Is Seacraft 19 a Classic?

[manitunc]

So, I took some measurements and the hull is exactly 19' long, so I guess it is a converted bow rider. Its 6'-10" at the transom and 7'-4" just forward of the console. Hope to get the rest of the barnacles off the bottom this weekend and take it for a spin to see what she will do.

[uncleboo]

That's a sweet looking ride. Looking forward to hearing about the performance.

[Terry England]

Originally Posted by manitunc

So, I took some measurements and the hull is exactly 19' long, so I guess it is a converted bow rider. Its 6'-10" at the transom and 7'-4" just forward of the console. Hope to get the rest of the barnacles off the bottom this weekend and take it for a spin to see what she will do.

I looked at the pictures on your album and I don't think it is a converted Bowrider. I think it is just an early Open Fisherman / Center Console. There are some bumps in sides of the liner on the Bowriders like the Seafari's have where there is the little shelves and the cap has a 2" X 3" bump up, above the deck on each side in the last 4' from the transom. Look at he bottom of the cap and see if the restorer modified the cap there. The cap looks like original Moesly Seacraft to me, in the pictures, where it flares up slightly before turning down on for the inside surface of the cowling leaning surface. A good glass guy may have fixed the transom, sides and floor to look original, but where the heck would he find an original 19' cap?. By "converted" he may have meant that it was originally an I/O, which would have given you the full transom. Scrape the barnacles off it and go wear it out. You'er good to go.

[manitunc]

The cap has been completely replaced with coosa board, as was the deck. I ended up pumping out the tank as there was quite a bit of water in the fuel. 40 gallons worth of useless fluid. Not sure how its possible that so much water could have gotten in there from condensation, and I dont see any leak or how it could have gotten in from the outside. Ive purchased a remote tank to see how the engine runs. Oddly, it ran fine on the hose at home. but when I put it in the water it wouldnt stay running at the dock. Thats when we discovered the water in the fuel.

Oh well, I expected to have issues and was going to replace the tank anyway as a precaution and to move it forward to counter the engine bracket.

[manitunc]

Ok, yesterday took it for a spin. No barnacles. 46mph trimmed out, two people, 10 gal fuel. Tach only showed 3000 rpm, so obviously not correct. Prop has no markings, but I assume 19p. Jumped up on plane, stong acceleration. Handled great. I love this boat.

[Capt Terry]

Originally Posted by manitunc

I ended up pumping out the tank as there was quite a bit of water in the fuel. 40 gallons worth of useless fluid. Not sure how its possible that so much water could have gotten in there from condensation, and I dont see any leak or how it could have gotten in from the outside.

Several years ago I couldn't understand how so much water was getting into my '76 fuel tank. I had run for a long time without resealing the access lid. I've always used a good water separating fuel filter and it was filling up about once per trip. When I removed the foam surrounding the tank there were 3-4 holes about 2/3's up from the bottom. Apparently salt and probably chlorine from scrubbing the deck had corroded the old tank. The boat was stored outside without a cover so rainwater & washdown was getting into the tank with no apparent fuel loss. I bought a replacement tank from RDS (I think). They made it to the dimensions I provided. I should have reduced the height a bit as the replacement has a little bow to the bottom so had to do a little glass grinding to avoid interference between the lid and the fuel fill.

[manitunc]

My tank was replaced during the rebuild, so no more than 3-4 years old, and I dont see where any gas was leaking into the bilge. Since I pumped 45 gallons out, it was full, just like the gauge stated. I'm running it right now on an external tank until I can pressure test the existing tank.

[tommyg29]

I mentioned in another thread that I looked at this boat a few years ago at dinner key. Never got to look too closely though and didnt take it out. Seemed like a very nice boat at the time, but felt it was just a little over priced for what it was. I did my research on it and came to the conclusion it was a converted bow rider, but Im no expert.

In the meantime, since Im the OP, I guess I should mention that I finally did find the right opportunity, and ended up buying an '89 20 footer a few months ago. So far very happy with it, and picked it up for a price I could afford. I see some nicely restored classics asking a LOT of $$. My 89 is no classic, but I hope to enjoy it just the same.
I appreciate some of the suggestions and advice, and I hope to run into some of you guys this season.
Cheers, and safe boating!

19' Seacraft


My '89 20'

[manitunc]

Tommy,
Very nice boat. bet it flies with the 200.

You say you looked at mine a few years ago. Do you know who the seller was or who did the rebuild. There are a few questions I'd like to ask. And yeah, for what they were asking back then, it was not a deal, but at less than a third of that price, I'm ok.

[tommyg29]

I dont know who the owner was but they had it listed with POP Yachts, and I downloaded dozens of pictures of it about 2-3 years ago. I saw the boat in person for a few minutes one sunday afternoon when I was at the marina in coconut grove, but I didnt get a chance to look closely since my wife was with me and she was in a hurry since we were about to eat with friends at scottys landing. It did not appear to have any sort of noticeable crack in the deck as you mention. Looked pretty clean to me. Just maybe a little too small, and asking too much I thought.
Still, I was going to make an offer, but things came up with work to put me off for the coming few months through the summer, and so I passed.
Here are a few sample pictures from their website. I have more if you want anything specific.