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1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
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1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
Looking to buy one as a project boat.Just wondering what type of seas would this boat be able to take safely and comfortably? We currently have 19' footer and we had it out last weekend in the indian river inlet area and the seas were around 1.5 feet it wasn't terribly bad.
Re: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
Without any more info such as brand and model it is difficult to give an accurate answer. New boats list the max wave hight that they are designed for in the owners manual and most manuals are available online in PDF format, so if you found a fairly new boat that was similar in hull shape and weight you could possibly get an idea. I doubt that you will enjoy true 5 footers in a boat that size but it is probably safe if you know how to manuever in that rough of water.
Re: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
It's not a question of what the boat will handle, it comes down to what you are comfortable with. You could have 10 ft swells that are 19 seconds apart and that would be fine, you could also have a 3 ft chop and beat youself up. Run the boat and see what you are comfortable with. That about it.
__________________ If Ya Can't Fish In Heaven, I Don't Wanna Go
RE: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
It depends greatly on the boat hull, not just the size. I have a 1978 24' Topaz, which is a very well built boat with a bit of bow flare - I have been in a true 5' sea in the northern gulf with it and it did great, though I wouldn't plan on going on out it that rough again - it was just too tough to fish in that rough a sea in that size boat.
RE: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
Fortunately most boats can handle more than most Captains can.This provides a small measure of safety and keeps a lot of us from doing really dumb things.If its too rough to be fun don't go.
Re: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
In all honesty from what i can till the hull is in great shape yet.Some rot back by the engine area and ofcourse the engine is shot.Like i said it'a project boat.No time frame to get it done.I've known guys that bought boats that size for several thousand dollars andd the first day out the engine blew or the sterndrive was toast.
Re: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
It appears you like other peoples reef material. This need to be placed in a ancient boat site with a picture of Henry Ford showing off there first big V-8. I would take it out on a 3' deep mill pond on a calm day to test how it would sink with out poluting the water or air. That is a fossile not a bote.
__________________ Living in South Carolina, fishing any place. "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf". G. Orwell
Re: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
so even thou the hull is still in great shape and the rest of the boat is in decent shape except for the engine a little rot by the stern floor I shouldn't waste my time?
Re: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
If there is some very compelling reason that you want to save this specific boat, or one like it--I might suggest you get your $10,000 set aside and do it. But looking at the pictures, there is dry rot, not only in the floors, but most likely in the transom, bulkheads and engine bed stringers. I have a friend who found a boat of this vintage, which he really liked: he re did the engine, then the outdrive, next the stringers, floors and bulkheads--also interior. The second time he launched it, the boat began to sink--the transom was so rotted that it pulled away from the outdrive seals--so now a new transom. His labor: about 300 hours, others labor--another 300 hours, plus over $10,000 in parts.
Oh yes, I forgot about the fuel tank. Walk away very quickly and don't look back. Any boat sitting out in the snow is going to have problems. I just purchased a 3 year old boat (at a bargin price) which had sat out over the winter--and its cockpit was rotten. (Fortunately the other parts were OK--but that is only a 3 year old boat).
Re: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
to me off shore fishing is off the coast.But i'm finding out anything under 25 miles is considered inshore fishing.That is what i want the boat for up to 20 miles off the delaware/maryland coast
Re: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
You need to take a pass on this one. This boat will break you pocketbook. No knock on Cruisers-they make a solid hull- but this one has been left open to the elements and is not worth the effort required to make it seaworthy. nYou would be much better off finding one that is sound and usable. IMHO. Laird
Re: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
I'm still undecided what i'm going to do yet.I know if i hit the transom with a rubber mallet it sounds solid yet.I'm basically looking for a boat that size to restore slowly.I could spend 20K for a boat that is supposely sea worthy just to find out it also has other issues.Plus were is the fun in that.We currently have a 19 footer which we currently use and works for are purpose so it's not like we don't have a boat to use in the mean time.this is basically something to occupy my time plus to learn alot more how boats are made
Re: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
You tap out the transom with a phenolic hammer or back of a plastic handled screwdriver--not a rubber mallet. You also put an ice pick or knife blade up into the plywood which is the core around where the outdrive is attatched. I'll bet you will find soft wood. (A moisture meter might or might not help)
Remember that your life depends on the intregity of the boat--even if you are out a mile or so.....I suspect that he cannot find any to haul it away--and he wins, when someone pays him $475! Oh yes, does he have a current title?
Re: 1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle?
Quote:
lime4x4 - 5/12/2007 3:29 PM
so even thou the hull is still in great shape and the rest of the boat is in decent shape except for the engine a little rot by the stern floor I shouldn't waste my time?
Don't be attracted to the cheap buy in. If this boat was in decent running condition, a fair price would probably be less than the cost of a new power package. Willing to bet that it has water soaked foam under the floors that would need to be gutted along with the other aspects already mentioned. This to me would not be considered worth the time and money to bring back to life.
1977 24' cabin cruiser what type of seas can this boat safely handle? 
