Vintage Potter Built 23' Straight Inboard Diesel

[Snookerd]

Awesome history Don. I had a 79 23 with an original diesel jack shafted to an out drive. It came with a Volvo motor in the big console. I don't doubt that at the time your boat was built it was the only one. I agree with Sandy that the Volvo motor was the factory diesel used as an inboard and over 50 were built, and yours was the 1st. They all seem to be mostly up north.

[Boatboy6]

Mabe he means only factory built boat without a prop pocket?

[Snookerd]

Makes sense

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by Don Ferguson

Hi again. I have seen a few gas inboards converted to diesel. I do believe that mine was the only one Bill Potter did. It was not the fast boat that won the Miami Bahamas races for seven years and Bill was into fast back then 1973-4). At the same time Blackfin and Shamrock were putting in small diesels. Blackfin had a 24 they called the "blackcat" w/, guess, Cat engine. Mine hull is a '75.

My hull was the first diesel (straight) and was a demo by Boat Center Ft. Lauderdale, Chick Gagan. I bought it out the back door through Bill but had to piece off Chick as the "dealer'. Later Chick was quoted as saying, "That Boat has sold more SeaCrafts for me ...". The Zara Spook went on to win the South Fla. Triple Crown six times through the late 70's and 80's. This is Her third rebuild. Don

I was thinking total IB numbers. Gas as well. Pocket drive on yours?

[Don Ferguson]

Yes. Mine has the pocket drive and allows you to literally go where no one's gone before. In many areas I can put the bow on the beach and not touck bottow at the stern

[Don Ferguson]

Thanks again for input. Yes, I've seen the jackshafts. Mine is straight drive w/ pocket. Don

[Don Ferguson]

No, straight inboard with prop pocket... Don

[Don Ferguson]

Thanks for that bit of History I was not aware of. Perhaps I was told wrong. I was told the SeaCraft won the race seven years, before the longer boats (cigarrettes) maybe it was the pre-Potters? Bill is doing survey work here in Broward. Maybe I can get a note to him. Don

[Don Ferguson]

The engine in mine, the first, was a 170 Misubishi import by Chrysler. It was after cooled/inter cooled to 200HP. Not near as powerful as the 6bt5 Cummins We put the cummins in when parts for the Jap engine became a nightmare due to age. Don

[Boatboy6]

I really love these old inboards, we need pics!