Is Seacraft 19 a Classic?

[McGillicuddy]

Im not sure Mr. Moesly made that move. My guess is Mr. Potter did as he intended more production. Regardless, that move apears to have been made in '68 or '69.

Boating mags of the era show a Princeton address in a "1968" Seafari 25 article, while an identified as 1969 Seafari 20 article shows the Miami address. Coast Guard manufacturers database may offer more specifics. 65Bowrider may have more details on that too.

[ocuyler]

Hi Tommy,

I've had several SeaCrafts, including 2 Moesly 19' bowriders, a 1971 Seafari, a 1970 20CC and my current 23CC. I sold the 1965 I/O bowrider and recently acquired a 1967 3+3 outboard bowlder which in under the knife as we speak.

Having torn a couple of these down all the way, I can attest to the build quality and sturdiness. I am downsizing from a 23 CC to this 19, as it's arguably the best all around SeaCraft for fishing, cruising, trailering, and just plain having fun. When completed, she'll seat 7 comfortably with the optional rear bench. She'll handle any weather you have the balls to go out in and with the 90 eTec, the economy is terrific.

This one has a 4" hole and scoop just behind the nav light on the bow. That pushes air through a pipe under the floor to the 2 little side compartments and the fuel cell area. There are 1 each forward and rear facing scoop on the stern topside. Some think it's weird, but I like that there is full air flow down thru there. I will be happy to share images, if you like.

This is definitely about the journey of researching, buying, renovation (if you choose) and enjoying these amazing boats as well as the camaraderie of the folks on this site. I have been hanging around here since 2002 and it's part of my life. Welcome

All of the configurations have there pros and cons. This may be my favorite.

[McGillicuddy]

Otto,
I'd love to see some pics, other than Carlas CJ,I haven't seen much of the 19s.

[tommyg29]

Im certainly in for pics too.
I am looking for a 20cc, but the converted 19 is basically the same boat I assume. One I am about to look at has a flat foam deck throughout (no casting deck in the bow) but you lose a lot of storage that way. Also a full transom platform with outboard mount.

Almost forgot, it has the spray rails which Ive noticed on some others. Were they an optional thing, or did they come only on certain models? Do they really help with spray?

[ocuyler]

The 19' and 20' hulls are very similar with some additional bow lift built into the 19'. I loved my 20cc, but there was no place for anyone to sit.

Images of the current 19 bowrider project can be seen at: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9xgtaqqbj...ZKmX7ov4a?dl=0.

[Terry England]

Originally Posted by ocuyler

The 19' and 20' hulls are very similar with some additional bow lift built into the 19'.

Otto is correct. Carl Moesly did something to the forefoot on the Bowriders that prevents them from "plowing" no matter how much weight you put in the bow. I run with this load up in the bow Tanks, Coolers, dive gear, coolers etc. and the front bow light always runs 4' off of the sea surface. I don't have to much to counter balance the bow load either with an E-tec 90. (KMoose and I are the only ones on this site with Non-skid dashes - our SeaCrafts are the other end of the spectrum of Capt. Chuck's and Blue Heron's showpieces)

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by tommyg29

Im certainly in for pics too.
I am looking for a 20cc, but the converted 19 is basically the same boat I assume . . .

Almost forgot, it has the spray rails which Ive noticed on some others. Were they an optional thing, or did they come only on certain models? Do they really help with spray?

Moesly actually modified a 19 mold to make the 20! Carla said Keikhaefer, who was a big SeaCraft fan, wanted a boat to race in a 20' class, so Carl literally took a chainsaw to a 19 mold, making cuts down the stem and then about halfway back along the chine. The 19 is a wet boat because it doesn't have much flare in the bow, so Carl moved the sides out about an inch at the chine (you'll notice a flat about 1" wide at the chine on the front half of the 20' hull), and then flared the sides out as you move forward. He then created the clipper bow to tie the whole thing together, which increased CL length to 19'8", so I guess that was close enough for it to be considered a 20' boat!

So bottom line is that the 20 is IDENTICAL to the 19' hull below the chine! Only differences are the increased bow flare, the flat at the chine, and the clipper bow on the 20. The spray rails are a good addition on the 19!

[Ryan]

Tommy are you looking at a blue 19 in Miami that's been fully restored?

[tommyg29]

Originally Posted by Ryan

Tommy are you looking at a blue 19 in Miami that's been fully restored?

Yes, and another "project" in Homestead, but I havent actually seen the blue one yet. You know it?
Oculyer, those are PICTURES. You know how to come across.
Sandman, I have looked at 3 different classics over the past year, and all have had the rails.
Knowing my resources and capabilities, my perfect boat would be one between project and restored. One where the structural and mechanicals have been gone through and can be relied on, but some cosmetics and miscellaneous still need finishing. Probably hard to find. Another requirement is fitting within my 98" wide storage gate. Im used to having one inch clearance on each side of the trailer fenders, LOL Seems a stupid consideration, but such is my plight living in modern suburbia in a cookie cutter home.

Unfortunately I have several important things demanding my time right now so my searching will have to take a short break but I have lots more reading to do.

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by tommyg29

Yes, and another "project" in Homestead, but I havent actually seen the blue one yet. You know it?
Oculyer, those are PICTURES. You know how to come across.
Sandman, I have looked at 3 different classics over the past year, and all have had the rails

Well the main reason you see so many spray rails on the 19 ' s is because the hull dose not have the same chine as the 20's do forward on the hull edge. Look at the 20's and you will see the chine runs forward all the way to the nose stepping out wards and turns down slightly. The 19' s don't run as far forward so its not there to break the spray and throw it outwards so rails are added . They get the boat on plane quicker and also keep it from digging in a following sea as well as keep the spray from coming back in the boat. They help on any boat but not needed on a 20 as much as the 19 hull due to it is built out more in the area circled below. There were other changes between the two but that is the main one I know about other than the inside lay out and the stringer grid instead of the box stringers in the 20's. Terry and the guys that have them can tell you much more. I just had some one show me this difference one a long time ago.