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Aloha! new Member
Aloha All,
I’ve joined recently and wanted to introduce myself. I bought a boat a few years back. Been around water my whole life but time to get a good size boat and go deep sea fishing. My buddies got me hooked out here on their 17’ alii Kai we go 15-20 miles out. They can’t wait for me to get mine done. I bought a 73 Seacraft Seafari 25 turned out the deeper I dug the worse it got. Did a full restoration, I’m almost done. Transom, bulkheads, paint, wiring… surprisingly the stringers were ok. I’m currently building a LS for it. and rebuilding a Bravo 3 for it. when I got it somebody diy’ed a bracket out of 2x10’s and put a suzuki 200 2stroke on it. It’s doa. I’m going back to more of a factory setup. im a serious woodworker (trying to start a side business), mechanic, and electrician. I also worked in trucking for a number of years. thanks and noticed lots of knowledgeable people on here. Looking forward to learning as much as I can from you guys. |
Welcome to OSO!!!!! Sounds like quite the project.
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Thanks griff. It was a surprise for sure. Wish I could post pics…
it’s a labor of love now. |
Welcome!
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Welcome, and you should be able to post pics now. Have to have 10 post and your at 12
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Originally Posted by Xcomunic8d
(Post 4813092)
Thanks griff. It was a surprise for sure. Wish I could post pics…
it’s a labor of love now. |
Lots of work has been going on. Looks good
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Wow...talk about perseverance!!
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Welcome! I have been working on my boat all year. Seemed like a lot of work until I see what a project you've been working on! Looks good! Looks like it was setup for twin engines. Are you just using a single?
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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.
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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😂
Originally Posted by madbouyz
(Post 4813247)
Wow for sure .
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 . 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.
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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. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f44539faf0.jpg |
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?
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Offshoreonly should be fairly inclusive...
Originally Posted by Marginmn
(Post 4813622)
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?
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. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d37b57b535.jpg |
Originally Posted by Marginmn
(Post 4813622)
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?
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. |
Originally Posted by larslindroth
(Post 4813655)
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. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d37b57b535.jpg |
Wow I get busy at work and I miss a lot. I did end up with a truck load of Koa wood though. I’m a member of tht and classicseacraft. Tht is not really the place for a classic restoration with IO’s.
I’ve heard of Navatek. He’s a member of classicseacraft and just rolled out some new boat. Not sure who is running it or what, though. As far as my boat, I can’t find a link to him or anyone beyond the person I got it from. The PO is a local guy. His son has some commercial boats locally. My boat was acquired from Maui and came here. I’m at the farthest point of the island chain from Oahu (towards LA). I wish I could get my hands on the original build sheets and order data but such is life.., and as noted this boat is a disguised racing boat by a truly great designer. it wasn’t so much posting the rebuild, so much as what I’m working on. I’m here for the brain trusts knowledge on IO’s. I was told this was the place for all things performance IO. I need input to rebuild a B3 and I’m doing this Ls swap. Will I make 100? Probably never. 60 is my minimum acceptable, right now. Maybe higher eventually. Who doesn’t want to go as fast as they ncan? Either an intake manifold swap (FAST LSXRT is whispering to me) or a super charger… I got this LS for free and I’m nearly done. Id like to see how it performs. I wish id had stroked it, had a 6,0, or even a bbc 496 or bigger. But now I’ll see how she goes and go from there. As to b3’s I’ve been talking to member 253 for parts and recommendations. Can anybody sign off on him? I’m going to spend some serious coin… im thinking about 1.81 gear ratio but any suggestions would be appreciated. ps beyond serious personal offshore fishing, tournaments (that have race like starts and finishes), I plan to boat between the islands. If you are familiar with the channel between Hawaii island and Maui (alenuihaha channel and others) this is a serious goal. One day I want to go all the way to Kauai island and back. (One end of the chain to other) with the family… |
Got the LS built and started. It’s running real nice.
here’s some pics of the wiring of the panel and the gauge cluster https://i.postimg.cc/crVg81VW/123998...9450C80FB4.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/pmBn3KwF/A3C566...800714535F.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/5Hm6GBj9/3B0A79...6403ABA127.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/K3S4r3r6/00A39A...39D2ED9ACA.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/f3PVyr3T/530A1F...7DD0EDEA67.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/yDVgb94B/78260E...CBD018BCAC.jpg had to custom mill some spacer blocks for the engine. They are working great. I realized that the exhaust was not going to be above the water line otherwise. https://i.postimg.cc/MvXtpN8P/3695F6...EA18955C07.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/30XsFNwr/82850B...9FDA8C87CF.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/64w8GxTz/3CE68F...6C7A64ED1F.jpg https://i.postimg.cc/XB8pf1CW/F1EF25...66BD9897C3.jpg I need to cut the keyhole in transom. I’m very stressed about this for some reason. Probably that stupid x dimension. I’ll install the transom assembly and get ready to install the engine. After that I have a bravo 3 outdrive to do a rebuild on. not sure if I’m going to go 2:1 or 1.81:1 any suggestions appreciated. I’m leaning 2:1 on it but would appreciate the brain trusts help. |
"I need to cut the keyhole in transom. I’m very stressed about this for some reason. Probably that stupid x dimension."
Every single time I've had to cut or drill fiberglass, in my boat or someone elses, I get very stressed. Most times it's a one shot deal, you either get it right or an expensive repair ensues. So far rechecking 10 times followed by a beer for the nerves has worked out well. lol Nice project, welcome to OSO. :boat: |
Cool to see you are back on it. Nice Father/Son project.
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To the top. Very curious to see this one run. Nothing like a SeaCraft when the ocean gets rough, especially a Seafari 25.
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I missed this tread ! Nice project !
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It’s still a work in progress main reasons are parts, money, time.
am slowly rebuilding a b3. Was able to hand lap and deglaze the upper cone and gears but lower is a total rebuild. The upper is done but the lower rebuild kit has been unavailable and now costs a pretty penny. In meanwhile I’ve been drawing up the wiring diagram. I don’t have Vizio but have something that should work. And am now fabricating the motor mounts, I haven’t been able to source or figure out a good way to keep the rainy season off the motor. If I install it I definitely don’t want that happening. along with motor mounts I’m designing the engine cover. Planning on fiberglass some kind of removable deck pieces to get leg room and some sort of ram air intake on the motor box itself. not much to report just a lot of busy work. But I am working on it. In meanwhile, here’s the curly koa rocket launcher I made for it. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...46dd552dc.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...86934f619.jpeg |
Good to see you're still at it. The Bravo Three is an excellent choice for that hull, due to it's extremely deep-v. How many horsepower do you think your LS makes? The koa rocket launcher is outerworldly. We have a Funai 31 high performance sportfisher locally here in Newport Neach. It was built at the Funai yard in Hawaii in the late '80s and got a koa wood interior in the cabin, and it's spectacular. Here's a photo of a California local, fully restored Seafari 25. Keep up the great work. You'll love it when you get to run her the first time.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...87e38bd52e.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8481382f26.jpg |
So here’s more photos of the busy work. Awhile back I cut the keyhole, waterproofed it, installed the transom unit, and made some new stainless screws and teak knobs for the original seats and pedestals. That’s an early pic of them in finishing. It took several days to get all the oil on and dry. Originally they were plastic some missing. These are mirror imaged for left and right seats.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...bc45d5c4d.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3ec021ba4.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ab3ced41f.jpeg As to hp on the LS im guessing 450ish? I’d like to say 500 but I think it will miss that and realistically be 425-450 after everything. flat tops pistons on the 5.3 ported the 243 heads 92mm tb on the tbss, would love a 102 on a fast lsxrt but want it done. cold air intake (ram air?) valve job Tsp truck cam stage 2 high lift - dyno adds 62hp and 29 tq on cam Custom tune Trunnion, lifters, and rocker upgrades nothings really stock anymore on this thing. Couldn’t get an aluminum flywheel when I built it but I’m really toying with putting one on before install. ps I knot the guy who did that SeaCraft, we talk from time to time. That is widely considered the best Seafari out there I hope mine will rival his. He ultimately got rid of it b/c he thought it was too slow. He put a 350 cid vp in it. He thought the cc’s were hp. These boats came with up to 500hp in the twin mercs. Want to get close to that hp on this one engine. |
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