1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

I have a chance to buy this boat with a 1996 225hp Johnson V6....Boat looks to be in great shape...Was this a good year for seacraft-tracker...This is the cuddy model...Your input about this boat is greatly appreciated.....Tim

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

price determines whether this is a good deal or not. there were apparently good and bad hulls in every era

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Capt. Tim,

I have a 1989 23 CC that was pretty well put together. The gas tank was foamed in and leaking (replaced it). As we are doing a full renovation, what mattered most was that the hull and liner were well built. We are replacing everything else. This has been argued to death, but I personally feel it's a good candidate for upgrading/renovating.

It comes down to price and how much work you are willing to do. Although there is no current day cuddy model, replacement cost new for a 23' SeaCraft hull with the same power is around US $60,000.

What's the asking price?

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

I've never seen a 96 Cuddy model. Maybe a 85 to 87 cuddy/walk around. Are you sure its not an older vintage Sea Craft that may have been restored in 1996. I've seen people list older restored boats as new in the year they were restored. I'd ask a few more questions and look for signs of what year it may have been built...

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Otto, the asking price is 13,900....New Bimini with eisenglass enclosure....Furuno 600L ... Garmin 216...icom VHF Lowrance x-85 Lenco electric trim tabs

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Don, the engine is a 1996...The hull is a 1988....Tim [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

That makes better sence. There's one down here by me, it's pretty nice. I don't think he paid too much for it. Everytime I see one come up they don't seem to go insane amounts of money.

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Chris, what is insane amounts of money? Tim

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Tim,

Is there a trailer? Either way, that price may be a tad high. Only because I KNOW there is money to be spent bring her up to par.

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Otto, no trailer....What would be a good offer but not insulting? I would definitely replace the gas tank (144) gallons....it is the original...What did you pay for tank replacement?

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

About what your taking about, maybe a little more. You don't see all that many of them either. I wonder how many were produced?
13900 sounds like a good deal to me if it's reasonibly clean.

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Capt Tim,
My father has the '82 version of this boat, and it's a nice setup. IMO the major drawback is bow access and being able to fight a fish around the boat, but otherwise they can't be beat for protection from the elements with a full canvas and curtains. The cuddy is very small and only good for storage, or maybe for a couple kids to take a nap, so you're not going to do any overnighting.

Regarding the model year, I think you'll find that overall construction was on par with the older boats, but the hardware was substandard. One of the other members, JohnB, has the same year you're looking at, so hopefully he can offer you some guidance.

As far as the asking price, I think it's fair for the Northeast market, as long as it's clean.

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

DUH...my bad..I feel like such an Otto..... lol

Don't get all mad Otto .. just fun'n with you Lake boy.. I mean Otto.. sorry ..I'm a sick person.. I can't help myself some times..

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Tim,

The fuel tank was around $800, plus freight, new hoses and my labor. Without a trailer (it is a trailer boat, after all), and with a good motor, I'm thinking $10,000. Naturally, as others have commented, condition of the overall boat and particularly the floors and TRANSOM. If all is REALLY good, then, perhaps more...

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Tim, I have a 1989 23 Walkaround and have had it since new. I have used it on saltwater here in Puget Sound since Feb 1989 and I really can't complain about the boat. It has treated me well. I have kept it inside my pole barn since new so it only see the sun when I am out running. I have power steering and trim tabs and powered with a 89-200 Mercury and a 15 hp Honda for a kicker. Who told you you have a 144 gal fuel tank? Mine has a 115 gal. I had my choice between the cuddy or WA and chose the WA, sometimes wish I had the cuddy for the extra room. With 1996 engine, that sounds like a fair price, don't know if I would let mine go for that. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Capt Tim,
I have an 88 version 23' sceptre with a 250 merc efi. I really like the boat alot. They don't command as much respect/price as the Center Consoles, but they have the same hull. As far as ride, you are further forward in the cockpit than you are in the CC model when driving. You can probably run a little faster in the CC since you are further back. I looked at the Walkaround models, and although you get more protection, the cockpit was too cramped for my style. As far as construction in the 88/89 models, I don't know of any problems. Rigging is suspect, and the wiring is probably shot or been replaced. It has the typical old seacraft problems that are pretty well documented on this site.
If you have any further questions, post back, or give me a call, and I might be able to help you out. Personally, I think these boats are a great value compared to some of the more inflated CC models.

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Thanks guys for your input...Just kind of afraid to pull the trigger on an older boat and the work involved.... JOHN B, the livewell in the floor fills up when the boat is at rest and then empties when you are running....Don't like the idea of a boat filling with water ...Does yours do that?.....Tim

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

The live bait well is controlled by a pump and has diversion switches to shut off. I have never used mine, or the saltwater washdown, so I put a cap over the intake on the transom. I also use plugs in the drains so I know if there is water there or the fish box. My fish box (between the seats) drains into the hull, that is as dumb a setup as I ever seen. [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

1996 big block OMC's.... You want to get the serial number off the engine and take it to a Bomb dealer. Have him run the number for the work history. Certain serial number runs of the big V6's had problems with the bolts vibrating loose that hold the upper main crankshaft bearing in place. Under the flywheel on top of the block you'll see the ring of bolts in the keeper plate. Some engines didn't get the thread cutting oil complately flushed out of the bolt holes causing the locktite not to grab. Like I said it was only certain serial number runs and I think I remember some late 95's being included.

If the bolts come loose the engine will destroy the crankshaft and I've even heard of flywheels coming through the engine covers at 5000rpms.. The cure is simple. Just remove the bolts, flush the holes good with acetone and reinstall the bolts with locktite to their torque spec.

OMC had a TSB out about this, so any dealer can look up the serial number. First to see if the engine was in the serial number run, then to see if the required fix was done on that engine if it needed it..

Re: 1988 23 ft Seacraft Tracker
 

Sorry it took a while to get back.
The livewell was an engineering mistake on that model.
I tried several workarounds, and now have a pretty good setup. If you get the boat, let me know, and I will shoot you some pictures. It will take about 80 bucks and 2 hours to fix, and you won't have a problem with it again. I really think these boats are a great value if you are looking for a seacraft hull, especially if you run in all kinds of weather (like I do). If you have any questions, PM me, and we can talk on the phone about it.