Why isn't the Sea Pacer more popular? So few for sale....

[Omega3]

Yat The Brave,2 foot chop in a 13 footer in August,shiver me timbers.

[Yachter Yat]

   We'll see about that "shiver"........"Kiwi" is like a knife.        You know, I almost hate to admit it (because I was so fond of it), but some of the worst "timber shivers" were with my Arima.   I've experienced times when it hit so hard, and shook so bad, I thought for sure there had to be some major damage.   Whenever that happened, I always found myself doing this crazy close inspection, when back on solid ground.
   Since it was one of the first to be shipped to New England, I always thought Donny Gross and the boys took special care and did a great job on my boat.  That aside, I suspect Kiwi will probably be a bit more forgiving when it comes to smoothing out the ride. 
     At 13'-6" x 5'-9" it certainly has the advantage of a much better aspect ratio than my Arima.  Not to mention those bow angles.  That's more than half the battle right there.  To be honest, I don't think I've ever seen such a small boat that appears to have as much protection from the elements.  The side shot of this little battlewagon says it all. Keep in mind, "Kiwi" was born in (what I like to call) a "rough neighborhood".  Ha  For those who are unaware, just south of Dunedin, NZ is where both Stabicraft and Frewza boats were "sired".   Haha
    So again.......we'll see.

Yat
 

[croaker stroker]

A couple of pics of the Sea Pacer from yesterday. Also, a video of 3x3 slop. A couple of off-shore racers went speeding by only to quickly turn and come back. 

The video isn't working?? Don't know why.

[Yachter Yat]

    Croaker:  Nice pics. I honestly think this is where criticism has to "get off".  While I don't believe an open bow boat would ever be a "friendly alternative" for me, or (arguably) many others living too far North, there's no doubt in my mind, that Sea Pacer seems to have served you well.  Obviously, an excellent fit; not only for where you reside, but for your particular boating and angling habits as well.
   

Have fun, Yat

[croaker stroker]

Yat. Different strokes for different folks. 

Don't get the misconception that our local Catalina Channel seas don't become angry at times.

In this area (and I have been out there in "Victory of the Sea" conditions in my Skipjacks) I feel pretty safe in this little boat.

[shin09]

I've been looking for a Pacer too. Hard to find. That one in naches is very intriguing but it's definitely overpriced given the 2stroke power, despite how good of condition it appears to be in.

[croaker stroker]

...

Mike using the bow, and place to carry the Kill Bag full of ice.

[E-TEC Pacer]

I think if the east coast had the nastiest sea conditions then the Coast Guard would have put the Motor Lifeboat school on the east coast rather than the Pacific Northwest where we have the nastiest bar in the world. I went to the school back in the winter of '71/'72 and glad I did, I learned a lot! I have a lot of respect for the Big Blue. I think the little Pacer could hold its own as long as there's a knowledgable person at the wheel.

[croaker stroker]

There are times when none of our little boats could stay afloat. 

During the Vietnam war, my ship was in a Typhoon in the Tonkin Gulf. It was a large ship (LKA) and we were tossed around like a cork. I can't imagine any fiberglass recreational boat of any size surviving in seas like that.

I'm sure Kimbrey has many stories to tell. 

[shin09]

My two cents (which is probably worth less than 2 cents but this is an Internet forum...). The pacer isn't a true bowrider because there is no seating up there. So great for fishing, storage and anchor retrieval but not as much for family.

 At the same time, the helm is simultaneously too far forward (bow area too small for seating) and too far back (fishing and seating in the back are a bit small).  Ultimately it seems like the 19 platform would have maybe been the better option but who knows.

That being said I still want one. Perfect starter boat for my small family. Having the bow access for river anchoring and also trolling motor potential is huge.  Soooo much storage!

[markymark]

I would rather have a Grady dual console for the reasons just mentioned.

[Yachter Yat]

I think if the east coast had the nastiest sea conditions then the Coast Guard would have put the Motor Lifeboat school on the east coast rather than the Pacific Northwest where we have the nastiest bar in the world. I went to

    They just didn't want any of the trainees to wind-up like the crew of the Andrea Gail.    
    BTW, over 10,000 lives lost at sea off the Coast of Gloucester over the years.  Those are just the ones they know about.  Consider yourselves lucky. 

https://www.google.com/search?q=How+many+lives+were+lost+at+sea+out+of+Gloucester%2C+Ma.&sca_esv=d778004382ecc027&sca_upv=1&sxsrf=ADLYWIID2qNDqMfGtIgBb7FHolGDswCQOw%3A1727791834407&source=hp&ei=2gL8ZtX_FvGrptQPrqiMqAM&iflsig=AL9hbdgAAAAAZvwQ6jF7_tRCgN3CRL9YXvQ4mQ1GJUMh&ved=0ahUKEwjV1KKUru2IAxXxlYkEHS4UAzUQ4dUDCB8&oq=How+many+lives+were+lost+at+sea+out+of+Gloucester%2C+Ma.&gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz

Yat

[shin09]

I would rather have a Grady dual console for the reasons just mentioned.

Yah. I don't recall if Grady made a dc down in the 18-18.5 range. In the 17 range the pacer is unique with the open bow, 8ft beam and high gunnels. Something like the BW 160 Ventura based off the dauntless line is significantly narrower, shorter gunnels but is self bailing. Stepping up to the 180 Ventura you still have low sides but it's 8ft beam and a much bigger boat, often on a tandem trailer.

So the pacer fits a niche for the size. Just seems like it wasn't everybody's niche

[croaker stroker]

I would rather have a Grady dual console for the reasons just mentioned.

I thought about that, but the Sea Pacer has a nice high freeboard to rest your knees against while fighting a fish. (Similar to my previous Skipjack).The Grady does not.

[Yachter Yat]

  Grady-White stopped making boats that fit the pecuniary interest of any workin' man, years ago. For the most part, they're all big, expensive "open bow arks". Keep in mind, these are made in North Carolina.  While the water can still be rough down there, it's certainly a helluvalot warmer than where most of us on this site reside.
    Back in the 70's, GW once built a nice 20 foot closed-bow runabout. Without looking back, I'm not sure if it was called the "Dolphin" or the "Marlin".  Obviously, those days are gone, as are their small boat customer base. BTW, I wouldn't get too excited about GW.  Why?.........You want to see gel cracks?  Go look for yourself.

Yat   
   

[markymark]

You wanna see Gelcoat cracks look at my '85 SR17 😂😂

[Norcalfish80]

Some of it comes down to how you run your boat. I had a whaler montauk I'd take out in gnarly stuff but if I ran it quickly in the rough stuff I would've rapidly filled it with water. My 19HT does not take on water in virtually any situation despite taking it out in some truly nasty stuff. Would take someone who's very bad at handling boats to have a water on board issue in that model.

[croaker stroker]

The lift created by the PVC spray rails on my boat help a lot to prevent the bow from dipping.

They are commonly used in Yat's neck of the woods.

[KEM KAI]

Croaker, how much was the spray rails?  Been considering getting it.  Did you install it yourself and if you did was it hard to do?

[croaker stroker]

Yes. My wife and I installed it. It is difficult, but worth the effort. The material came form Barbour Plastics on the East coast.

It is solid PVC Vinyl extrusion. The material has to be heated in order to conform to the hull. I wraped the molding in black canvas and left it in the sun on a 100 degree day.

Wiley had a better idea. He used a trough (I think he used a rain gutter...not sure??) then poured boiling water on it.

https://www.arimaowners.com/index.php?topic=13695.msg250100#msg250100

https://www.arimaowners.com/index.php?topic=24756.msg289491#msg289491

https://www.arimaowners.com/index.php?topic=14406.msg168260#msg168260

MarineTex works great to fill the countersink screw holes. It sticks really well to the PVC.

Sorry, I don't remember the cost. It has been a few years ago. Mark at Barbour is very service oriented and was very helpful. You should give him a call and he can answer all your questions.

https://www.barbourplastics.com/

One of these days I should paint the rails closer to the color of the hull. 

[markymark]

Croaker, how much was the spray rails?  Been considering getting it.  Did you install it yourself and if you did was it hard to do?

https://www.integritymarinecorp.com/smart-rails

[markymark]

Here is a corny video on spray rail installation

https://youtu.be/-pX84Kx1Srk?si=vjInCIiElAp8IkPv

[KEM KAI]

Thanks Croaker and Marky, still just considering it but will watch the videos to see if I want to do it.  I try not to go out on bad days but sometimes the weather changes when out there.  Another option, which is common in Hawaii is to add to the nose of the boat.  Don't like fiberglass work with all the itching so was looking at the rail. This is real common here, really does a good job of turning all the water down.

[KEM KAI]

Watching all the videos, maybe I'll just keep using the wrap around to stay dry.  Just don't like it cause when the salt spray drys on it it's harder to see thru.  Maybe just look for someone locally to do the bow extension for me.

[croaker stroker]

One point....

Solid PVC spray rails and tape-on "Smart Rails" are two different things.