18' seacraft help

[eggsuckindog]

The 18 is 18-10 actaully and yep will do anything a 20 will

[76Red18]

Come on Egg, she's only 18'2. I've never been on a 20, so I can't compare it to one. I will say, that set up properly,the 18 is ideal for coastal fishing for 2 anglers. She's too small to be a family boat. Balance is the key. I've set mine up to where when fully loaded the floor is level. It will float with the motor tilted in 12", perfect for huntinn those bronze backs tailing on the grass flats of P. I. Sound. I can't run shallower, but I can float shallower using my trolling motor than most of the big flats skiffs with their heavy ars 250 + hp motors. It excells as an inlet/ pass boat because of stable hull design. I see some big boats in Boca Grande Pass rockin and rollin way worse than mine when the afternoon sea breeze hits a strong outgoing tide. That runs of most of the 22 and under crowd to catch their tarpon elsewhere. On good days I'll run offshore. I've been 20 - 25 miles out many times; the limiting factors being fuel capacity and lack of a buddy boat. If the spring or fall kingfish run is on, I'll even go out 2 or 3 miles on a nasty day and and troll in 3 - 5 footers. Thats about the only time I get wet. Usually in normal conditions,if i start catchin a little spray, I just go faster!No problem.
My only gripe is the rear in floor box. I use mine for storage, but to keep it dry, I plumbed it with an auto 500 gph pump.
Keep the motor light, block off the splash well and use the front box as a ballast tank (plumb it as a fishwell or store heavier items in it). Trim tabs are great, though I mainly use mine to set port/starboard angle of "entry".
I have read that the 18 can ride better than the 20. I would say that if set up properly, they could perform equally. Now saying that, I've also read that he who has owned an 18 has regretted getting rid of it. Some of those guys now own 20's
Oh yeah, almost forgot, If ran at the proper trim it will not pound and is not wet.

[Caymanboy]

Jees guys, you'd a thought I wuz bashing the 18', reread the post, never said it wuz a bad ride, just said probably wusn't as good as a 20', same as a 20' is not a good as a 23', simple waterline lenght math. I said is wuz better than anything in it's class, I'm sure you will be very happy with it, and since I have a 20' I can say that any more than two fisherpeople in it, you might need some more room, sorry to get the heckles up on the 18 owners!!!!!!!! Annnnnnnnd, my 20 is a WETTTTTTTT ride.

[76Red18]

Nothing wrong with your post

[1Step]

I'll chime in here. I fished out of a 20 for years in south FL and it is by far the best riding 20' boat out there. Did you get wet in the 20, yes we did but we went out in just about any weather [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]
I now own a '89 18 (18-2 to be exact) and yes it's one of if not the best riding 18 I've been on. Does it ride better than a 20, I don't think so. The deadrises are different, the 18 having a little less so you'd expect a slightly rougher ride. But it's not a wet boat except if it's quartering you and blowing more than 15.
I think it is the best nearshore 2 person boat out there. Three will get a bit crowded but is fishable.
The console doesn't seem too wide on mine but maybe they changed it over the years.
It does sit a little low in the back, but I added some thin buna rubber to the top of the transom and it keeps a good amount of the water out. It's only an issue it seems when backed into heavy seas or backing down.
I too have had it out 25 miles and with the 50 gal tank it has and the 115 Johnny, I get just over 2 MPG so my range is easily 75-80 round trip with reserve.
I think the boat does need tabs (have them, love them) as when it gets a little testy, you just lower that beautiful bow and go.

[autombo]

i have a 1979 18'Seacraft with a 150 Merc. and it is the best riding 18' in its class, hands down. However, the only thing i dont like is the low transom.

[vcs]

Here are some pictures of my 18 with hermco bracket