Quality of a 78 2566 Santa Cruz

D

dillwt

Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2008
RO Number
29706
Messages
3
Hi,
New to the forum and was recently looking at a 25 foot Santa Cruz. I like the layout, ability to sleep 4, and the fact that I can trailer it. Does anyone know about this model.

I am concerned about gas, it has the 7.4 in it.

Are the Decks and Hull cored, and if so, with what. Balsa or Plywood. What are the things to look out for with this model and year.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 
Can't say anything about the boat as I'm not familiar with it, but if you are concerned about gas, don't buy a boat.
The 7.4 is a great engine and you don't want anything any smaller in that boat and even if you had something smaller, it probably would not get any better fuel economy. In fact a smaller engine may be even worse as it will have to work a lot harder to keep a good cruise speed.

It's a 30 year old boat. Make sure you find a good surveyor to go over it.
 
Thanks for the info, I was thinking this was a huge engine for a 25 footer but what you say makes sense. Cruising at a lower RPM could make up for the increased displacement. Now if I can get some info on hull construction for that year/series.
 
if the year is correct, the hull and deck are cored...the hull is balsa, and some of the deck is too...what isn't balsa is plywood
 
Hi Dillwt,
I guess that I could be considered...somewhat experience with this boat.Our 1984 Santa Cruz 26ft has been in our posession for just about a year now and we have had a few fun trips.
The boat is in the Bahamas but we had it here in NH for the summer last year. We did our learning here and then trailered it to Fla. for tranport to Eleuthera.
It took 2.5 days from NH to Fla. at 60 mph with a rented dual wheel and had no problems.
The boat has a 2005 350 cube 350 hp and has plenty of snap for us. I think an important issue is the bennet taps...make sure they work as the 8 ft beam has a tendency to be tippsey in 3 ft waves. Only my opinion.
I believe I saw this boat on YW ???Not a lot of big blocks on the S.C.
Anyway we love our boat and only wish we could be on it now....even if gas is over $6.00 per gal. in the bahamas. We will do less trolling and more anchoring...less island hopping and more sunbathing and BBQing.
The cost of the survey is worth it.
Bob
1984 Santa Cruz "Maybe Baby" our pic should still be on the post about putting pictures on this sight back about 2 months ago.
 
Bob,

Thanks for the info, I saw the boat on used boats.com. I like the lines the layout of the cabin, just about everything. The only thing that worries me is the cored hull and deck.
I have never had a boat with that type of construction. No Idea how you would repair if there was any water intrusion. I am beginning to like the idea of the big block. Kids love to tube.

bill
 
Hi guys, sorry I've been away from the computer for a few days...

The model 2566 Santa Cruz of the late 1970s is indeed balsa cored on the hull bottoms, sides, and deck. If you pull out an appliance, such as the sink in the galley, or perhaps some carpeting somewhere you'll actually see the balsa looking back at you through the translucent fiberglass - it looks like little squares since they used what's called "end grain" balsa, meaning the pieces were stood on end like little squares...

Water intrusion into that balsa will be a disaster. Period. I've seen it fixed, but more often I've seen the boat discarded. So be sure that the hull is sound, by getting the boat surveyed. If you're handy and looking for a project, don't feel too bad if a stringer is bad - that's different from the balsa hull coring and is more easily replacable with a piece of 2x12 pressure treated plywood and some good fiberglass work - been there, done that myself...

But the hull bottom has to be sound, or else don't bother with the boat. Its a buyer's market out there, so don't settle for junk...

PS - in 1980 Carver came out with the 2567, which is what Bob Poman has. This model is completely different with a fully fiberglass hull and is a much sturdier boat, although some feel it may lack some of the charm of the earlier, more "woodier" model. Its all a matter of your taste I guess, but if you like the 25 foot Carvers you might want to consider one of the newer boats before going with the older one...
 
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