Ms. MAK 20SF

slowJEEP · #1 04-30-2013, 07:41 AM

I picked up my first SeaCraft the other day. I'm up in the panhandle of Florida and drove about 1400 miles round trip to Hobe Sound in south Florida. I asked the dude what the deal was with all of the raven stickers and he said he liked ravens...

The hull was re-gel coated two owners ago and the topside got a second coat of Awlgrip non-skid from the last owner. New fuel tank and hoses and it is sitting on a way too big float-on trailer.

The Jeep wasn't thrilled about pulling it but fortunately most of Florida is flat.

It was supposed to be a 1978 but after getting it home and actually looking at the title and HIN, it is an 88'. I was dissapointed that it wasn't a Potter hull but I really like the 25" transom and the scuppers that run out the back instead of through the floor.

It came with a carb'd 150 Mercury that had no known issues. They disabled the oil injection and ran 50:1 premix so now it goes through spark plugs a little faster. On the ride home, I noticed that there was a big crack in the foot. It is totally shot so I bought one from a dude on the screamandfly forum.

I can't remember the justification but, I decided I needed a 175 Optimax. Same weight, roughly, a little bit more horse pressure and much better economy. I sold the 03' 40hp 4 stroke efi off of my skiff for 3k and found a 2001 Opti a few hours away for the same price!

So off came the 150

I was too cheap to buy a mercury specific lift ring and thought about getting a 1 1/2-16 bolt and welding something up but those threads aren't common and the optimax has a proud flywheel bolt that would require hollowing out the bolt. So, I spent a few hours of my precious time fabbing a bracket. All to save 45 bucks...(35 on ebay)

The little cosmetic aluminum plate on the transom was cracked so I pulled it off and found what I thought was a terrible repair job. Looking closer it looks like filler that the factory put at the hull and liner junction. I chipped some out and was pleased to find happy composites. Thoughts?

Unless the 150 sells in a few days, I'm going to stick with the cable steering and no jackplate.

I don't dig how these short little boats look with a bracket so I was thinking of running a 6" setback jackplate and building an engine cover like the one below. The setback would allow for full tilt/jack whilst the cover is in place without the cover having to excessively protrude into the cockpit.

I think the covers take some getting used to but seems like a good way to quiet down the opti and provide a work surface all while closing in the transom.

ct9amr · #2 04-30-2013, 10:51 AM

I love the Jackplate on my 23ft. The boat is so much more versatile for inshore and offshore.
Moving it up to run offshore also helps the MPG's a little as well.

mrobertson · #3 04-30-2013, 11:13 AM

I'm not 100% sure, but i don't think an original 1988 Tracker SC would have the vents in the hull.

My 1989 20 SC does not have vents.

slowJEEP · #4 04-30-2013, 11:36 AM

Glen - I have a jackplate on my skiff and couldn't live without it. I'm hoping it'll be as useful on this boat.

MrRob - Think they were added in? I kind of expected a SeaCraft logo in that spot. Keeps the bildge a little drier perhaps. Or wetter if it's listing...

RUSTYNTABATHA · #5 04-30-2013, 05:11 PM

Congrats on the SeaCraft and what are you asking for the 150.. Keep your eye peeled for a gulfcoast meet up too..

slowJEEP · #6 04-30-2013, 10:03 PM

2k on the 150 once I get a good foot on it.

Glen - What make jack plate are you running on your 23?

My buddy is trying to sell me his Paralift. At about a foot, the setback is a little excessive but it'd get me jackin for half the price of a new one from Bob's.

ct9amr · #7 05-01-2013, 02:17 PM

Mine is a Bob's jackplate since I live in the same area they are made and sold.
It is great piece and I recommend it. I also have the boarding latter attachment for shallow water.

Mikem8560 · #8 05-01-2013, 07:19 PM

my 82 hAS VENTS but I thought my transom was wood core? I sold mt 93 evinrude 150 in 4 days last week $1000

slowJEEP · #9 05-02-2013, 07:46 AM

Glen - I think I'd go with Bob's if I had my choice. My skiff plate is a Bob's and it's done me well.

Mikem - I think mine is wood core too. Why the ? I was originally thinking I could get 950-1000 for my 150 but if you don't ask, you won't get, so I listed it higher.

slowJEEP · #10 05-09-2013, 10:29 AM

Sold the 150 for 700 after I discovered that one of the cylinders had 0 psi of compression. Lesson learned: always do a compression check. Hopefully not too late since the 175 I just bought hasn't been tested. Fingers are crossed.

I picked up a 3 blade 14x19 Stilletto yesterday for 75 bucks off of Craigslist. I expect the boat will need a little bit more prop than that but figured it was a good start since I see a lot of people running them on here. Any thougts on a 175 with 19" of pitch?

I'm gonna order the Sea Star HK7400 hydraulic steering once I verify that them Opti has good compression.