25 seafari conversion to CC

[wgscott329]

I lucked into a 25 seafari for the right price to do a rebuild conversion. I know this is a debated hull for conversions and input is welcome, but she will be a CC.

[Xcomunic8d]

I suggest looking at the cg calculator. This hull likes weight forward. I was set I mean DEAD SET on OB conversion. The cg calculator and others convinced me it was not a good idea to get the performance I wanted. I never considered a cc here. They are really discouraged here. Somebody turned my boat into an ob. It had drain plugs everywhere. I figured out later water must have come in drains and caused lots of rot.

I miss the deck space already but I decided to embrace the design. Flexpat, cdavisb, and strick (who’s a 25 hater are experts on this hull. I’d start with flexpat and talk theory with him. Chuck, terry, and no bones are quite knowledgeable too. Those guys have actually discussed the design with the creator. They are a wealth of knowledge.

Flexpat and I decided on LS swaps. I started my LS before Volvo embraced it. I’m too far in to go back now. But he’s got plans on his current project to do much what I am but on a 23 using vp’s setup and I’m doing a bravo 3.

[wgscott329]

I appreciate the input! My father has a Bertram 20 with a volva penta duo prop engine and it runs great, but he spends more time on maintenance than he does boating. There is absolutely not a sliver of a chance that this boat is getting any kind of inboard engine.

[cdavisdb]

Outboard plus CC conversion will, for certain, create huge cg problems in that hull(I owned one). You will need a LOT of weight forward, pig iron, fuel tanks, batteries, fish boxes that will have to be kept full, whatever. Study up on cg and do the best calculation you can.

[Capt Chuck]

Originally Posted by cdavisdb

Outboard plus CC conversion will, for certain, create huge cg problems in that hull(I owned one). You will need a LOT of weight forward, pig iron, fuel tanks, batteries, fish boxes that will have to be kept full, whatever. Study up on cg and do the best calculation you can.

Yes!!! There's a reason Potter never produced a 25' CC. He told me one day " We just couldn't get it right"
You better think this conversion idea thoroughly..

[cdavisdb]

Just a suggestion:

The hull has such a good ride that you can put the steering station and console(and weight) much farther forward than a normal CC. The Seafari helm seat is in the middle of the boat. You could go a little farther forward than that.

If it still is very stern heavy, think very large tabs, custom fitted to the hull steps. Its been done at least twice and is surprisingly effective.

[strick]

25 Hater 😆

[wgscott329]

Y’all are so pessimistic about CCs lol she’s going to turn out great

[cdavisdb]

Good luck with it. If you can do it, it will be a first.

Be sure and read the threads on hull repairs. There were not enough bulkheads in the original build and that led to problems you can avoid.

[snook295]

Originally Posted by wgscott329

Y’all are so pessimistic about CCs lol she’s going to turn out great

Good luck with your project, post some pics and let us know how it goes. There's a 25' conversion project that's a bit ahead of you on THT for reference.

This hull responds well to trim tabs, absolutely necessary. Recommend zip wake interceptors if your budget can allow them.