass and resin over 1-3/8" ply., also the transom has been painted with something other than marine quality paint or gel coat as its faded and flaky. The transom is strong however -- and my mechanic and I both rocked on the motor pretty hard with no movement to the transom. I kind of think whoever cut down the transom & bolted on the aluminum plates did so knowing they needed to counter the loss of rigidity from messing with the original transom. Don't know why I give these guys the benefit of the doubt...? After all a lot of guys around here claim to be auto-body workers but they would have had a tough time passing a fifth grade pottery class...,heh, heh

By the way today I went down to work and I immediately noticed an old red Seafari 25 w/NY tags at my shipping terminal, apparently on its way to the Island State... Hope I haven't violated anyone's privacy but just in case I'll leave her name out of this...Never seen a 25 before. That's a lot of boat!!! -- G

[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