Classic SeaCraft Community - Family friendly seating on Sceptre or Seafari

Quote:

Originally Posted by erebus (Post 267857)

Heres how we do ours.
23 Sceptre, enclosed transom, outboard on a bracket.

2 big cushy folding chairs that live in the cabin when not in use. Two really big Igloo coolers with cushions. The two pompanette chairs at the helm swivel all the way around for joining the conversation. And the occasional bean bag (but not that much).
Works great, 6 adults 2-5 kids, no problem.

Pics aren't loading for me, but I'd really like to see! wah!

Quote:

jsylvestor-
I am surprised the Seafari is not more well appreciated.

Our ’76 Seafari was a very family friendly choice, particularly with a young family. It was purchased a couple years before kids. We took our son off shore trolling when he was six months old and later he and his sister would nap and roll around in the cushioned cabin giggling. I made a see-through mesh net that came up about half way up the door, so we could leave the door open and prevent them from rolling out if we were distracted with a fish. The net was low enough to lean in and change a diaper. As the kids grew we were into snorkeling and skiing. And now the 40 year old daughter brings the grands every summer to SC; last time the 6 & 8 year old both solo kneeboarded for the first time. Ours has the windshield which opens which is great on hot days especially at anchor; the cabin and windshield provide nice protection on cooler days.

Two short comings of the Seafari are inconvenience of anchoring and at rest everyone sits aft of the cabin, which was not so much of an issue when the kids and adults were lighter. However, the cabin is great for storage of cushions, slalom, wakeboard and our canvas food and clothes bags stay dry.

As for seating, years ago I added the Hermco splashwell tub which provided more security to the stern jump seats and kept the little ones out of the greasy stuff. Depending on the days usage we choose the appropriate cooler and cooler location to provide additional seating. If/when I complain about the cabin, my wife tells me she loves it and reminds me about getting in out of the rain, as well as some long ago romantic moments. Best wishes on your search and decision,

Similar story here, except as told from the perspective of the toddler who grew up on a Seafari and is now a 40-something year old with kids of my own, still enjoying the same Seafari. For 4, it's perfect (the original name of my boat was "Twosome"... then "Twosome +1" when I was born... then inevitably "Twosome +2" when my brother joined the ranks). We often have more like 7-9 w/ all the kids, friend/boyfriend/girlfriends, and we probably need a bigger boat! I'd trade up to a 23' Sceptre, but the Mrs would rather have an express cruiser type or bowrider. Big fan of the cabin for the highlighted reasons Terry posted above, that I took the liberty of putting in bold! ;)

If I had a CC, I'd want a retractable canvas bow top/canopy, cushions on the raised casting deck, and enclosed transom w/ seating across the entire back, and seating on the front side of the console, if that would all fit in a 23'! LOL I'd also like to see an 80's SeaCraft 23' WA in person some day... those appeal to me also.

Would love to meet up sometime on the south shore!

Ideas from the web:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/af/4b...935dbd31a9.jpg
https://www.marinecanopy.com/wp-cont...0397372864.jpg
https://www.marinecanopy.com/wp-cont...des-273-CC.jpg

My Seafari packed with rug rats and same Hermco splashwell as Terry's:
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/ser...890013/enhance