New member with a Seafari

[Reelized]

Well,here is my story.About 12 yrs ago I was going to buy a Seafari 20 but passed because of the I/O.So for the last 4 yrs everyday on the way to and from work I drive past a Seafari 20 sitting on the side of a barn.Finally got the nerve up and stopped.No one was around so I left a note.I get a call next night.I told him I was wondering about the boat,then the magic words were said "if you want the boat you can have it,but I want to sell the trailer"I told him I had a trailer."No problem you can still have the boat".Two weeks later in the snow and rain I'm blocking the boat and switching trailers.I'm a happy guy.
She's a 74 Seafari 20 I/O (engine and drive are gone).It has the galley seat with stove and sink original seat post and seat buckets.I found some brand new never installed canvas in the cabin(still folded up)He gave me some paper work and it has the original Seacraft warranty paper.So I see a bracket in my future and a Suzuki Dt 150 that's on my starcraft right now.But best of all it was FREE!.Now I just have to wait for the weather before I start.I'll post some more when the fun starts.Here's a bad cell phone pic.
Mike
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[Bushwacker]

Mike,

Welcome to the club! That's a terrific deal you got!! That '74 model has some nice features the earlier models don't have, like a raised windshield, a little more headroom in aft part of cabin, a raised cockpit sole, and a bigger gas tank. Those galley seats are pretty neat too - another clever Moesly invention that I've never seen in any other boat! I've used mine a lot and modified the plumbing to include a 12v pump that feeds the sink or a shower! Sound like it might even have the camper canvas that encloses the entire cockpit, so keep us posted on what you discover!

I'd strongly recommend the Hermco bracket - biggest flotation tank available and no worries about aluminum corrosion, and I believe the price has dropped quite a bit in the last year or so. You should be able to build a nice back seat and storage area where the old I/O was.

If you'll PM me with your email address, I can send you some .pdf files of a couple of factory brochures on the '69 and 72 models. Denny

[Reelized]

PM sent with my info thanks.I appreciate the info,I read that the 74 and up had some differences but not exactly what.As far as the bracket goes I'm planning on build my own out of fiberglass.I've been messing around on Auto-CAD with dimensions so I can have all my ducks in a row when I make the mold.To much experience in autobody work not to give it a shot.Definitely want a fair amount of flotation but unsure of a swim platform for fishing reasons.Also toying with the idea of flush mount LED lights on the bottom of the bracket for night fishing.I'll just have to see what my budget(wife)and time allow.
Mike

[cdavisdb]

Truly, lady fortune has smiled on you.

That must be the best all around 20 fter ever made. Great family boat, fishing/diving, rough water boat par excellance. I had one for years, abused it unmercifully, severely overloaded it, diving way offshore in all sorts of weather,. Nothing in its size class comes close. The only reason I don't have one now is size, but then, Potter made a 25 seafari just for me.

[Bushwacker]

. . . but unsure of a swim platform for fishing reasons. . .

I've actually found the platform pretty handy for fighting fish and climbing back there to keep line out prop! Talk to Strick and Bigshrimpin about making your own bracket! They've built a couple! Got your PM, reply sent.

Connor's right, you won't find a more versatile 20' boat! There isn't much it can't do. Have had mine almost 35 years and I'm still finding new stuff to do to it and with it! The 23 is more comfortable in rough water but much harder to trailer, so I would never had as many different adventures with with the bigger boat! Denny

[strick]

Thats a nice looking boat from the picture. Almost looks like a 25. Good Find!

strick