1974 SeaCraft 23' SF

[gtrkev]

I just picked up this 1974 23' SeaCraft on Monday... I'm lovin' it!!!

[DonV]

Congrats!!! I bet you are stoked!!

Not sure of your HP, however KMoose gets real good numbers with his 250 Zuke.

Good luck!! And keep the pics coming

[gtrkev]

It came with a 250 HP Zuke, which runs real smooth and silent at idle, dead silent. I'm gonna get it checked out to see how many hours are on it and if any major problems are apparent. It sure doesn't sound or feel like it... smooooth.
If there are some major repairs needed, I may pull the 225 Zuke from my 21b Mako.
By feel, the SeaCraft with the 250 goes about 10% faster than my 21 Mako with the 225 Zuke. The Mako goes 40-41 by GPS. So that would be about 44-45, which seems about right from what others have posted. I've only been out on the SeaCraft once so far. This week I'll hook up the GPS and post some real numbers. But it goes faster than I need to go, for sure. Well, at least until I get used to it.

The inside liner was removed from this boat (making it lighter) by the previous owner and he raised the floor 6" to make it a flat floor, front to back. Very Cool!

Kevin

[nate22]

Hi gtrkev nice looking SeaCraft, be sure to post more pictures of it when you get a chance. How does the boat seat in the water with the Zuke? were is your water line? Im thinking about going 4t but am worried about the addition weight.

[gtrkev]

This SeaCraft has no problem with the waterline as the floor has been raised, so the water is below the scuppers. It's self bailing for sure. However, this boat has had the floor raised. In my Mako 21B I had concerns going from 225 2S Evinrude to 225 Zuke 4S. When I put the 4Stroke on the Mako, I did not like that the boat sat about 1" lower at the stern than it did before. It was still self bailing, but too close for me. If 2 people went to the back corner, water would come in (but 1 person was OK). So after giving it MUCH thought, I came up with a solution that worked really, really great. I put 3 bags of sand in the anchor locker in the very front of the boat. The boat evened out and sits about 3/4 inch lower at midship, but now only 1/2" lower at the stern than with the 2-Stroke. So now 2 people can stand in a back corner without taking on water through the scuppers AND, the boat takes waves head on MUCH better than before. Hope the numbers help you decide. I am WAY happier with the 4-stroke eninge. For almost zero smoke, practically zero noise and way better gas consumption. Win-Win-Win. The trade off that my Mako sits 3/4" lower mid-ship and takes waves better is OK with me. For my SeaCraft, there was no trade-off and the Suzuki runs great.

[gtrkev]

I am actually putting in a new gas tank on the 23 SeaCraft right now (replacing what looks to be the original) and having the center console moved back toward the stern about 1 foot (to it's original factory location). That's another way to offset the greater engine weight (as the last owner of this SeaCraft did), you can slide your center console forward. The difference between 2S and 4S is usually about 200lbs. So you can have someone stand in the back or put 200lbs in the back of your boat, and that's about how it will be. I do have to say, the steering did change with the heavier engine. But if you add weight to the back of your boat to test (Plastic Trash Can(s) full of water maybe), you will be able to test how the boat manuvers before putting the 4S back there.

[gtrkev]

Unfortunately, there was quite a bit or water being stored up under the gas tank. The area under the new gas tank will have a drain installed, to let the water out.

[seacraftks]

Great boat have fun with your new install

[DonV]

gtrkev,

I moved your thread to the repairs/mods section. Keep us updated on your progress and don't forget pictures! Good luck!

DonV

[uncleboo]

Originally Posted by gtrkev

It came with a 250 HP Zuke, which runs real smooth and silent at idle, dead silent. I'm gonna get it checked out to see how many hours are on it and if any major problems are apparent. It sure doesn't sound or feel like it... smooooth.


Kevin

I have a zuke 140 4s and it is smooth and quiet as a mouse at idle. If the gauges show good readings, run the pee out of it. Sometimes I have to turn my ear to the stern to make sure it's running! Good luck with it.