New SeaCraft owner

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by chrisg224

Here are few of my projects and nightmares. The wiring is just plan horrible, I can't imagine that was factory. The most impressive thing was the quality and thickness of the teak. my buddy sanded and oiled it and we built a new backing out of starboard, that came out great. The problem I have is where I live there's an HOA and there like police roaming the neighborhood, I will work on it until they force me to move it

Nice looking rig Chris! Have you sea trialed it yet? Couldn't help but notice, since I have a similar roller trailer, that in your first and 3rd pics, it looks like boat is just a few inches too far forward on trailer . . . one of the aft rollers is about to go over the edge of transom! If that happens, it'll be a bear to launch!

One time I was testing brakes on way to the village ramp, which is only about a mile from my house, and I had left off my rear tie-down strap because of the short distance. Wasn't worried about boat rolling backwards because a safety chain on bow eye prevents that. What I discovered however, was that there was NOTHING to keep boat from rolling FORWARD when I left off my over-the-gunnel tie down strap! My winch stand has rollers above and below the bow eye, so when I hit the brakes, those rollers on the sloped stem allowed the bow to ride up and forward, and the aft rollers went off the hull and up around on the transom! Since I don't like dunking my trailer in salt water, it was back home to dig out the floor jack and 2x4's to jack up the stern enough for the boat to slide back into correct position! I also concluded that the only way my tie down strap was preventing the boat from rolling forward was by friction! Since the coaming on the Seafari tapers towards the transom, the strap would get LOOSER if the boat did roll forward on a real hard stop! I came up with a simple short ratchet strap from bow eye, straight down around trailer tongue and back up to the eye. It's quick to install and remove, and I haven't had any more problems since I started using it. Something you might want to add before you do much towing.

On the teak, I've tried just about every type of teak treatment in the 37 years I've had my boat. The UV is so strong in S. Fla. that all of the oils will oxidize and turn dark in about 3 months! The 2-part teak cleaners also do a lot of damage to the wood and will destroy the soft part of the grain. I sanded mine smooth and applied about coats of Epifanes Wood Finish Gloss about 6 years ago and it still looks great. I have learned to keep a cover on the boat, and I think that also helps a lot.

I hear you on the HOA's! My daughter has a place with one . . . what a PITA! She gets letters from them complaining about weeds growing in cracks in the sidewalk! There must be some folks that just don't have enough to do! Good luck getting your project shipshape!

[chrisg224]

I had a big problem when I picked up the boat, I had a long trailer tow home and in the the first mile I realized the boat was positioned wrong on the trailer because I had very little tongue weight. So my first stop was Wal Mart for a bigger drop hitch. That wasn't enough, so I moved the winch forward and moved the boat 6 inches forward. That did it, but at the expense of the last rollers coming off the back. It all worked out I got it home safe.

I launched it yesterday and it ran fantastic, and I was able to move the axels aft and make all the necessary adjustments to the trailer. now its perfect. I still have a lot of modifications to do on the boat, but I am very pleased with the ride of the hull.

On the fishing seen out west, Its looking very good. The bluefin and yellowtail are at about 70 mi from San Diego and moving north. The real good news is the yellowfin and Dorado are not that far behind them. I work part time as a captain on a long range boat out of San Diego so I get very good information. My plan is to get the SeaCraft ready before those fish get to 30 mi. Thanks to everybody for all the great responses. Hopefully my next post will be pictures of me launching it on its first fishing trip.

Thanks Chris

[McGillicuddy]

Welcome aboard Chris, and nice find.
19th boat officially makes you a boat-ho
But you picked a good one. You'll be happy coming home from the 371 on a snotty day or jetting out to the top of the 9 on a mixed up day. Me thinks the Mako would have made you believe you left a kidney at the Kidney Bank.

What long range boat are you on? 70 miles is still out of range for my Seafari but maby next year I'll get a modern motor.

182, 302, and the rockpile are my current ranges with 30 gallons and that's pushing it. Hopefully the fishies come in close and get by the Mexican seiners at the 1010 trench.

Nice looking 20'. Good luck and and maybe see you out there.

Cheers,
Gillie

[chrisg224]

Hi Gillie, yes those are all the spots. Are you from San Diego? The boat I worked on is the Pacific Star out of Seaforth. I haven't worked on it for a while because I have had a bad run with my hips, Im on my third hip replacment. The good news is I feel great now.

Chris

[McGillicuddy]

Sheesus Chris, 3rd hip replacement? Sorry to hear it. Should have looked for a SeaCraft long ago. But now you're feeling good and you have a nice ride that will hopefully preserve them joints.

Yeah, I'm out La Mesa off the 8 and usually run out from Dana Landing or Shelter Island. I'll send a pm with contact info if you want to get together for a shakedown cruise.

Here's my rig, give a shout if you see her out, cheers Gillie:

[pelican]

Originally Posted by chrisg224

Thats exactly what those quick releases are, but the kicker is coming off. Right now its fixing all those damn holes they put in the transom.

lower that transducer too - it's way high,it will never read,as soon as the boat begins to move...

those plastic thru hulls are trouble...

[chrisg224]

Your right Pelican, All the plastic thru hulls have been replaced. I never understood plastic below waterline. I will lower the transducer.

Thanks Chris

[jerry1]

Gillie
Did you make that arch or buy it?? One would look good on my Seafari

[chrisg224]

Well, I ran the boat offshore for the first time. I am so happy I bought this boat, simply put, it was amazing. I ran straight west 26 mi, it was early in the morning and very light winds, so I had no problem maintaining 22-25 knots.
I turned south and ran for another 18 mi. I was looking for kelp patties, but never found one. For you east coast guys thats where our yellowtail like to hang out. The real test came in the afternoon, I had worked my way south about 25 mi. from San Diego. The winds had come up to over 20 kts and my course home was not a favorable one. I got wet, but any 20 ft boat would have been wet, what was impressive is how I was able to maintain 18-20 straight in to it. The boat won me over.

[BigLew]

Welcome to the "Club of the Knowing". Nothing else like it. It can put you where others fear to tread without a care in the world, only a grin on your face asking for more!