my new '72 20'sf

[povertysucks]

Fr. Frank, you know your -ish lol. I do have an ADI ignition system. She's gonna be a ripper.

[McGillicuddy]

Thanks for the pics Brad. I concur with Fr Frank's take. Mine is a tail end 83 and looks identical. That's an interesting grommet box on the splash well. You're in good shape with those stainless replacement hoses. My hoses were shot from rubbing on the transom and motor mounts. I just replaced them with the sierra version which appear to be junk already. I guess my adjustment is as good as its gonna get for now...

Regarding the trim motor, I recently had a failure right when I got home from a trip. I trimmed up to trailer but it quit when trying to trim it down to flush. Fortunately it's is a good simple motor and it proved to be a wear issue. I just replaced the brushes and a corroded ground screw and works fine again. If it ever fails the first things to look at are the reservoir (fill while motor is up)and the battery must be charged. If those things are ok then go to the manual and use the trouble shooting section.

Fr Frank posted some good advice a couple years back about these motors
Here's the link:
http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...rev=#Post56946
Short of the limited range during tuna season, I've been pleased with my motor. Cheers, Gillie

[povertysucks]

Thanks for the info!

The Marathon well in the back of the boat, do you think the holes drilled in the back of the transom would inhibit water intrusion?

Has this ever been an issue with anyone??

[Fr. Frank]

Short of the limited range during tuna season, I've been pleased with my motor. Cheers, Gillie

Gillie, just take extra 12 gal fuel tanks on the deck and burn them first, then lash the empties on the foredeck. The plastic 12 gal. tanks are $60 new at Walmart, or you can buy used 18-30 gal. poly tanks like I did. I used to carry up to an extra 60 gallons of fuel in two blue poly drums that originally held Dr. Pepper syrup. I got them at a local feed store for $15 each. I still use them to store bio-diesel.
That's how I used to go 100 miles offshore to the Florida Middle Grounds with my Seafari. I used to go to N28*31'48.4 W84*15'28.8 to start my drifts. Google it. It was 85 miles on a compass heading of 242* from the launch point at Cedar Key, or 97 miles heading 257* from Fort Island. Usually about 4.5 hours travel time to get there, cause one of the boats I went with was only capable of cruising at about 20 mph.
Are your tuna fishing grounds further out than 100 miles?

[Blue197320]

its funny, i used to have the same exact truck. 4.3l v6 auto xtreme. how does it tow that boat?

[povertysucks]

Lol, good stuff. I have the same engine, with the 5 speed, and 3.73 limited slip. You can hardly feel it back there. It doesnt mess with the suspension that much, lowers about .5" when I put the trailer on. I can't complain, it does the job!

[muddywater]

My 72 SF came with a Mariner about the same age with the exact same trim setup as yours (same engine as Merc different label). Trim started working after I refilled it and bled the air out. The motor had not been started in 15 years. I took it to the ramp and it started, but all of the gas lines burst because they were so dry rotted so you might want to do that because it is not very expensive and is easy to do. I also had to replace the wiring and of course the water pump. Have fun with the motor. You won't find any that light any more.

[povertysucks]

So I finally got everything ready to go! Took the boat out for the first run in 10 years over the weekend. Here are some pics....Enjoy!
-Brad


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[Wildman]

Very cool! I love the color, but I am a bit bias'd
I know mines a pre-72 and its the same 'seafoam' teal color. and has never been painted.

[Fr. Frank]

That is just sweet.