Another 25 Seafari goes under the knife

[77SceptreOB]

Congrats on the first launch! Job well done... Are you planning on putting the windshield back on?

[strick]

Yo Dave-

Congratulations on getting her wet! Did you christen it? or at least spray some Sierra on her before that motor hit the water? I see you wanted to try it without the trim tab extensions. Good move. I would like o hear your report after they go on as far as how the boat handles. Can you PM me with your phone number as I got rid of my second cell that had your number on it. Once again congrats

strick

[McGillicuddy]

WTG Dave,
I guess you put her in so we could all see what a Seafari 25 looks like w/o a windshield, huh?
Boy she trims out nice after hitting the wake. Glad to see you splash her early, now its gonna be real tough keeping up with this threads pace...

[Blue_Heron]

Jim,
I don't have a windshield, so I have to make one. So far I haven't had any luck finding aluminum extrusion that will work, so it's looking like a woodworking project. After yesterday's ride, a windshield and bimini top are near the top of the to do list.

strick,
PM sent. Technically, we didn't christen it, but we did spill some Chimay on it.

As you know, the trim tabs don't have the authority we would like. They worked ok, but they have to go down a good way before they start to have an effect. When I was checking low speed planing, I had them all the way down and they were throwing a pretty good rooster tail.

I'm thinking of doing a separate thread on the tab extensions. I want to run the boat again without them so I can shoot some pics and maybe video of the 12x12s over the transom. I didn't think to do it yesterday, and I want to have before/after shots.

Gillie,
I think she'll look a lot better with a windshield. Function better too. But I just couldn't wait any longer for a boat ride.

The frenzy of activity leading up to the launch has left my shop looking like a bomb went off. I'm going to clean up the shop and sit down and make a list of the stuff that has to be completed to make the boat fishable. Grouper season is about to open up, and I need to get out there and put some fish in the box.

Dave

[WildBill]

"Look Ma no leaks". Congrats, makes me want to sing. "Way down upon the Suwannee River, far, far away". Looks like a classic on the river.

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by Blue_Heron

Gillie,
I think she'll look a lot better with a windshield. Function better too. But I just couldn't wait any longer for a boat ride.

The frenzy of activity leading up to the launch has left my shop looking like a bomb went off. I'm going to clean up the shop and sit down and make a list of the stuff that has to be completed to make the boat fishable. Grouper season is about to open up, and I need to get out there and put some fish in the box.

Dave

Spring is in the air.

She sits nicely and the numbers must be pleasing.

What about making a base for an existing extrusion?

Put some plastic sheet down. Add clay. Harden to the radius. Shave the top.

I`ve run far more unfinshed toys. I know the joy.

Very blue berry,
GFS
This will pull you to the finish in no time.

[seafari25]

Congrats on the splash Dave

She looks good in the water. The black trim is sharp.

I'm really impressed with your numbers so far. Is that pushing 315hp? Seems like a good match for the 25. Minimum planing speed, although already impressive, should be a bit better after your tab extensions. I'm also sure that they will be way more responsive from the top. I only touch the button for a split second. They are super sensitive with the plates.

In my experience, (going only 30 mph max) with a crew in the boat, you will need the tab extensions. At that speed, when someone moves a foot, one way or the other, she will lay on her side. You will want the tabs to be sensitive (and to keep your hand pretty close to the switch) I don't know what happens at 43...

With the raised floor, I think you will feel safer at the helm once you get the windshield in. When I stand on a cooler, I still feel like I'm cradled like a baby.

I'll be sad to see this thread end so take your time finishing her eh
Brandon

[wtenglish]

Congrats on reaching this milestone. Everything looks great!

[Blue_Heron]

Back in '89, my wife and I bought our first house in Ft. Lauderdale. I replaced all the jalousie windows with wood casement windows I made myself. At the end of the project I said if I ever get the chance to make my own windows again, I'll buy them instead. Now I remember why.

I've spent the last two weekends working on my windshield frame. The geometry is mind boggling. Today I got the frame assembled and did a trial fit. First time out was close, but no cigar. Then back in the shop to trim a few pieces, and the second trial fit was a success. Here are some pics of the process.

First, a mockup made of masonite so I could check all the angles. There are lots of them and none of them are 90°. There are the angles at the corners of each panel, and then the angle between the two front panels, and the angle between the front panels and the side panels.



Here are the frames for the windshield panels. All the corners are done with mortice and tenon joints. That was the easy part. Once the frames were made up, I had to figure out how to miter them together at the corners.





And here is the assembled frame set in place on the boat.





My windshield is smaller than the original. I want to be able to see over it when standing at the helm, and through it when seated.

I used some of the masonite from the mock up to make templates for my glass. I'm going to use 1/4" laminated for the front panels and either laminated or tempered for the side panels. I'll order the glass this week.

I plan to seal the frame with penetrating epoxy and then spray it with a two part polyurethane varnish. All the fastener holes will be overdrilled, filled with epoxy/wood flour, and then redrilled. I have at least one more weekend and some week nights before I'm ready to mount it on the boat.

Dave

[77SceptreOB]

Nice work! I'm sure VERY challenging...