restored 1976 Potter 18SF $12k

[pjzabo]

1976 Potter Built SeaCraft 18SF with low hours Suzuki 140 4 stroke

MUST SELL - losing storage, asking $7,900 with low hours Suzuki 140 4 stroke.

Very nice classic 18 foot SeaCraft with a big head start on restoration work. I have really enjoyed working on and using this efficient and sweet looking boat but just bought a bigger boat (2005 McKee 24). I love my 18SF but late season Blackfishing on the western Long Island Sound I wanted something a little bigger with more freeboard. Ideally I would keep both, but I think it better on the domestic front that I let the SeaCraft go at this point.

Since buying this boat from a good friend that owned a yard back in 2009, this is the work that has been done to it:

Boat
• Transom replaced and raised to accommodate a 25" shaft motor
• All original wiring replaced
• Gas tank replaced with a new aluminum 44 gallon tank (upgraded from original 30 gallon capacity)
• New twin batteries located forward in center console with selector switch in console (console also moved forward 6" to compensate for four stroke weight)
• Saltwater wash down installed with seacock
• Removed useless in floor livewell (that was not easy) Now have luxurious access to bilge
• Quality thru hull transducer installed
• Garmin mounted on console (easily removable for security)
• Ping pong scuppers installed in new transom and deck drain holes installed in corner of rear deck
• 2 new Johnson bilge pumps (gph capacity)
• New hull paint - AwlCraft Ice Blue with black bootstripe and fresh SeaCraft decals
• New last year - beautiful 32" Birdsall Marine leaning post with under seat storage and rod holders (have the original seat frame also)
• New Birdsall large tackle locker in port cubby area, new top hatches and hatch in starboard cubby area to replace old teak one and give access to fuel filter and washdown pump


Motor
Original motor was a very tired 115 Mercury Mariner running on 3 cylinders that was deep sixed when I bought the boat
New motor is a mix of what started as a 2007 short shaft DF140 that had lunched a valve. My friend is a Suzuki dealer and the previous owner of the motor took an insurance check to repower with another brand so my buddy was left with this core. It was a short shaft so we coupled it with a mid section from a 2004 DF115 long shaft donor he had lying around (yes it's all interchangeable), installed a brand new 25" shaft, and a new in the crate 140 powerhead. So the most important part of the motor I'm guessing has less than 100 hrs (possibly less than 80 hrs) on it in the two years I have used it (I imagine a Suzuki mechanic could confirm the hours as the little engine hour meter I had them add on the console only worked for about 4.8 hrs lol)
The motor runs great and moves the boat to 40 mph+ lightly loaded in calm seas. Cruises easy at 35 mph
Stainless steel 14/20 prop
I should mention that I did very slightly bend the skeg when touching a sand bar when I used the boat at the NJ shore for a week. It was a light touch and the Skeg is fully intact and there is no damage to lower end or prop (pics show this)

What should still be done to make this Potter Classic SeaCraft Perfect:
• Console needs to be patched and painted
• Deck and gunnels need to be painted
• Rear hatch that covered the live well should be redone, it has a soft spot, otherwise the floor is sound
• Bottom paint should be completely redone properly - there are several layers and it is time to soda blast, primer/barrier seal and start with a fresh coat.

For all the pictures you would want to see, go to: http://seacraft.shutterfly.com/

Includes a very good 5 year old trailer by MagicTilt