19 Seaway a good choice?

[Andyf32]

Looking for some advice on what boat is right for me.
Here are my criteria:

1. Under 20 feet
2. Self bailing
3. semi dry ride
4. Open boat / minimal fore deck
5. 20 - 25 knot capability
6. Easy cleaning boat - no cushions etc
7. decent height gunnels - safe for kids

I like the look of the 19 seaway but not the 17. The 19 is tempting, do they all tend to get the stringer rot issues?

I had tried to buy the 152 Shaw Yachts that had the craigslist ad linked here in the for sale section but it sold out from under me.

The boat will be used primarily in Long Island sound.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions tips you may have.

 

[Tunascapes]

I am extremely happy with the 19 I rebuilt over the winter. I think by adding the 26 gallon tank under deck I added just enough weight to really help with a nice smooth ride. I have yet to get wet in a sw wind chop here in the summer. In a real tight chop the bow does slap a touch. I don't want to call it pounding, because its not, but in a 19ft boat I really don't know if you could get a boat that doesn't bounce in a head sea a little bit. I do not have bow spray rails and I really don't think they need to be added. With a 90 hp etec the boat will top out at 38mph and have a very comfortable cruise right around 25/26mph. I am not sure if every older one has stringer issues but it does seem to be an area of concern for the 80's era boats. I would be sure to look closely for stringer rot, deck rot, and transom delamination.

I would sell you mine in a heart beat, only because I am ready for another project, but I really think my family would kill me. They are loving the boat, the ride, and the space for beach runs.

 

[Badlatitude]

Beautiful little rig Tuna!

 

[CEShawn]

I want a skiff project!!!!!!

 

[BOSBoatMan]

Looks like the South River to me...or no?

 

[Andyf32]

Tunascapes,
Your project is the one that got me looking at the Seaway 19. I love the simple, clean, neat look. Thanks for the performance information. I was wondering what kind of power would give me those type of numbers.

 

[RKrough]

As a comparison my 19' Midland (similar to the Seaway) tops out at 25 mph on a lake with a 1987 60hp two stroke with two people on board and 18 gallons of fuel.

The boats with stringer issues are mostly around 30 years old. If it takes 30 years for the stringers to rot out . Rebuilding one should be good for another 30 years.

 

[BOSBoatMan]

I was going to put a 90 ETEC on my Leblanc 16'10" by 8'1"...but after looking at ye getting 38 mph @ WOT, I am going to have to reconsider. I get all nervous going that fast....!

 

[BOSBoatMan]

PS Love that console...is that original?

Did 3A Marine in Hingham install that beautiful engine of yours?

 

[Tunascapes]

The reason I went with the 90 originally is that it is the same motor and cubic inches as the 75. I would think there is very little difference in the power of the two.

Console is not original. That was a new purchase from eastern boats. They bought the 19 mold when seaway folded.

 

[boatbeerme]

I owned a 2002 Eastern Seaway for 10 years. Wonderful boat. So easy to maneuver, cheap on gas, Top speed 28 knows with a 90 Honda. However, I am surprised the above owner never gets wet in chop. I had bow spray rails and can recall many a day getting soaked in stiff breeze with chop. Still it was a super boat.

 

[Andyf32]

Boatbeerme, I was wondering about that. I see a lot of them with dodgers so I figured they were a somewhat wet boat.

 

[boatbeerme]

Andyf32, the bow dodger kept the bow dry but didn't help me any at the helm station. People use their boats for different things-Because I trailered I figured if it was a messy day I would not bother going out. The best thing about the 19' was the versatility, as it was at home at Lake Winnipesaukee, Martha's Vineyard, Merrimack River, the Cape- so easy to launch, drive, and tow.

 

[Eastporter]

Here's a nice 19' Seaway for you! The price is right!

19 FT. SEAWAY DOWN EAST

 

[Andyf32]

Eastporter,
I saw that one but it is a little further away than I would like. Logistics of getting it home etc.
But thanks for keeping your eyes open for me.

 

[Toro]

Scuppers

Hey 'Tuna,
I have to redo my scupper area on my pointer 19... Did you do yours like the new seways?

 

[exiledgator]

Here's a nice 19' Seaway for you! The price is right!

19 FT. SEAWAY DOWN EAST

Man, this looks nice! It's gotta be soft, though...

 

[jojobee]

don't forget to search for the general marine 19. This is also a pointer/seaway/eastern type hull

 

[mcm44]

Andy- have you found something yet? I fish LI sound out of Westbrook on an 18' Levy built cc with a 50hp 4stroke Suzuki ob. Similar to what you are seeking- its been good for me, though I am now at the point where I am thinking I need something a little bigger. my boys were around 4th grade when I got it, and are now in high school- so less room on the boat and certainly not much room at all if I want to add my nephew or something. Plus, a little more seating would be great.If i could afford to move up, I certainly would...to something in the 21-22' range, little cabin forward and a nice large deck aft would be ideal for me.
Last week we were out and the wind and seas built up kind of quickly and she handled it well, but I was envious of the bigger craft on that day. Having said all that....this type of boat is very easy and economical to maintain and run. Uses very little gas and is just so bare bones that maintaining and cleaning her is not bad at all.

 

[BOSBoatMan]

@mcm - I like ye boat, reminds me of my vessel...what kind of beam ye got??

And how high is the bow from the W/L?