Question ref the old 21' hull

[SandlapperGT]

I don't have a Seacraft and in fact have never even ridden in one, but have been bitten by the bug after seeing the Moesly 21s on this site.

I understand the question. It seems like several boats with lesser pedigrees and reputations have been copied more often- take the Formula 233. A great boat and it has withstood the test of time. Think how many copies have been made- 20+? Why it and not the Moesly 21?

My guess is that as a poster mentioned it was a 21, and although a big 21 most people didn't see it as a "true" offshore boat. Factor that with how big it was and the cost of the Moesly 21 was probably the same or higher than most other 23s in the market.

A question I have is that I understand from reading the Mr Moesly started building and testing a 23 but then scaled it back to 21 which was then raced and put into production. I understand he also said that generally speaking a bigger boat will ride better. If so, why did he scale back to 21? Was it to meet certain class restrictions? Was it that the 21 was faster given the available horsepower outboards at the time?

Just curious. And thanks for all the insight and letting me lurk!

[Bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by SandlapperGT

Was it that the 21 was faster given the available horsepower outboards at the time?

I think this is the answer and it's just a guess on my part . . . since the highest HP was 100 available in outboard form. Shortening the boat to 21 would make it lighter and faster, but that's just a guess on my part.

http://store.oldmercs.com/category_s/792.htm

I found this quote from Sandy.
"Carla said the best racers wanted the shortest hulls for less weight and more top end."

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...=24967&page=14

[Bigshrimpin]

I don't know how I missed this one on Carla's site.

http://www.moeslyseacraft.com/upload...2013-no144.pdf

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by Bigshrimpin

I think this is the answer and it's just a guess on my part . . . since the highest HP was 100 available in outboard form. Shortening the boat to 21 would make it lighter and faster, but that's just a guess on my part.

http://store.oldmercs.com/category_s/792.htm

I found this quote from Sandy.
"Carla said the best racers wanted the shortest hulls for less weight and more top end."

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...=24967&page=14

The Seafari house on that hull looks right.

When Carl made the mold outta plywood, 2x4`s ,and Formica for the dedicated race hulls,
he made the transom adjustable for a reason. Just as Tim has said. Carl knew the 25 would be faster given the power of the day, but you would increase face washing and spinal compression.

Mark Hauptner ran with Carl in `67 on the Haulover to KW race. Mark said they had trip
110`s and lost one around Summerland Key. Mark said they set a new ob record of 62 kts.
Now, were these special motors? If Frank Brown and Mr K were involved, I would say without a doubt.

The first two hulls popped from the mold were the only 25`s.
One red and one yellow.

10 total were made. Anyone have a break down of the lengths and numbers?



Cheers,
GFS

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by gofastsandman

dedicated race hulls,

The first two hulls popped from the mold were the only 25`s.
One red and one yellow.

Cheers,
GFS

Here is a quote from Richie Powers that raced both 21 and the larger purpose built hulls.....

Quote from member X7champ (serious offshore) "I used to race them. The original seacraft co. was founded by Carl Mosely and his wife Jean. Carl used to race his boats and caught the attention of Carl Kiekhaefer of mercury who bought several boats to race his outboards against the OMC offshore factory teams. I am talking about 1964 to 1968/69. We used to buy the hulls from Moesly without decks and build them out at lake X we had custom plywood decks glassed over, most all boats had tandem cockpits, the days before the throttleman position. I had my own factory boats. First was 21' with twin 110 in line 6`s next was 25' with triple 135 hp in line 6`s. Carl also built a 29' race boat. I believe it was 1968/9 when Bill Potter came in and bought the company from Carl, with the intention of mass production. The real Seacraft was Carl Moesly, Potter actually just produced what Carl had designed and built, he was not a designer or manufacturer, just happened into the industry. I became good friends with Bill and speak with him to this day. Bottom line, the Seacraft is still a great boat and has a pedigree background, here in Fla. people still seek them out and restore them. One of my favorites was a little 15' sport boat that they built, when I was a test driver for Merc. I ran one for many hours, we used to run the Renault 60 & 80 hp mercruiser packages, Freddie Kiekhaefer had one custom built with Mercruiser 140 hp that was really fun. Most of the 15`s were a color of Burnt Orange, if you ever find one let me know, I would love to have it. Good luck with a Seacraft, you cannot go wrong."

[SandlapperGT]

The 21 looks nice like that. Looks like Carla inherited some of her Dad's talent.

Since there are so few of the 21s available, any idea if anyone has the offsets?