put My 25 on the chopping block?

[bilgerat]

been thinking about turning my 25 Seafari in to a center console, the closer I get to retirement the more Ive been wanting a big center console and seeing that I have a good hull that's already been coverted to outboards Ive been considering it. Ive spoken to My friend who runs a local fiberglass shop and he is gonna do some figuring and come up with a price to do the project. It will be a bare bones basic battlewagon to use for fishing and crusing. I know yall will think its a sin to cut up such a classic but shes been for sale for over 2 years and no offers so I figure what the hell.
any guesses on what hes gonna quote me?

[DonV]

Ya know Phil, this is where I would make a trip to your local Publix or CVS and get a tube of K-Y jelly. It may be needed!

[McGillicuddy]

I would definitely run that by Flying Time, Connor and Blue Heron and get some opinions before cutting. The sensitivity of the 25 hull's handling might be exacerbated by even more pushing weight aft. could send unexpecting folks swimming.

[Bushwacker]

Originally Posted by bilgerat

. . . I know yall will think its a sin to cut up such a classic but shes been for sale for over 2 years and no offers so I figure what the hell.
any guesses on what hes gonna quote me?

You're right, they only made a total of 80 25' Seafari's, so they are one of the rarest of all SeaCraft models! You probably need to advertise it in Florida - that's a great boat for Bahamas trips, but nobody on Lake Lanier will appreciate it's capabilities!

If you just want a bare bones big center console, there are lots of those around these days, probably for a lot less than what butchering this one will cost you, especially if you have to pay someone else to do the work!

[Ryan]

I see both sides to this. Owning a Seafari is a little depressing because once you've got one your pretty much stuck with it. seems like you have to give them away to get em sold. On the other hand, it's a great boat with a great layout. I can only imagine the 25 is a beast compared to my 20. A 25 cc would be pretty awesome though.
If you're gonna do it we will be excited to see it. I'd bet that it will cost you at least 15 k to convert it to a cc, hell probably more.
There are a few 27 cc out there that are probably a better deal

[FLexpat]

I think BigFluke made a CC out of a 25 - If I recall correctly he put the engine under the console with a jackshaft to a Weismann racing outdrive. He is a Naval Architect in HI so I suspect he got the balance right. Big Shrimpin probably knows a whole lot more about it.

[manitunc]

theres a 27 seacraft with twin 225 optis for sale in south florida for $16k. Could be run the way it is, or refurbished to make a really nice boat.

[bilgerat]

well so much for that idea. he quoted 18k to do it but didn't want to do it because it "wouldn't work" . He knows little about Seacraft hulls but said it would throw the COG off so bad that the boat would not perform the way it was originally designed and it would be a waist of money.
got a link for that 27?

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by bilgerat

well so much for that idea. he quoted 18k to do it but didn't want to do it because it "wouldn't work" . He knows little about Seacraft hulls but said it would throw the COG off so bad that the boat would not perform the way it was originally designed and it would be a waist of money.
got a link for that 27?

I would be scared to lighten up a 25 due to stability issue based on the total deadrise of the hull. Its already a "Drivers" boat that takes a lot to get used to and appreciate. I imagine a lighter version with changed COG could be limiting. If it was a 30+' hull I would be all for it.

[bilgerat]

think I found the 27 on CL if its the black one , might have to take a road trip and check it out.