The Original Classic, the SeaCraft 21!

[Bushwacker]

This is the boat that started it all, the first one with Carl Moesly's patented Variable Deadrise Hull. You'll recognize this specific hull shape in the Patent Disclosure; it's the one that was raced with great success in the outboard division of the Offshore Power Boat Association races such as the Bahamas 500, Miami-Nassau, etc.

Had these old photos from some Bahama trips over at the Anclote gathering, but thought the rest of the gang might enjoy looking at them.

This particular example, the "Unohu", belonged to a good friend of mine who bought it new in 1965. He's an avid diver and used to dive 2 tanks Sat. & Sunday virtually ever weekend of the year, in addition to a couple of Bahama trips. Did this for over 25 years! I was fortunate enough to follow him on 6 trips to the Abaco's in my Seafari. He's now 84 but still dives, and went after lobster during last week's mini-season! Around here all diving is float diving due to current, so the engine is running all the time and he literally wore out several engines. Original power was a 6 cyl Chev/150hp Mercruiser (when they were painted white!); later replaced by a 165 hp 6 cyl, and then a 250 hp V-8 which it had when these pictures were taken in late 70's. It had a 270hp Volvo outdrive when he sold it in '92 to a fellow up in Melbourne area. These early boats had no foam in them, so the Unohu had tons of storage, even with 2 50 gal fuel tanks under the deck. It was the best riding boat I've ever been in, although it tended to be a little wet. At Anclote Mr. Moesly told me that it was purposely designed with very little dynamic lift (which spray rails create). He said he designed it to cut thru the waves "because you don't make much forward progress if there is a lot of vertical motion!"
Note serious swim platform; they're most effective if mounted at right at waterline; most are mounted too high!
That's the owner climbing over transom in this shot. Note how many divers this boat can comfortably accomodate!
Cabin layout is very clever, with plenty of headroom - there is no bulkhead; the 7' long bunks extend out underneath dash panel, so you sit with feet under dash on top of bunk. Sliding hatch provides access to front deck, front edge raises up to form an air scoop when anchored, similar to Seafari.
The Unohu did not have trim tabs for a long time; owner just moved gear/crew around to balance, or in this case, roll it away from the waves. Just a few degrees of tilt increases deadrise relative to waves, makes a BIG difference in ride. Notice that everyone rides sitting down in this boat! Can't do that without a really soft ride!

[Capt Chuck]

Denny

Thanks for posting for other CSC members to see. Great explanation of "Turing into the waves" thus utilizing the VDH

[nestorpr]

I wonder if this is the nice white and blue 1963 22' on sale in St. Augustine in the Boat Trader?

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/6/8/88950668.htm

[Bushwacker]

Different boat, and it's a 21, not 22, although my friend described the Unohu as the "worlds biggest 21 footer", which it most definitely was! Looks to be the same color combo as the hull Skip & Carla have. Last engine in the Unohu was a raw water cooled 350 Chev/Volvo drive, did not have a bow rail and hull was a different color. It was a display model from the Miami boat show with more options than what my friend had originally ordered. Mr. Moesly called and offered to sell him the display model in lieu of original order because he had about a 10 month backlog of orders! Word of the 21's racing success must have spread rapidly!

I believe these models had wood stringers, so if this one has soft floors and transom, it may need more work than advertized. Still a very rare model that's definitely worth restoring - a true classic that IMHO is the best designed SeaCraft ever built!

[65Bowrider]

Ok Denny, you know I'm going to chime in on this one,
More 21 photos.... the original catalog with Carl & Jeanne


A 21 racing, Moesly in his "My Flying Machine" in an ocean race.


And then my 1962 21 footer


I'll need all the CSC experts for this one... including but not limited to Strick, NoBones, and many more...
I'll supply all the steak, shrimp & beer! When finished, we'll all celebrate with a vacation/test trial in the Florida keys!

[Rich]

Carla,

How many of the 21's were ever made? And how many sold to the general public?

[Snookerd]

Carla-
Count me in on the 21 refurb. I still plan to help you guys on that piece of history. That boat will run strong once again...........

[NoBones]

Carla-
Count me in on the 21 refurb. I still plan to help you guys on that piece of history. That boat will run strong once again...........

Well Danny, Make plans to come to the "NoBones Jungle ReHab
Facility" We plan to do a group redo on the Sceptre
and Skip and Carla's 21 at the same time. I think Patti and I have enough room for all that want to participate....
See ya, Ken

[Capt Chuck]

That trailer has got to go!!

The ole 21 will sit tight on my 23's trailer for the drive north. Let me know when ya want it

[NoBones]

That trailer has got to go!!

The ole 21 will sit tight on my 23's trailer for the drive north. Let me know when ya want it

Tomorrow is OK with me.
Shoot Chuck, that trailer has got to be original too.