Scottie Craft 23' Cuddy

Earlier I stated my boat is a 24' but I actually believe it is 23' Cuddy 1973 model. I purchased the boat from an elderly gentleman in Tennessee who kept it at his vacation home in Destin, FL. I've been messing around with it off and on for a couple of years now. It has a small v berth up front with a toilet in the V. When I bought the boat it had an AQAD32/270 volvo diesel in it rated at 106HP. I purchased a good used TAMD40B turbo volvo and Duoprop earlier this year and shoe horned it in. It's rated at a 165HP. I should be able to scoot along pretty good and hopefully only sip the diesel. I stripped this boat down to the hull and have basically gone through everything. I'm currently trying to find a hardtop that I can build a half tower for. I'm really not wanting to build a fiberglass top from scratch. I don't have any problem tigging up the frame. Hopefully late this spring I'll have some shake down runs under my belt and I can sneek out for some Kings next summer.

I just got a 23' Scottie Craft w/ cuddy cabin that sounds almost exactly like yours with the exception of the engine. Mine has an AQ170 gas engine in it with the 270 outdrive.

Right now I have the deck off (spongy, wood had rotted where seats were removed) and the fuel tank out. The engine is trashed, so I am looking for repower options. Do you have any suggestions or know of any forums? Right now I am looking at 4.3 liter V6's or possibly even a small V8. I believe that the engine box is large enough to hold it, but I am concerened about over doing it with such a large engine.

As for the tower you were talking about, do you have a sketch or can you elaborate on what you are trying to do? I would like to find a better alternative to the canvas top but I am not sure how to go about doing it. My background is mechanical, not body work, so this is a learning experience on the fiberglass for me.

Thanks!

I don't think weight is an issue the diesel that was in my boat originally was 1200 pounds with the 270 drive and the engine I have now with the duoprop is 1300 pounds and it feels fine. I haven't built my half tower yet I'm still looking for a roof panel that is suitable. I'm like you in that I'm mechanical but not a fiberglass guy. The frame I'll make from stainless as I'm in the heat exchanger business so tubing is a non issue and I have the ability to tig up everything here at my shop. How has it been replacing the floor on the boat someday I will have to go that route as well.

Joey