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Back in the Game (Offshore Boat)

28,737 Views | 105 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by Salt of the water
Courtesy Flush
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7:52a, 9/17/16
AG
I called a major audible on my rebuild and decided that I wanted a hard top with an upper helm station. With the fly-by-wire technology, adding a second station is clean and really simple. So I sold the radar arch and the boat is at an aluminum fab shop now. I had Tran build the actual fiberglass hardtop itself and the fabricator in Houston is doing all the aluminum work. I should have figured all this out when I originally started the work, but oh well, all's well that ends well.

I don't yet have any pics of the completed hard top yet, but I should within a few weeks. Below are some pics of the upper helm station. I also had a boot stripe installed which I think really looks nice against the blue hull.

Upper helm station
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Here's some pics of the boot stripe

[url=.html][/url]

[url=.html][/url]

[url=.html][/url]







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Salt of the water
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8:06a, 9/17/16
AG
That upper station looks sharp.

I saw a center console 23 with twin 140s and an upper station on THT a few weeks back. I like the "baby sport fisher" look for these hulls.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boats-sale-wanted/774013-1984-seacraft-23-center-console-w-tower.html

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In reply to Salt of the water • 8:40a, 9/17/16
AG
That would be a cool boat to own. Looking at that boat, I originally thought the top on that boat was higher than mine, but I had my top built 84" so it is probably about the same. I know my boat is going to be top heavy. I am putting a lot of mass in the air on a 23' deep V hull, but I'll just have to learn to live with it.
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Salt of the water
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9:03a, 9/17/16
AG
Do you have a mounting location for the tower/top picked out? I'd want it as far back as feasible because the hull is wider and has less vee the further back you get.

My guess is that running up there will be great because your stability comes from planing, trolling in a beam sea may be sporty.

Any weight you can get down low will help. I know some of the Bertram 25 guys put in raw water tanks so they can pump water for ballast when they start getting light on fuel.
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suprafly03
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In reply to Salt of the water • 9:48a, 9/17/16
AG
Ballast tanks were my first thought as well. Cheap and easy to do, if you have the room for them.
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EFE
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12:31p, 9/17/16
AG
This thread
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bluewave58
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In reply to Courtesy Flush • 10:34a, 9/18/16
AG
quote:
I may end up increasing the size of the fuel tank. I am not sure. I will repower with a single 250 or 300HP engine and those things are so fuel efficient that I can fish a day on the 100 gallon tank that the boat currently has. I will replace the tank regardless though with a new one. Riding on a boat with 100 gallons of fuel in a 37 year old tank just doesn't seem right.

I am going to have the transom glassed in completly and I will mount the engine on a bracket. After I get the transom work done, I will then see if I have room for a bigger tank. I think the transom job will give me the ability to fabricate a replacement tank that is about 18" longer than the current tank. I will move the batteries from the rear of the boat to the front so that will free up space for a bigger tank and better distribute the weight.

[This message has been edited by Rufneck (edited 8/19/2013 1:10p).]
A couple of years ago I repowered my 22' Bluewave Striper with a 150 HP Yamaha 4 stroke. The Yamaha is an outstanding motor. Take a look at one when you repower. You won't be disappointed with a Yamaha 4 stroke!!
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Courtesy Flush
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2:48a, 12/29/16
AG
I am about to take delivery of the boat after completion of the hardtop and upper helm. It has been in the shop much longer than I anticipated but I am living overseas so I haven't put any pressure on the guy to finish since I can't use it anyway. Here are some updated pics.






I should get a picture of the boat with the hard top installed and somebody at the helm. It is killing me to not really get a picture of the final product. While the boat was in the shop, I went ahead and had them do most all of the wiring and also install the steering system. I wouldn't say it is completely ready for the motor, but it is pretty close. Total height with the top folded down is just over 11' so I will be able to get it into the barn but just barely!! More pics to come soon..
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Salt of the water
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6:53a, 12/29/16
AG
Looks sharp! Can't wait to see some pics on the water.

I saw this and thought maybe you'd given up.
http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/5894498141.html

Glad it wasn't you and that you are getting closer.
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FIDO 96
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9:55a, 12/29/16
AG
I know nothing about offshore boats, but I love this thread. Do you mind if I ask, Is that a $100k hobby?
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Salt of the water
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10:44a, 12/29/16
AG
A new contender, regulator, or bluewater, in the 23ft-25ft class with twins and some custom aluminum could very easily go for 100k.

A restore of a classic old hull like the Potter seacrafts (70s models), or old battle wagon makos can add up to half of that really quick.

If you enclose the transom, redo the deck, add new fuel tanks, new fish boxes, etc, you can spend 15k - 20k on glass work pretty quick. Add on another 30k for new 4 strokes rigged up and you're close to 50k... But doing a restore you end up with a custom rig exactly like you like it.

Any work you can do yourself will knock that price down but that's time you ain't fishing. Weekender / backyard guys on classicseacraft and classicmako usually average about 2-3 years to do a re-build.
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cheezag03
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10:54a, 12/29/16
AG
You boys would like this show. Somehow I can DVR it.

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Salt of the water
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In reply to cheezag03 • 12:12p, 12/29/16
AG
Thanks for the heads up, that's a show I'll dvr.

The 31 Bertram is just such a classicly beautiful hull. I know the outboards on the one in that episode are much faster than diesels, but losing that clean transom fishability to the trip v8s... I'm conflicted.
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RO519
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1:09p, 1/3/17
AG
Going to have to follow this thread...
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Courtesy Flush
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4:45a, 4/19/17
AG
I finally got the boat back from the aluminum fabricator. I am really happy with how it turned out. He did a great job which resulted in some scope creep. He went ahead and installed the trim tabs for me and steering and completed the wiring. I stripped all the teak wood off and had it all redone. I still need to put it back on and do a little work inside the cabin. Otherwise, I am pretty much ready for a motor and electronics and then it's time to go fishing.

[url=.html][/url]

I went with 20 foot outriggers which is a bit much for a 23' boat, but these new carbon fiber poles are so light and perform so well, I didn't see a downside.

[url=.html][/url]


[url=.html][/url]



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matthewj042
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6:03a, 4/19/17
DoubleOught-BMA
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6:34a, 4/19/17
AG
So awesome! Can't wait to see it in the water and what you land as your inaugural fish!
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FIDO 96
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6:39a, 4/19/17
AG
Love this thread, but admittedly know nothing about off shore boats. Will this be something you trailer around and will you fit under overpasses?
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In reply to FIDO 96 • 12:32p, 4/19/17
AG
The top section hinges aft so that I can trailer it. When the top is down, the total height on the trailer is around 11.5 feet. The doors on my barn are 12 feet so it just does make it inside.

One issue we had was with the buggy top that provides shade to the upper helm. We originally wanted to be able to keep it in place but it was too big so we have the ability to completely remove it. That affected where the VHF antennas are to be mounted. I wanted them on the top but that would have made it difficult when the top was removed so now they will be mounted on the aft side of the frame outside of the belly band.
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6:06p, 4/19/17
Superdave1993
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10:10p, 4/19/17
AG
In, and about 3 years late. Great work!
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Terk
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5:20a, 4/20/17
AG
Looking great!
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Courtesy Flush
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8:46a, 8/5/19
AG
I have finished the rebuild and have started using my Seacraft (finally!!). I never intended on this project to take over 5 years and but I moved overseas and so that slowed the progress. I am back now and finished up the rebuild earlier this year. The boat has been great. I keep it in a boathouse in POC and have made several trips in the bays and a few trips offshore. Nothing on this boat hasn't been upgraded which is obvious if you look back at the original pictures I took of the boat. Here is what she looks like now.....









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Charismatic Megafauna
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9:09a, 8/5/19
AG
been wondering about this! Great looking boat! I bet it's a tank! Congrats on finally getting her buttoned up!
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AustinCountyAg
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9:13a, 8/5/19
I admittedly know very little about offshore boats, but that rig looks super top heavy and would be a ***** to drive in rough water? How does it handle?
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Salt of the water
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9:15a, 8/5/19
AG
Looks awesome!

Does the ride live up to the hype around the Potter seacrafts?

How's fuel burn with the zuke 300?

Attitude in the water looks good even with the heavier motor set back on the bracket. No water in the scuppers issues? Front tower probably helps balance too.
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SabineAg
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11:03a, 8/5/19
AG
Cool rig
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EFE
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11:39a, 8/5/19
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12:11p, 8/5/19
Dirty-8-thirty Ag
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12:26p, 8/5/19
AG
Very cool to have followed this thread from its first post. Looks great, let's see some tuna pics!
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Bird Poo
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12:35p, 8/5/19
AG
Congrats man. I bet you need a seatbelt up top when you're offshore!
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Charismatic Megafauna
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12:39p, 8/5/19
AG
you haven't lived until you've done a swan dive off a tuna tower into 2000ft of water, timing your jump to the boat's rocking!
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K_P
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1:02p, 8/5/19
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4:09a, 8/6/19
Jackrabbit Ag
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6:06a, 8/6/19
AG
Nice job!

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