1977 20' sf

[Old'sCool]

Just a recap and catch up now that we have the site back.

Sold my 23' in July '21 after 16 years. That was a great boat but I wanted to downsize. I really wanted the MA but found this '77 20' SF about an hour away. The owner had re-powered with a 115 Yamaha SHO recently and then found out he was transferring to Hawaii. Needless to say it's expensive to transport a boat there from SC. I sold the engine with 30 something hours ad warranty left and began tear down. I farmed out the glass work but do everything else. Raised the deck, moved the fuel tank forward to the casting platform, raised the transom to ~27", re-cored the cap. The only wood left is hatches and they're fine so everything else is coosa. One inch for deck, two for transom, and 1/2 under cap. 46 gal 3/16" aluminum tank. I found a used Frigid Rigid tackle center/cooler combo in NC and will run that as leaning post. I made an aluminum frame to raise it up, had that powder coated, and had pipework made. Waiting on seat cushion now. I like neat wiring and finished it today. Ready for power and I think I found a VF150 Yamaha SHO about an hour away. Local dealers, if they respond back, are saying Oct time frame if they order today so I hope this one works out.


As purchased


As purchased

Out with the old tank

Two 1" pieces of coosa with glass between. Final thickness is 2-7/16"

Fuel tank coffin bottom is 1/2" coosa

[Old'sCool]

1" coosa pads for thru-hull ducer and pickup


Small center knee, stringers raised and foam filled.


Deck is out to hull sides. I may cut later to make like a 3 piece boat.

1/2" coosa under cap.

Assembling tank

[Old'sCool]

Neoprene strips under tank held with 5200


Tank in. Large bilge access.

I kept the small jump seats and splashwell. Splashwell drain is brass tube. I'll complete the deck drains once engine is on.



I wanted a smaller console footprint but taller. C&M glass in Fla made this one. I cut 3-1/2" off the bottom and had insides reinforces with more glass to support openings.


Mounted console with aluminum angle and have teak covers for outside.

[Old'sCool]

Used Garmin 10" and Furuno 585 to Airmar thru-hull.



Wiring is complete except for Lenco tabs. I have the switch mounted but not the plates yet.


Everything appears to work LOL. I plan to run a hardtop t-top and will mount the all around/anchor white there.




The guy that made the backrest will make the top also

[DonV]

Very cool! 😂 I mean very nice, coming along quite well! Good move on the 25 - 27” transom! Had an old tarpon fishing buddy that had one of these with a 20” transom he bought new and that was his only major complaint about the boat. One of my first experiences with a SeaCraft. Things you remember after 35 years! Good luck!

[Strick]

That’s gonna be a nice skiff. What did you coat the tank with?

Strick

[Old'sCool]

That’s gonna be a nice skiff. What did you coat the tank with?

Strick

Thanks! Speedytanks (Atlantic Coastal Welding) coats it in an epoxy as part of the purchase.

[Old'sCool]

Still very much a WIP but got 3 1/2 hrs now. Supposed to take it to the t top shop Monday. I've decided on a Key West style soft top. I had a nightmare about the hard top weight so scratch that. Satisfied with the engine height but not yet on the prop. Engine is 2nd hole up on 27" transom. Used Furuno unit is giving me trouble and the new Airmar B 60 temp output doesn't work. They are supposed to warranty it. I'll get a total rig weight after the top install. Performance and hole shot are good. That's with 1/2 fuel and 160# me. 46 mph WOT. I'm probably going to get the Powertech 17P 4 blade based on Prop God recommendation. Still need to figure deck drains. The economy at 4500 rpm says 4.5X nmpg.

[deerfly]

looks great, well done on all counts. - eric