20'cc versus 23'cc
 

I presently own an 18' Wellcraft cc which is up for sale. I would like to purchase an older Seacraft but I am not sure if the 20'cc would ride much differant than what I have now. I am looking for a much smoother and drier ride. the boat would mainly be used on Barnegat Bay in N.J. which can get pretty rough at times. I have not had the opportunity to ride in either the 20'cc or the 23'cc so I can't compare them. There is a wealth of knowledge on this site and any information you could share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help.
Jerry

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

The 20' and 23' are two very different boats. Although it sounds like only 3' of difference on paper, the 23' is a much much larger boat than the 20'.

Smooth ride? yeah, either one will give you a good ride for their length. A "dry" ride? - is there such a thing in boats this small?! (I've been soaked in both models on the right day).

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

A 20' seacraft would be big upgrade in ride quality from a 20' wellcraft. Going from an 18W to a 20S will be like going to heaven. Going to a 23S would be even better.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

There is no doubt that the ride between a Wellcraft and a SeaCraft is night and day.I ran a 21 50 miles offshore a bunch and never gave it a second thought,very soft ride!Dry,now that is a little different story.Lets face it we are talking about little boats.In a sea they are going to be wet.Spray rails do help,but there just isn't enough waterline to be called "dry".Now,I grew up running big sport boats,so my definition of "dry" may be different than others.However,in my opinion there isn't a better center console hull around than a SeaCraft,I'm having my 3rd one redone now.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

Jerry,

I lived on LBI for 18 years and had a 20' Robalo and then a 23 SC. Without a doubt you need the 23'. It will keep you dry, safe and above all confident! Barnegat inlet can be bad and that afternoon wind that always seems to kick up can knock your teeth out. Good luck with your decision.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

Absolutely, no doubt - go with a 23' for all the reasons stated above.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

Do like the rest of us. Collect them all!! [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]
Every man should have at least 2 boats [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
See ya, Ken

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

I spend three to four weeks each year fishing on my 23' out of Highbar Harbor (by Barnegat Light).

I had a 20 Hydra-Sport before I got my 23 SeaCraft. I would take the 23 SeaCraft for many different reasons (especailly if you want to boat around the Inlet or run out to places like Barnegat Ridge).

The only two knocks I have on my 23 are 1) it is a gas guzzler and 2) I hit bottom several times this summer in the bay in places that i wuld not have hit bottom on my 20. (For those of you who are not familiar with Barnegat bay there are very very tricky spots).

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

I've owned both. Without a doubt...go with the 23.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

Having given this some more thought, I agree that you should consider owning both the 20' and the 23'.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

The SC 20 is by far the softest riding 20 boat that I have been on. (I own a 2001 SC 20MA). I have also fished 60 miles off shore in a SC 23 and felt very safe.
If most of the time you fish very rough rips, 10 miles or more off shore, early and late in the season then the 23 is a better choice. If you are more of an inshore, summer/early fall guy then the 20 will do very well. There is a big difference in fuel use; the 23 will use almost twice as much. A SC 20 rigged with a new 4 stroke or etech around 150 hp is very fuel-efficient.
I would think that the SC 20 would be fine for Barnegat Bay.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

Does your 2001 20'cc have the same hull as the older models?

I use the boat mostly for tranportation in and around the bay, visiting friends going out to dinner as well as some fishing. I love the lines of these boats and I want something that doesn't look or ride like the rest. Something that will get peoples attention. I like being a little different and so many of these new boats are just plain ugly. All these discussions give me a lot to think about but perhaps the 20'cc will satisfy my needs best.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

Jerry

I believe my 2001 20MA hull is exactly the same as earlier 20 MA except it has a higher 25in transom rather than the 20in transom of older boats. My model is the Lefty Kreg version with a coffin box in front of the console. Perhaps Tracker Marine were more careful with that model?

Below is my post in a thread about old verses new SC in thehulltruth.com

Fit and finish good with quality components (Edson wheel, brass thru hull fittings, flush bow lights - cleats)
A truly great boat - turns heads every where, very good ride (soft), pretty stable at drift, economical to run, can cruise at 33 mph - WOT 47 mph.
Feels and handles the water like a bigger boat.

Seacraft owners like their Boats.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

Is this really true? I know my 20' rig does well with fuel, but would a 23 use double? [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Just Curious? [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

You'd have to ask some 23' owners what their burn rate is, but I'm getting an honest 5mpg with the Suzy 140 on my 20' at a cruise speed of 30mph (Floscan reading 6gph at 30mph) ...and that's with a full 75 gallon tank of $3.69/gallon gas

I've seen 23's powered with large thirsty engines burn 3x that much gas at 30pmh. All depends on what engine you have I guess.

Then again, you can handle a much rougher day in a 23'

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

With my twin 150 HP Yamaha 1998 carb engines I get a great 1.5 miles per gallon. Maybe a little better, but not much better.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

Thanks for all your replies, they give me plenty to think about before I decide what to buy.
Jerry

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

One more choice for you, the Seacraft 21 cc, I own a 1998 model and have owned a 1988 Seacraft 20 cc, while the 20 rode great the 21 is a bigger boat in many ways, and with a 200 e-tec the gas usage is not too bad, probably the same as the 20 with a carbed 150 with a lot of hours.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

Do you know what year they started making the 21'cc.

Re: 20'cc versus 23'cc
 

'97 or '98