Raising transom to 25"

dcobbett · #1 11-25-2005, 01:18 PM

I’m jumping the gun a bit here, but I’m due to take delivery of a 1976 20Sf at the end of next week and I’ve begun to develop a mental list of improvements that I’d like to do before the start of next season. Got my positive hat on here, and I’m assuming that the transom is rock solid, but I’d like to raise it to 25”. I’ve done a lot of looking on this site and the Mako site and there is a ton of information/opinion on replacing transoms, but I have not found a lot on just raising a good transom to 25”.

I assume there is a better way than doing a complete a new transom @ 25”, and that it probably involves cutting back (routing out) the existing core in layers so the new material could be installed in an overlapping manner.

I’d appreciate any opinions, suggestions and thoughts on the matter.

RS · #2 11-25-2005, 03:43 PM

Dan,
If your 29 year old transom is really rock solid you should run out and buy some lottery tickets. No sense in letting that kind of luck go to waste. FWIW, i've seen a few transom modifications to 25" and they've all looked bad and cracked around the seam. I'd plan on a full transom replacement.

dcobbett · #3 11-25-2005, 05:05 PM

Look, I did say I had my positive hat on!

Ed · #4 11-30-2005, 01:40 AM

Dan-

Congrats on the new boat.

However, I agree that replacing the entire transom is probably the best way to go in the long run.

dcobbett · #5 11-30-2005, 05:34 PM

Ed,

Thanks. I'm scheduled to meet michigandave this Friday in PA so I should have the boat in the driveway this weekend.
BTW, please keep your eye open for a Yamaha 130 for me. I understand that's a very good engine for the 20' Seacraft SF hull.

alarie · #6 11-30-2005, 09:17 PM

I have a 130 Yamaha on my newly restored boat, and it is a great engine for the hull. I think it is the best option unless you are going new, but that is close to $14K.

Plan on a full transom job, BTW.

dcobbett · #7 11-30-2005, 11:03 PM

alarie,

Thanks for the message.One of the reasons I bought the SeaCraft this fall was because Evinrude was coming out with a 130 E-Tec (2S performance, 4S econmy and low noise, good HP to weight ratio). Now I understand that that engine has either been dropped or delayed a year. Anyone know what the real story is?

My options are 115 to 140/150, depending on what brand I chose. A local Suzuki dealer is saying the 140 is actually rated at about 130 (shaft), based on "dyno" testing, and their 115 actually puts out 120-125HP. He says the best deal he can offer is on the 140 (<10K), but the best buy (Suzuki) for the SeaCraft is probably the 115 (6.5-7K+/-). Any opinions on his comments?

If I go with Susuki, I'm concerned about the weight of the 140 since I'm not planning on raising the deck anytime soon.

Regarding the 115, I looked at a 20MA with a 115 Suzuki a few weeks ago and the owner/seller was very happy with the performace and economy of his rig. Alao, I think I remember a thread sometime ago on the merits of that engine on a 20 SeaCraft, but I couldn't find anything using the search feature; anyone else remember that thread?

Lenny · #8 11-30-2005, 11:18 PM

Dan my friend has a 20 with the 140 Zuke and he swears there isnt a better motor for that boat. Have you tried Atlantic Boats in Wareham for a price? I paid 15,650 installed, new gauges, new controls, cable, out the door sales tax and all for a Zuke 250 October 04 I was waiting to see the price on the new 150 Zuke [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Ed · #9 12-01-2005, 12:11 AM

Dcobbett-

Csicknick runs a Suzuki 140 on his 1979 20 Seacraft Seafari. And Trayder and Mark both run 140's on the 20 Seacraft C/C. I dont think you can beat that motor for peformance, price and longevity. Do you know that Nat & Derek at First Light put over 3000 hours on their twin Suzuki 140's before they traded them in for a new pair.

Also. since you are a North Shore guy....you should definitely speak with J&W Marine in Salem. They are Suzuki dealers and are very good guys. Remember service after the sale is important....

Ed

dcobbett · #10 12-01-2005, 09:29 AM

Ed,

Thanks for the information. Jay and Walter at J&W have been taking care of my current Suzuki for the last 2 years and we have talked this fall about a new 140 or a 115 on a SeaCraft. I know Derek and Nate quite well and am aware of how please they are with their engines. It's the weight factor that has me concerned; I think Seafari's tend to be bow heavy which may offset the 420+/- pound son engine, the deck in Trayder's hull has been raised plus the hull is very light, and Mark, I think, will be the first to say that what makes the 140 Suzuki viable on his modified 20 is the fact that he raised the deck.

An example of how good the 140 is. I fished with a friend from M'head last season. He has a 140 on the back of a 1975 22-2 Aquasport. Left Marblehead looking for SBFT's. Did the chase around the dump, the B and BF buoys, down to and well east of the H, worked back to the BF, and from there back to M'head @5,100-5,300 RPM (32mph+ on the GPS)just to blow it out a bit, all on 14.6 gal of gas.