Yes originally it would have had up to twin merc 255hp based on the 351W for about 500hp before accessories. My earlier goal was to build a Ls making around 500hp. However, I’m probably going to be limited to 450 for now unless I swap an intake, stroke to 383, or supercharge it.

i was hoping to get dual performance out of it without the initial cost, upkeep, and weight. Somebody along the line swapped it to a 200. I can only imagine what a dog that must’ve been. The deep v soaks up the power. I may buy a kicker as a backup but don’t expect to need it.

I was debating real hard building a 383 when I got this 5,3 for free. kinda wished I’d had a 454 to stroke to 496 or 502 or even a 6.0 but I’m sure this will work. Calculators state Hooked up to bravo 3 should get 60. I’ll be ok as long as I get there at max and the boat rides as designed. But I will say, I’m going to miss the deck space. It was huge with that outboard but just not how Carl Mosely designed her. But I have plans for that area…

WOW! Great progress. I love that you have the slave labor working hands on with you! You don't see that enough these days.

Wow for sure .
It may seem like an insignificant point but after all those years of abuse it's amazing that the windscreen was not damaged or the bow rail bent up .
Is it true that termites are a really serious problem in Hawaii ? We have our issues with them here as well but they rarely get into boats for some reason .

Ty my son is learning and we are making memories. He’s thinking about being a tradesman so might as well start now. He’s the XO and one day the boat will be his… I hope this will be in the family a long time. At least until we can afford a bigger one😂

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bad… they grow wings and swarm in spring after “cold” months around may-June. After dark they will coat all lights. They will mate, shed wings, and tear up your stuff until the next spring when they multiply again. Houses have termite inspections, tenting, and as you saw not even the boat was safe. That’s why I used thermolite (Aussie version of coosa). I’m not sure on the boat. I think I’m one of the few guys I know of. But the wood just wasn’t sealed well and you asking for trouble here.

the glass was good on the 4 squares out front but the side portlights and side triangles are plexiglass and must be replaced. The bow rail is good but the tees and feet need replaced on bow rail. They were just plated something and not true stainless. But the rail is stainless and polished up nicely. The aluminum frames were scratched and had scrapes or gouges in them. I couldn’t get them out. So I primed with rust oleum aluminum primer and then painted with aluminum paint they seem to be holding up well.

E komo mai! Great work...your photographs are evidence of the perseverance and your passion for boating. Hawaii is a tough place to own a boat and, I am sure you know, is where boats go to die. I had my Sunsation 32' MCOB and my Donzi 16' Classic here for years. I shipped them both back to the Mainland because they are were too difficult to maintain here. The Sunsation was completely repowered and repainted and now lives in my shop at LOTO and the Donzi was sold to a good home. I live on a sailboat on Oahu now and try to do most of the maintenance myself. I am assuming you are on Maui? If you get over to Oahu PM me and we will meet up and talk story about boats.

howzit, bruddah. Shoots been all kine pilikia. Hilo side, BI.

I bought this when fresh off boat moving here. I know now. I got so many guys ask for help…it’s nuts.

Wishing you fair winds, following seas, tight lines, and bloody decks

Wonderful to see you save one of the most impressive boats in its size. Those 25 Seafari are rare. However the founder, and ex. owner, of the Navatek Ltd. yard in Honolulu, Steve Loui owned at least

3 Seafari 25 10 years ago. One he converted to a center console. He was playing with stabilizers and the 'Sea Blade' designs of Lorne Campbell to create a hull that could take on the worst sea conditions.

Your boat might be one of his ex. 25s? He retired and sold his yard in 2012 from what I heard and you might want to check with him to have a few words about the Seafari 25s or maybe acquire one of his

boats. The fellow that bought the yard from him did fraud on Covid-19 relief money and cheated the employees so the situation there is probably a mess. Well, Steve is a good guy and did business with

the founder of Scarab, Larry Smith, and the U.S. Navy. I don't have Steve's number but I have a feeling you should be able to get hold of him and enjoy exchanging boat experiences. Look forward following

the restoration of your gem.

Link to Seacraft boats' info: https://www.thehulltruth.com/5865834-post2.html


These are three of the many crafts that were the result of this project where the Seafari 25 and the BladeRunner 35/51 contributed to design research.

Cool project. Awesome skills restoring the boat -hats off to you. That said, I have to ask the obvious question. Why are you posting the restoration of a 25' fishing boat on a high performance boating site? This is akin to posting a delivery van restore on a Corvette site. I don't get it?

This is a very polite margin call of yours. However, imho I do believe this forum has some room for a resto of a Sea Craft classic race boat derived model, especially since it's going to have plenty of horsepowers and stay offshore. Would the TheHulltruth or Bloody Decks forums be an even better fit? Sure they would be, but then I often ask myself; what do these 25'-35' twin outboard flashy custom cats or 30' high-performance family deck boats do on Offshore Only? I say, kick back by the lake and enjoy this handy, fellow boater show us that a Seafari 25 might not win a race with a Donzi 38 offshore, but certainly would leave most custom cats, deck boats, and Offshoreonly members boats behind at the breakwater, and head into the swells at both great speed and with astounding seaworthiness.

Karl Mosely winning the 1967 Miami-Nassau offshore race in the Sea Craft 25 prototype. I bet they could have stopped at a reef and caught a fish or two, and still won by a margin.

Got that, but must admit I did watch all the videos. I'm sure it will not run triple digits, but WTF a boat is a boat is a boat. We all love them and spend stupid money on them.

It snowed here over the weekend, This project is a welcome diversion!

P,S, Love seeing your son involved in your project. My best days boating were with Christopher glued to my side. nothing in life will ever replace that time spent together.