Kev's 1973 20' SF

[kedwards33916]

Hello, my name is Kevin. Long time lurker, first time poster. I currently live in Fort Myers FL and enjoy fishing the waters of SW FL from Charlotte Harbor to Estero bay.

About 11 years ago, I was searching for various center console boats, to buy in the 20-22’ range for back bay and nearshore fishing. The lines and sleekness of the 20’ SeaCraft kept catching my eye. After a few searches trying to find out more about SeaCraft, I found the Classic Sea Craft site. I love this site for its information and the personalities that contribute to its wealth of knowledge. By reading the rebuild posts, I got to see the insides and compositions of many SeaCraft models from various years. A few of my favorite threads include Stick’s: “Here we go again” and Caymanboy’s: “1972 SeaCraft 20sf (re) build.” Really all of the rebuilds posted on this site gave me the courage to go after an older SeaCraft. In 2009, I bought a 1973 20’ SeaCraft from Treasure Island Florida. I’ll never forget dragging it toward home, over the Skyway Bridge.

It had dings, scratches and soft spots in the floor and transom. I fished it for almost four years, all the while thinking about what I’d do to it if I ever decided to tear it apart. On new year’s day of 2013, after idling out from the ramp to a normal operation speed zone, the ole’ 150 flooded out as I hammed down to get on plane. While waiting it out for 2 hours, not quite sure of what happened at the time, I decided that I would not run her again until I rebuild her.

My opinions and thoughts for anyone thinking about a rebuild.
Don’t be in a hurry. Study the rebuild posts then budget and plan ahead. Think safety and “every time” use your eye, skin (gloves), hearing and lung (reparatory) protection. I do not have a garage or shop. I have a tent-like carport. I would not attempt this process again without a concrete floor and four walls to protect my work from the elements. An ounce of prevention is greater than a pound of cure. Try to clean and reuse rollers as much as possible, don’t bang them around or else they break.

The rebuild posts do not show the amount of planning and work from one picture to the next. The subtle differences from one pic to the next may have taken several hours or days to get there. Don’t fool yourself into thinking it will be easy. I think the guys who make a living at grinding glass deserve every penny they charge for. Its messy, sticky, itchy, terribly time consuming, aggravating work, its hard WORK! Finish what you start. Research the term and idea behind “potter putty”. My homemade fairing compound, was a beast to sand, lol, nothing fair about it. Store bought fairing compound is probably the way to go. I sprayed gel and would probably fair, prime, paint, given the chance to do it again.
Right or wrong, this is how I did it. Please seek advice from the masters of this site, over what you see in my pictures. I did things the way I could live with, given my ability to produce the outcome I sought. I’m not a professional glass layer or boat builder. I try to follow directions and learn by the examples I’ve seen in other’s work. I hope that she holds together for many years, if not, I have only myself to blame.

I did have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Don Herman. I wish that I lived closer, so that I could stop by to see him, hear his stories and pick his brain on stuff more often. I proudly tout his craftsmanship in the bracket, which he built by hand. Indeed, Mr. Herman’s bracket is one of the finest elements of the boat. Going to get the bracket was one of the days that I looked forward to the most. The other day that I most looked forward to, was when I hauled the boat about 3 hours, over the Skyway there and back, to get the motor and its first sea trial.

I have pushed this boat into Boca Grande pass, in conditions where you could not see any other boats out, to take a beating, to try and flush out any weak points and then find stress cracks. I have found two areas that I’ll watch and correct this winter. Other than the two small areas with hairline cracked gel, she seems to be holding together okay so far.

The 17P four blade is probably too much prop, but I can hit max rpm while jacked and trimmed up. The water pressure sensor we added, makes sure she keeps picking up water. One day I’ll drop her down to a 15p four blade or try a three blade 17p, especially when I start adding weight, T-Top, power poles etc.. For now I’m happy at 48mph top end and smooth holeshots at the low end. One of these days I’ll note the planning speed and economy at cruise and post the stats.

On the hotter side of the day, my fiancé loves to sit on the bracket with her feet in the water while she fishes live bait. Once, she hooked up on a big fish, she regretted it because she missed that fish and almost went water skiing!

We’re loving our "new" boat and look forward to going out every chance we get. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the Classic Seacraft site. You all have given me and probably countless others, the courage to start and complete the rebuild.

I owe the best parts of my build to you all.

[kedwards33916]

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