done.

[Mark]

Scott -

My Boga-grip tops out at 60#s, so the estimate of 225# is just a wild guess [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Here are some "detail" shots inside the boat -

The capacity to store fly rods under the gunnels was an absolute necessity:



As rods usually slide as far aft as they can while bouncing across the ocean, I wanted them to go ahead and start off all the way against the back wall so the grips couldn't slide back and the rod then be resting on the graphite:



Also notice in the photo above that the lid lifts via a molded in recessed area - I really wanted to avoid any latch pulls that weren't absolutely necessary.

Flush mount hinges without that floating center piece(s) proved impossible to find at a satisfactory quality level. That center piece also allows for a certain amount of rattling when the lid/hatch is closed. So, heavy duty standard stainless hinges were inverted, tapped from the bottom, polished, and used upside down as flush mount hinges - A bit costly to have done, but nice and quiet when running over chop:



The list of similar details is rather large and would take many pages to show them all, but my 20 hour engine break-in ended today, so the fishing begins and the detail photography ends. Thank you all for your patience wading through these images :-)

[Reel Smoker]

I'M IN LOVE!

[ocuyler]

Mark,

Congratulations! Well done.

What are you naming her - Blank Check?

[strick]

Very classy! That pic of it by the dock needs to go in a publication of some sort. It came out so nice that it could be the poster boy for the 20 footers. I'd like to know were they got those little black plastic guides that come out of the transom for the hydraulic hoses. I need to buy a couple of those. I'm getting closer [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Strick

[Mark]

Otto - that might be a rather appropriate name for the boat [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Strick - give Mike at Wildfire Marine a call (772.286.1925). He rebuilt the boat from scratch and knows where all the parts and pieces came from.

[Michael Vezzosi]

Holy Moly! Mark, that boat is SCHWEEEEET! Wish it was still located on the Ga. coast. Some awesome ideas for my 20' which I thought was pretty fresh. Now I understand the whole concept of raising the stringers 2.5"! Would it be possible to have another console popped from that mold? Simply impossible to have a T-Top with that monster in mine. I'd like to know how you like the 4 stroke 140, too. Man, Congradulations! You've got to be stoked! Nice job on the console plug, too. Best of luck! Now, Go Fish!!!

[Mark]

I suspect you can have as many consoles made from that mold as you like. All I did was come up with the dimensions that I wanted and make a dummy console out of foamcore. Mike at Wildfire made the actual plug and the mold. He has the mold sitting there on the shelf and could certainly make you a console. Give him a ring sometime, number is listed above.

As to the engine, it is going in for its 20 hour thing this morning, after which I am good for 100 hours between services. WOT on it gets me right around 36 knots, or just into the low 40's mph (at 6000 rpm). When cruising at 4000rpm, I am burning 4.9gph and moving along at 23 knots (not sure how many mph that is). I started out with an aluminum 14x21 prop on it and it was sluggish as well as unable to get past 5000rpm. I switched on day 2 to a stainless 14x20 prop and it made a world of difference: finally able to get the engine to turn 6000rpm, much better hole shot, and a speed in line with what other SC20 users are getting with the same engine (41-43mph). I like not having to remember to add oil to the reservoir each morning [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Trayder]

Mark-

Congrats on a rebuild like I have never seen before. I have not seen one other project that compares. Your thought and design with Mike from Wildfire's craftmanship is a winning combination.

It may be time to put the camera down for a bit, get Bill Potter, Mike Sternberg and yourself together to create on hell of a line of sportfishing boats.

You have created the finest SeaCraft afloat, now get out there and enjoy.

[Ryan]

WOW that is the sweetest 20 ive seen by far. Question for you guys, If you were a sea craft executive and you saw this boat, Would you be a little embarrased that a 28 year old boat looks so much nicer than whats coming from your factory? [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[jcurto]

Wow, I broke out in a sweat, Outrageous!!! The guys at the station watched as I scrolled through those pics in the link, they are inspired. Congratulations, Jim [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]