1989 Sceptre to Center Console

smilinmatt · #1 10-19-2022, 04:38 PM

After installing the hatches and hardware, I used Kiwigrip for nonskid. For the rubrail, I left it on the asphalt for a few hours and had a friend help hold it in place as I screwed it on. I ended up using a heat gun to make sure I had a smooth curve at the bow and the stern corners.

I had the bracket built by A & J Marine. I went with a flotation bracket with a kicker mount. I went with the kicker option vs twins for two reasons. 1. If I had twins and one went out, the options are either lug the good motor hoping to get planing speeds or idle back in. 2. With a kicker, I have an excuse to get a jon boat.

I forgot to mention, but you can see it in some of the pictures, that I went with side scuppers for deck drain. I kept the original drains for the stern fishbox. The scupper covers I made by sanding foam into the shape I wanted, then fiberglassing over them. I built up enough layers to make it solid, then I scraped the foam out of it.

smilinmatt · #2 10-19-2022, 04:55 PM

The rest is just outfitting the boat. I kept the wiring simple. My first two cars were MGs, so I have an irrational fear of anything electrical. Everything is well labeled, so it can be easily isolated if needed. The console, leaning post and t-top all came from a guy that was rehabbing a 25 SeaVee.

The fabric on the top needed replacing. Rather than going with new fabric, I made a hard top out of extruded pvc. I coated it with one-part marine paint. We'll see how it holds up, but I've got less than $200 into it and only 3 or 4 hours labor, and it looks great.

Looking for engines in 2022 is not a pleasant task. I talked to several Tohatsu dealers (first choice), and got anywhere from being laughed at, to they weren't even willing to take a deposit. I did find one Suzuki dealer that said he could get a 250 mechanical for $26k plus installation. He said it would be 30-60 days out.

Even newer used are in short supply (probably because of new supply), so I ended up with a 2004 F225 that had the midsection replaced.

(The on the lift pictures are a couple days after Ian. I just gave it a quick rinse and put it on the lift.)

smilinmatt · #3 10-19-2022, 05:15 PM

As far as performance goes, this one is quite a bit different than how it started. Originally, as a Sceptre, I had a 2001 225 OX-66. Top speed was just at or under 40 mph, 4000 rpms was about 24 mph and I think around 4700 for 30 mph. I was getting a little better than 2 mpg cruising in the 4-4500 range.

Now I have a 2004 F225 with a 19 pitch SWS prop (I believe 15 1/4). I haven't put much time on it yet, but with 4 people and half a tank, I was seeing:

4000 rpms - 26 knots (30 mph)
4500 rpms - 30 knots
5700 rpms - 41 knots (47 mph)

That was going into a 10 knot wind. I didn't compare numbers when I turned around.

I didn't have the fuel flow hooked up when I ran those numbers. Since I've installed it, I've only gone from the boat ramp to the lift, so I don't know where I am fuelwise yet.

Some other performance notes. I was a bit concerned about how the weight would affect it. I'm probably 1000# lighter than when I started (and getting 47 mph with an F225 confirms that). There were whitecaps on the bay the day I took it out, and if anything, it handled those conditions better than it did originally. With everything fiberglassed together, it feels much more solid - no rattles or noises at all.

At idle, there is a little bit of squat. Not much, but I can tell the difference vs how it was as a Sceptre. It jumps on plane easily with very little bow rise. I didn't play with the trim tabs much, other than just to make sure they were working correctly.

I'm planning on doing about a 100 mile run on Saturday for a spearfishing tournament. The forecast is for 10-15 all day, so I should have a better performance report then.

Capt Chuck · #4 10-19-2022, 07:25 PM

Good ideas I'm seeing Smiln!
A couple of questions sir. Why did you decide on raising the deck 2" ?
Who gave you that idea?
Have you stood at the transom of a 23' SeaCraft with a raised floor too measure where your knees now come in contact with the gunwhales ?
Just curious

smilinmatt · #5 10-21-2022, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Good ideas I'm seeing Smiln!
A couple of questions sir. Why did you decide on raising the deck 2" ?
Who gave you that idea?
Have you stood at the transom of a 23' SeaCraft with a raised floor too measure where your knees now come in contact with the gunwhales ?
Just curious
10-19-2022 05:15 PM

I raised the deck both to keep it higher than the waterline and make the area outside the stringers usable as below deck storage. On the Sceptre, when a couple people would stand on one side, I'd get water on the deck. Since I'm mostly diving out of the boat, having 2" less freeboard isn't a big deal.