Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

I know there is a lot of discussion out there regarding the newer vs. older SC hulls, but what are all the differences (design and/or construction) between the different generations of hulls???

I hear lots of polarized opinions on the boards about the older hulls being so much better than the newer hulls. My boat is a 2002 hull, that apperance wise, looks very much like a lot of the 70's era boats. Ok guys, quelch my curiosity over this.

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

“For me” I first thing hull design and the SeaCraft hull design hasn’t changed from the early 70’s so from that point of view they are all the same. Next comes material used in building the boats which has changed from the 70’s the newer one’s use composite materials in the lamination and the older one’s used balsa and plywood personally I thing the new stuff is better. Then comes cost cutting methods and or less materials in the building of the boat most guys say the older Potter built are better in that regard and then comes workmanship I would say that on a whole the older boats had better workmanship (when they were built) due to the standards that were kept (but those boats are now 25+ yrs old). So for me if I was going to buy a new boat I would seriously look at the SeaCraft and if I was going to buy a older boat and restore it I would definitely choose a SeaCraft it cost me about 45 cense on the $ to rebuild my 23 CC Potter hull to as good or better that buying new.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

that 21 looks different and sits higher in the water because it IS different. The 21' is a recent addition to the fleet and it did not exist back in the "Potter" days. Same hull" - nope. Not to the 20' at least. Now take a six pack and a chainsaw to the tail of a 23' and we start to see some striking similarities.

If you want to see something that looks similar to the 21', take a photo of a 23' and lop off 2' - you'll be amazed at the resemblance [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

Is that the same as "It Looks like a BMW but its really a VW Jetta?"

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

Now that the question has been asked, does anyone really know the difference in the years,mfg,etc.? I have a 1989(identical to 1988) SeaCraft 23 WA with a big Tracker name on the aft sides. Is this a different design or something that was built in between owners? Hull plate says it was built in Tampa, Fl. by Tracker Seacraft. I have a test sheet from Mercury Outboards that says the brand name is Tracker Seacraft, Model 23 WA and mnfg by Tracker Marine Corp. Springfield , Mo., which is where Bass Tracker was based out of. At the time I bought my boat, they were being marketed by BassTracker. When it was registered, it was registered as a BassTracker. Had a heck of a time convincing the Auditor it was a SeaCraft to get the title changed.
Can some enlighten me on my boat history? I've always assumed it was the same boat as is talked about here.

[ July 25, 2003, 01:19 AM: Message edited by: Gary ]

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

I have heard mixed things from "far superior" to "no where near the quality where it counts". I guess if it lasts almost 20 years like mine, its a great boat, right?

Next time you fish the Rips and see me there (84 20 foot MA) stop by to compare boats. Yours seems to be laid out differently, and sit higher in the water, but I have not been on a new 20 or fished it ....hmmm, wanna go fishin? Jason [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Though mine is not a true Potter boat, it is a Potter hull. And I'm pretty sure both our boats share the same hull.

[ July 24, 2003, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: 84 SeaCraft ]

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

Here is a SeaCraft timeline that I put together some time ago. Seems to be fairly accurate.

(note: Internet browser needs to support frames

http://seacraft.snetsol.com/SCTimeli...ine_frames.htm

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

Gary,
The 23 hull has been the same since Day 1. Your WA was only produced during the "Tracker SeaCraft" days of the late '80s, but your hull is identical in design to a 1970 23. As far as construction goes, there may have been some minor differences between Potter, CSY and Tracker, but for the sake of conversation they are identical.

Bottom line - you own a SeaCraft. Now rip those Tracker decals off and put on a set of SeaCraft ones! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

I have a friend in Cape Cod whose father has owned '70s era 23 for a long time. Last year his buddy bought a new 23 and he has spend a fair amount of time on it. He says that in rougher water you can really tell the difference... the older boat is stiffer and quieter, and rides like its heavier, although he thinks they are actually the same weight, at least according to specs.

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

The mystique lives on [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] !

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

I like the timeline, Rich. I think the comments regarding the 21 are fairly accurate too. Mine seems much more closely related to the 23 than the 20 MA.

This is very interesting indeed. Thanks everyone for the replies! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[ July 25, 2003, 04:30 PM: Message edited by: ole yeller ]

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

Thanks everyone for you replies. I no longer have to wonder about my boats origin, etc. I like the time line of ownership.
Where are the boats made now?

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

Gary-

The new Seacraft & Mako boats are made in the same factory in Miami. However, they are in the process of moving the entire operation to North Carolina.

The old Seacraft hulls were all made in South Florida. Depending on who owned them at the time (Potter, CSY, Tracker, etc) they moved around to different locations. I think at one time in the early eighties...they were actually being built on the west coast of Florida....maybe during the transition period between Potter & CSY???. Jason & Marc from Georgia can correct me if I am wrong...they were there when were talking to Mr Potter about the ownership timeline.

-Ed-

Re: Potter vs. non-Potter hulls
 

My plate on the dash of my boat indicates an address in Tampa, Fl.
That sounds a lot like our locally built boat factories around here, they have settle down now but for several years, seemed like a new name plate and same boat.
SeaSports are built here in Bellingham and only moved one time since 1968. They started out building 12 fiberglass boats for Sears and are now up to about 32 feet. They orginal owners finally sold the business about 3 years ago. They did change the hull design slightly about 7-8 years ago, got away from a flat bottom at the transom end and addest some "V" to help with the ride.