Seacrafts sink?

Reel Smoker · #1 06-17-2002, 05:08 PM

I've heard of comments that Seacrafts were called sinkers. Can anyone comment on this and why were they sinking.
Do you all keep your plugs in the front fish box,in compartment in the front of the console and under console plugs in while in the water? was this the problem they were having with sinking? RS.

Billybob · #2 06-17-2002, 05:41 PM

I had an old timer OMC mechanic tell me that last summer too - he also said it was one of the best riding, toughest boats built.Here's how he described it in a nutshell.The boat is a little narrow in the beam and heavy in the stern, you get a couple big guys in the stern and sink the scuppers, it gets to the point where there's not enough bouyancy to hold up the guys and the water comin in and down she goes.Now, I don't know if it's completely true - or what kind of transom these boats had - but I have heard this rumor from others too.I'll tell one thing,I have to do something to seal my livewell. I have the big high splashwell with the livewell in it.When the waves enter the splashwell, it eventually fills up the live well - and now I got a couple hundred pounds sittin in the transom that I don't need, and my transom gets even lower - so I got to work on that this week.

FELLOW-SHIP · #3 06-17-2002, 05:52 PM

HA REEL SMOKER
I THINK THAT THE SCUPPERS IN THE AFT DECK WHERE THE PROBLEM. I THINK IT WAS A COMBO OF THE BOAT IN THE WATER ALL THE TIME, WATER IN THE BILGE, NO AUTOMATIC BILGE PUMP, PLUS TOO MUCH WEIGHT IN THE STERN (TWO MOTORS) PLUS NO WATER TIGHT HATCHES THAT GO INTO THE BILGE AND THEN THE SCUPPERS THAT WILL ALLOW WATER TO COME IN IF THE BOAT IS TWO HEAVY ALL LED TO SINKS VILLE. NEWER BOATS SCUPPERS GO OUT THE TRANSOM WHICH SOLVES ANY PROBLEM. I MOVED WEIGHT FORWARD SOME AND REALLY DON’T KEEP BOAT IN THE WATER EXCEPT FOR THOSE OCCASIONAL ONE WEEK TRIPS TO THE KEYS. NEGLECT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER WILL ALWAYS GET YOU WITH BOATS.
FELLOW-SHIP

Miles Offshore · #4 06-17-2002, 06:14 PM

Heard of plenty of them sinking here in Va Bch but all at the dock/pier. scupper plugs left in in a hard rain and getting caught under a pier is the common culprit.a 23 inboard police boat like mine sank a couple years back after having a crab dredge sitting on the stern overnight, not sure why itwas there but they are pretty heavy as well. craig

Scott · #5 06-17-2002, 08:05 PM

Everything everyone else has already said ... If someone only said to you they are "sinkers" they were nice.....I told one of the sales guys that I had been dealing prior to getting my boat that I had bought a SeaCraft....his response was "Oh you bought a SinkCraft" ... He was just jealous [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I personally know of one that went down at the dock because of dead batteries/loss of bilge pumps. Rainwater ended up in the bilge due to the hatches not being sealed and thus draining to the bilge, which eventually lead to the battery drain. Then the boat got so heavy the scuppers let water onto the deck, eventually filled the bilge and to the bottom she went. Naturally this one could have been avoided.

I think Steve's boat may have gone under, prior to his ownership, due to failure of the thru-hull drain in the box under the casting platform.

Reel Smoker · #6 06-17-2002, 10:23 PM

Man,this post got everyones attetion. Billybob,Ihad the same problem with the splashwell and the livewell it was always under water and when it was rough it was scary and forget about backing down.Actually thats were I had heard they sunk they took a big wave from the stern and the water could'nt go out fast enough.Ever since I closed up the transom and put the bracket this has all changed,with the cone scuppers no more water comes in thru them.I can back down on waves with no problem.If your thinking of getting rid off the splashwell I think you'll love it. I got some pictures that I'm working on getting them posted,I think you'll be hooked.
Fellowship, that makes sense to much weight in the stern the selfbails where already low to begin with, more water,no battery down they went. Scott I love Sinkcrafts.tHANKS FOR EVERYONES RESPONSE RS.

Gator · #7 06-21-2002, 10:56 PM

I had an 1970's vintage 23 Seacraft that nearly sank as the result of leaking through hull fittings. The factory installed through hulls were plastic that were set in place with some type of caulking. Eventually they would start to work loose and leak with unfortunate results if the bilge pump failed. After figuring out what was wrong, I replaced all through hulls with brass ones and never had a problem.
I also know of a late 80's vintage one sinking while anchored in a storm as the result of water coming in throught the rear scuppers and getting into the bilge through a hatch in the deck that was not sealed.
The Seacraft that I owned had the rear drains going through the deck. While they were a pain in that you got your feet wet, that weren't a factor in Seacrafts sinking unless they bacame loose and started to leak.