Another story of search
 

First off, I like to say thanks to Jason for taking the time to pull this site together. It has been extremely helpful to me. I like so many of you had been searching and searching for a 23 SC for a long time. My typical day would start and end with a search of all the typical places, Boattraderonline.com, yachtworld.com, local and national “Want” advertisers, etc., etc. This went on for a couple years. One Friday when leaving for work a little late, I quickly checked Boattraderonline.com. I did a quick “sort listings by date” and the first add that popped up had been placed 10 minutes earlier, it read 23 Seacraft with trailer no motor $4000. The listing was from somewhere in MICHIGAN. I thought what the F*** is this. I clicked on the image and sure enough there it was. I picked up the phone and gave the number a call. Turned out to be a little crap hole marina on lake Erie. I talked to the sales man and he said that this was the first time they had ever advertised online, anyway sure enough 1972 Seacraft cc, that’s about all he new about the boat. I asked him to take some pictures and email them to me. They looked fairly intriguing. That day I put a deposit on the boat and booked a plane ticket the next day to go check it out. To be honest I had only looked at a couple of others during my search but this one was good, real good. Both deck and transom solid as a rock, some minor cosmetic stuff but everything looked great ( the paint color takes some getting used to). The trailer on the other hand was a mess, it looked like it was built for a 16’ aluminum lake boat. One of the wheels was a few rolls away from coming off. I flew back the next day and with using the Trailer as some leverage, got the guy to come down to $3350 for the boat alone. Done deal.

Friday I saw the add, Saturday on the plane, Sunday bought the boat. In that time frame the sales man told me that he must of taken 40 calls on the boat, he was amazed with the power of advertising on the internet. I agreed with him and kept my mouth shut. He had no idea how coveted these boats were.

Driving west from MASS…

I ordered a 6000 lb dual axle bunk trailer from Tow Master of America and set out three weeks later to pick up the boat. Tow Master ships trailers for around $400, turns out one of there manufacturing plants is in Ohio. One hour south of Cleveland. I had to go through there anyway, saved another $400 for shipping. Bribed a buddy of mine with a truck big enough to pull it all, and went out for 25 hour no sleep round trip drive.

Total package around $5700. It was my lucky day. (at least I think so)

Where I’m at:

Took out the console, ripped out the wiring, took out the “foamed” in 70 gal tank, had a new alum 100 Gal tank fabricated. Unfortunately I haven’t had a lot of time to work on it over this last winter. I’m getting ready to take advantage of the warmer weather that’s coming to really start progressing.

Anyway, that’s my story. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of questions for all of you as I work my way through.

On another note:

If you guys have documentation, specs, etc. that you have scanned or are wanting to scan, let me know. I can help. Just happens that when I’m not learning about how to repair old Seacrafts, I’m working on computers and networks. Jason, If you have a need for some extra storage space, or possibly an FTP site for large scanned in PDF’s let me know.

Thanks,

Rich

Re: Another story of search
 

TX Rich and again, welcome aboard. I have some PDF's, Manuals and what not coming up from Florida from fellow SeaCraft owner Kirk Mahnke AKA "spankster" I do not think I will have any storage issues but if they arise I appreciate your offer.

When did you get your 23? Sounds like a fun journey. I look forward to some pics.

Jason

Re: Another story of search
 

Great story Rich, thanx for sharing!!!! I dont imagine that the 25hr/non sllep issue was much of a factor with that 23 behind the truck knowing it was going to you house,huh??? Craig

Re: Another story of search
 

RICH:

Did you by any chance get the email I sent you. OH by the way WELCOME to the site. THE cape's not that big , call me,

steve

Re: Another story of search
 

Rich-Great story! I used the boat trader too! I found my 18 a bit closer, 3 hours away, and it took me 3 days and a new trailer from St. Pete to complete the sale and pick-up. Your right-on with finding your boat by being the first to act on a new listing. You beat the hundreds of other Seacraft searchers. It's a beautiful thing that these uninformed sellers - even marinas, who have no idea the following of Seacraft, or their value, keep giving them away. Hats off to the boat trader national search engine! Good to hear from you. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Another story of search
 

Hey Rich, cool story and right on the money.These boats just do not last.I was scanning the bargain news daily til mine came up,I called right away,answering machine, damn.Went to Anywho, did the reverse lookup and started driving.The boat was upside down in the yard and I was the first to look at it, gave him the deposit.When I went to pick it up, he said he had a ton of calls.I went with a Towmaster too, so far I like it a lot.

The Turtle sleeps on Mondays
 

Finished..

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: Holy bat crap 18 years in the making !!

Now I know I'am running out of calendar on my projects !:rolleyes:

karate..
 

Where the heck is SpiderCrab?

Damn Rich, what happened to you ? I forgot your name:eek:
You have been MIA for 7 years!
Post the porn dude.......

That’s funny. Did not realize the original post date until Miles Offshore posted! Within a year or so of when I joined!

“Finished”. What kind of post is that? Oh, maybe the new boats name? Haha

Let’s see some pics? Is it on the Cape?

Vezo, Part II

Saw your post on fb last night... what a tease....... you need to come with some pics and epic story of perseverance.

Long time coming
 

Yes it really did take 17 years to finish this project. My only real excuse was life just got in the way once in awhile... that and money..

I started the work myself and picked up parts along the way, when it was finally ready to splash it had been through three different boat repair shops all contributing in some way to the final product.

New transom, raised to 30". Stringers were all rebuilt and re glassed, floor was sanded down and refinished, hatches were rebuilt, new fuel tank, Center console was modified from original, all new paint, all new wiring, all new everything. Bottom was soda blasted and exposed over 500 gel-coat blisters that needed to be ground out and epoxied over.

It has a brand new 2001 OMC / Bombardier Evinrude Ficht that so far has been excellent. ( sat in a crate in my garage for 16 years) Bought it out of a self storage facility in New Hampshire somewhere back in 2002, think I paid $7600 and the remains of a case of beer. I knew at the time that they were prone to problems with Fuel line issues etc, had all that fixed before first use..

During this time frame I had a 20 master angler that I sold to Fish Stretcher? Bought it from another member in Virginia beach I think? Also had a bunch of other work boats, George Williams skiff's etc..

I liked the way Ole Parker's Coral Reefer came out so I copied his color scheme. I actually purchased Sterling paint that I was going roll and tip on the boat but it was so old I decided against it.. That was the best $1,000 I ever spent!

It took a long time to come together but it's been great so far.

Anyway here are a few pictures..

Nice job, way to stay in there. I also saw an unclear pic on FB, after the night before having seen your simple "finished" post. Months ago I save pics on my computer of Parker's Coral Reefer as reminder for colors and combos that I like. That is at the top of my list, great choice. Enjoy your ride this summer and give some performance specs on the old/new ficht, as well as general boat porn.

Jeez, you could make a movie about this odyssey of a rebuild! What did you do to get a 16 year old "new" motor running?

Sunsets and 2 strokes :) Bright color always looks good on these bottoms!

Just D**n
 

I did not think I'd like a red bottom BUT now change of heart........just beautiful. Its not the time its the joy and by that enjoy!!

Ed

Nice she looks great!! I'm on the 5 year plan myself and trying to get it splashed in the coming weeks ahead.. Good luck and have a great season!!

Great job. She's beautiful! Great to see it "finished".

I can truly appreciate your persistence, Rich. Looks fantastic...job well done.