Seafarer VSEA Pod or not to pod

[Bazmac]

Hi All,

Seafarer VSEA 1990 5 metre cuddy cabin.

Found that I have un unrepairable wet transom, the repairer has suggested that I install a pod as it will improve performance, is this true.

They have also suggested that I install an underfloor fuel tank, I advise that I have read of many failed attempts to achieve this in a VSEA, what they are suggesting is an aluminium tank running as wide and deep as possible the length of the floor, this would be then fibre glassed to the braces to restore strength, has anyone done this or know of this being done and how successful was it.

I will also need to get a new trailer (something I have always wanted to do) as the trailer is a home made job and will not be suitable, any recommendations for a drive on /drive off trailer to suit.


It has been suggested that I get a slide on trailer as it is better for positioning the boat on the trailer as opposed to a roller trailer, the only negative is that the skids leave marks on the hull, any comments would be appreciated.

I know I am talking a lot of money, but it is a great little boat I would rather do a reno than get rid of it.

Would appreciate any feed back.
Bazmac.jpg
Geoff

[Noelm]

I will see of Ican find a thread on another site where a guy has done what you want to do, it will give you some clues.

[Chimo]

Look here for some past action on this http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/arc.../t-116072.html

[Fish Face]

I find it hard to believe that the transom is un-repairable. Did he say why ?

[scottar]

I find it hard to believe that the transom is un-repairable. Did he say why ?

I'll take a stab. A whole lot easier on the repairers part. If the boat is going to be podded he can basically totally cut away the existing well arrangement instead of working around it, totally cut out the existing transom and replace the whole back of the boat. Option B is he makes more money.

By all means look into it as personally I think it will open up a massive amount of extra room and allow incorporation of a bait tank. Just make sure the pod will have enough buoyancy/planing surface to allow for the weight distribution shift or it might do nasty things to a great little hull more so if you are ever considering the extra weight of a 4 stroke

[FisHard]

I had one of the series III V-Seas many years ago. They were the last of your shape model before Seafarer introduced the totally new 5 m version (also owned one of them). The series III actually came with a small pod, and as mentioned above, gave the boat an amazing amount of floor space compared to the well version. Mine had a 75 Mariner 2 stroke and went well. It did porpoise a bit in calm weather flat out, but other than that, was definitely the best sea boat I have owned (on a pound for pound basis). We used to fish Deep Tempest every other weekend from Manly without batting an eyelid. I remember coming back across the bay to Cleveland in about a 40 kt SE er, and we made it! Even today, when I see one of these rare models come on the market, I'm tempted to grab it! They are usually on the high side of $10 k though. Good luck with your rig.

[Bazmac]

I considered the advice given by everyone and decided not to fit a pod, had the transom repaired, the dash modified to mount the electronics, had the floor under the fuel tank cut away to allow for a bilge pump to be fitted to the hull and a full top and bottom paint job. This work was all done by Arnie and the crew at Leisure Build Pty Ltd, located at the Bundaberg airport, they did an excellent job and would gladly recommend them.

I also had a 90HP Yamaha 2 stroke fitted (almost the same weight as the 60HP Johnson that came off) and she now gets transported on a Redco Sportsman drive on - drive off trailer.

Is there anyone out there that needs a 60HP Johnson 1995 motor, has all the controls and cables plus an unused spare prop.

Geoff

IMG_1004.jpg IMG_0978.jpg

[Jsmfun]

looks great bazmac

[ozscott]

Nice mate! I reckon podding is always playing Russian Roulette - might work well...night be a spectacular failure and only way to know for sure is to do it, or if you know someone who has had it done and it worked well and you just copy that.

Cheers

[FisHard]

She looks sweet mate and I bet it's a rocket with the 90?!

[Bazmac]

Thanks for the comments guys, she does get up and go with the 90, doing 58kph mates asks if I'm at full throttle, so I pushed the control to almost full and threw him back into the seat.

I'm glad that I made the decision to go with the 2 stoke and kept the weight down, the 4 stroke would have been too heavy and therefore not achieved the performance that I am getting.

Geoff