Let's talk hulls

[Krispy]

Thanks for heads up CS. I will be removing the forward cuddy section. Originally the tank sat directly ahead (6") of the i/o, adding alot of weight to the stern of the boat. The new tank position will be more amidships, but still a good 2-2.5ft forward of the old location.
Will the 38gal be sufficient for a 130-150hp o/b? Its in excellent condition, so Id like to reuse it if it makes sense.

[Mr. Sandman]

You might consider doing a few hydrostatic calculations to determine what the static trim will be for various tank/engine sizes and loctaions.

[Pete_G]

I've spent a lot of time in the 18 Parker. It pounds in chop. Not much deadrise and it just does NOT like the chop kicked up by an afternoon sea breeze off RI.

Safe boat and we always get where we're going, often we get wet though. Incredily fuel effecient and fast (on flat water) with the 115 Yamaha, but how often is it flat off RI?

Deep V or at least semi all the way, unless you like being sent running for cover every time the sea breeze kicks up.

[Rip Runner]

You have to ride in a 23 Seacraft to appreciate it. I completely restored this boat with my father and now do custom charters out of it for smaller groups or specialty fishing we might not do on the Blackfin.

The straight inboards ride even better than the outboards, but they are not as fast. I took the wing curtains off this year because I never need them.

[capesams]

Originally Posted by Rip Runner

You have to ride in a 23 Seacraft to appreciate it. I completely restored this boat with my father and now do custom charters out of it for smaller groups or specialty fishing we might not do on the Blackfin.

The straight inboards ride even better than the outboards, but they are not as fast. I took the wing curtains off this year because I never need them.

very very nice job done on restoring her....clean line's....what year is she?

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Rip Runner

The straight inboards ride even better than the outboards, but they are not as fast. I took the wing curtains off this year because I never need them.

Captain Chet from Noreast Charters said the 23 SC was the best fiberglass boat in that size class you could own for Buzzards Bay fishing

[numbskull]

I owned a 20' seacraft superfisherman center console, built 1986, bought lightly used. Had it for 6-8 years. I loved it, used it hard, but it was NOT a well built boat by any stretch. It eventually fell apart from rot in the deck and transom (the center console also tore free once running at night to Nantucket). Sank because of the notorious plexiglas access plate in the splashwell. Cracked my hull once hauling it as well. It was powered with an Ocean Pro 150 hp engine and would do 25-27 kts tops, cruised closer to 21 -22 (with the right prop). Not real fuel efficent. Had a 75 gallon fuel tank and I often burned 30+ gallons in a day's fishing (60-75 nautical miles) Needed a low pitch prop to avoid cavitation in rough seas. Hard for me to believe guys run their's with 115's. I suspect many of those are actually old 19 footers which also exist. Mine needed trim tabs big time though I never put them on. It was a decent sea boat, but much less so than the heavier 21 ft Regulator I replaced it with (which is a boxier, uglier but higher freeboard affair). Not real comfortable once it blew more than 15 Kts where I fish (vineyard sound). Wasn't very dry either (although tabs would've helped) Very tippy boat, two people in the same spot roll it way over and two in the stern brought water in the scuppers. I had to move the batteries out of the stern and into the console just so I could stand back there myself. Maybe the older pre 73 boats were better, but most of them must have serious rot issues. There is a lot of info on the net about rebuilding them, but if you go that route I'd look for an old heavier built one. All that said, it was a great one man fishing design and, even though I own a much better boat now, I miss it.

[JohnR]

Numbskull - that was one of the later owners, CSY, though they were well regarded too. The Potter hulls, 68 to 79, and the more rare Mosely hulls, pre 68, are typically the more sought after. Of course they all need work now that they are old and they can all build a poor boat from time to time.

Exhibit A - the 1999 or so 25 seacrafts which nearly shake a part, voids in the glass, lack of stringers extending all the way back. In fact, by your description, it sounded like a Tracker Seacraft 25

[capesams]

up to the year 83 or 85 was the last year for the good hull's..co. got sold and they went down the tube's.

[zacs]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Captain Chet from Noreast Charters said the 23 SC was the best fiberglass boat in that size class you could own for Buzzards Bay fishing

Regulator 23 will run circles around 23 SC on Buzzards bay in 2-3ft slop. I have fished both, on buzzards bay for that matter, and there is a big difference.

[Pete_G]

Originally Posted by zacs

Regulator 23 will run circles around 23 SC on Buzzards bay in 2-3ft slop. I have fished both, on buzzards bay for that matter, and there is a big difference.

Motion seconded.

I'll take the additional roll that a true deep V causes anyday over having my kidneys re-arranged or being forced to dramatically slow down to deal with chop.

The Regulator deep V of the 23 and 24 almost makes 2 to 3 foot chop disappear.

[Krispy]

Damn, you guys are some players..
All I know is guys like me, dont have $85k for a new 23' Regulator/Seacraft or even $50k for 20' SC/Contender, and are limited to good deals, used boats and some elbow grease to get a good riding hull.
You might as well be talking Ferrari vs Lamborghini
So how bout we debate an 1980 SC vs 1973 Seabird vs 1984 Mako vs 1990 Parker
Real world projects for everyday people
Which are the best riding boats, pre 1988?

[Rip Runner]

Originally Posted by zacs

Regulator 23 will run circles around 23 SC on Buzzards bay in 2-3ft slop. I have fished both, on buzzards bay for that matter, and there is a big difference.

Zacs, it's a little apples to oranges because of the drive system, but I'll put a 23 Seacraft straight inboard up against any boat in it's size range when the weather turns nasty.

Next time we have a sporty day say 4-6's I'll do a side by side comparison with you.

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by zacs

Regulator 23 will run circles around 23 SC on Buzzards bay in 2-3ft slop. I have fished both, on buzzards bay for that matter, and there is a big difference.

My point is that some of the BB/Cutty guides like him - in the day - preffered the 23SC as the best glass guide boat.

They didn't have 23 Regulators back then, and you'd be real hard pressed to find a 23' Regulator today that could be bought and fished for less than 15K.

[zacs]

Originally Posted by JohnR

My point is that some of the BB/Cutty guides like him - in the day - preffered the 23SC as the best glass guide boat.

They didn't have 23 Regulators back then, and you'd be real hard pressed to find a 23' Regulator today that could be bought and fished for less than 15K.

very true. i didn't realize we were talkin back in the day.

but for the record, you could get in a nice used regulator for around 35K.
i would like to see any good 23 ft boat you can buy turn key for 15K. seacraft, mako, parker, aquasport, seabird, whatever...

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by Rip Runner

You have to ride in a 23 Seacraft to appreciate it. I completely restored this boat with my father and now do custom charters out of it for smaller groups or specialty fishing we might not do on the Blackfin.

The straight inboards ride even better than the outboards, but they are not as fast. I took the wing curtains off this year because I never need them.

Awesome job, how many hours into it?
I would love to find one to take a long project on.
While I fish my Maritime 2090 of course.


Bill

[capesams]

U should get some good mileage out of that tank....I had a 30gal in my old 20' ox with a 150 yam on it...all day on the water an no worries getting home..corse I'm not known to be a speed demon either so milage may differ with who's behind the wheel...A friend has a 1973 20' cc sc. with a 150...with him it's dead stop or all out...reguardless of sea conditions....one sob to ride with..but we/re still both here.