Classic 1978 center console 18' SF

[conchcuzzy]

Uncleboo, thanks for sharing your advice and experience. Perhaps there is a difference in how our 18s are rigged and/or transoms configured, but I have not had any of the issues you describe. Fishing blue water with over 1,200 pounds of guys and gear on board the rigging stays dry and my hydraulic steering is above water. This may be due to the jack plate I use. I will get closeup shots of my transom and rigging to better illustrate.

[conchcuzzy]

Zachary, that's correct 77.5" between and 66" tall. I will confirm the width measurement today making sure the uprights are not squeezed or spread. Bear in mind the 1978 18sf has wider gunnels than earlier models so you may need an inch or two wider Bimini frame to depending on your configuration. I will also get you the open measurement.

[erebus]

Originally Posted by conchcuzzy

Bear in mind the 1978 18sf has wider gunnels than earlier models so you may need an inch or two wider Bimini frame to depending on your configuration.

They do?!
That's a weird production change. Wonder why...
I already thought the gunnels on my 1975 were pretty wide.
Interesting factoid nonetheless.

Anyway, thanks for the measurements!

[conchcuzzy]

Zachary, I will measure the gunnels just to be sure. The actual width of the Bimini top is 77" not 77.5". Stainless steel frame, 4 bow, maker unknown. Sunbrella canvas.

[conchcuzzy]

Checked, sanded and sealed the tank with zinc chromate. Reinstalled tank with new lines and removed old wet foam.

Refilled and capped rear of stringers that had been cut-out and left open before!

[conchcuzzy]

Outer skin laminated in transom.

[conchcuzzy]

Here's some "before" pic of the transom. Cropped kind of tight, but you can see everything is well above water line. I will get some after shots with a wider angle view...

The trade off with the 18 is the deck is very low, basically at the water line. The positive of this is that the 20" transom leaves about as much above the water line as a 25" transom does on many bigger boats. If I had a 20, 21, 23 or larger I would definitely raise or enclose the transom.

[uncleboo]

Originally Posted by conchcuzzy

Uncleboo, thanks for sharing your advice and experience. Perhaps there is a difference in how our 18s are rigged and/or transoms configured, but I have not had any of the issues you describe. Fishing blue water with over 1,200 pounds of guys and gear on board the rigging stays dry and my hydraulic steering is above water. This may be due to the jack plate I use. I will get closeup shots of my transom and rigging to better illustrate.

I'm very interested in seeing your pics. I'd like to see one of the stern with the motor all the way down and one from the side. May just give me some ideas. Thanks!