Project boats
 

After looking over the archives it seems that the 20 CC Sea Craft is what a majority of people are restoring, is this due to the fact that there aren't many 23's around or the fact most people don't have the room for the 23's in there garage or is it the $$$$ factor?? I have been halfheartedly looking for a 23 with really no success any tips on where I should focus my attention?

Re: Project boats
 

I think your reasoning is dead on here are the #'s

# of Potter built 20's =2988
# of Potter built 23's = 1750

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those numbers include all variations CC's, Scepters, I/O's inboards etc etc

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In my case it wasn't so much the money,although I do believe you can find a 20 for less than a 23,but more of what you plan to do with the boat.As far as when you get into the restoration,it can be rather expensive.After doing a few different boats,it always ended taking twice as long and costing twice as much as first anticipated.

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There are boats around. You really have to dig to find good deals. Be ready to travel to pick up a boat. I had to drive to Michigan to get mine. I live on the Cape too. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Living in NE doesn't help as boats around here are more expensive than other parts of the country.

What are looking for and what can you afford at purchase time? If you show up at someones doorstep with a fist full of fifty's, you have a better shot at negotiating the price. But be prepared to spend a hell of lot more than you think on restoration if that's the plan. I've had mine for 3 - 4 years now in "restoration mode" and I'm still not done.

What are you looking for exactly and how much can you spend?

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BINGO

Call first, but then drive like a mofo, remember fist full of fifty's [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

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I have actually been eyeing that boat waiting to see if his price drops, I have emailed the owner! I am a CMF, dont mind traveling, just made a trip to Michigan to buy a boat that was supposed to be mint and I basically drove out and turned around, this one was a 20'. How much dough can I expect to spend on a restoration project?? I have tools, air compressor and have been offered help by someone who knows what they are doing, besides the motor what can I expect to spend roughly?? Dropping 35K into a 23 Sea Craft to get it the way I want it doesn't scare me, have you seen the prices on the new ones?????? I have been looking at 7 year old 21 Contenders that are in the high 20's low 30's

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The jury is still out on my seacraft as far as cost.But the 18' skiff I posted here on the site was about 6500.00 in materials,I did all the work,so no labor cost.God knows how much I spent on beer though!

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I put right around $40K into a 1971 20' (that includes the trailer), so you can go as high or low as you want. Putting that amount into a 23' restoration would have yielded a pretty nice boat as well but the 20' was better suited to my primary needs: fly and light tackle fishing within 15 miles of shore and typically alone.

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$14-15,000 in my 20'MA & I can't remember if that included the rolls trailer?I, like You had No care in the cost cause the $$$$ of a New one was more than that & I knew & now know what I have ! My down Payment on the Rybovich I had My eye on paid for the restore.
Scream'n Reels'
Tug [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

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I totally agree with the total produced numbers here but be advised that most 20' SeaCrafts have the "wet feet" issue (much more than the 23's ) just because of their configuration, the self bail scuppers, low floor & transom height plays a big part. In addition, most (I said most as some have) 20's did not have the side vents like the 23's. These vents, I'm sincerely convinced, ventilate the bilges keeping the moisture out of the bilge, which everyone knows, gets absorbed into the wood. I have not been aware of a 23' SeaCraft with bad decks unless it was misused by its owners over the years and not properly sealed at the seats, hatch hinges, T-Top stanchions and console screws etc.

My 23' is 28 years young and the original balsa wood deck remains solid. I have had one area of concern ( 8"x8") that after cutting it out, proved to be a delamination area above the stringer not rot. This is common where the area is prone to stepping on over and over, such as either port or starboard side adjacent to the console. Maybe I tend to be more anal when it comes to "spit & polishing" my investment but again, as an experienced SeaCraft owner, I have found that a stringent maintenance program from paint,electronics,wiring,gelcoat,motors and proper trailer setup will help ensure it's longevity [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Good Luck with your search want2fish

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I found my '78 23' cc by being in the right place at the right time paid 2000.00 for the boat, rough but working trailer, and the running but very well used pair of johnson 150's the boat needs quite a bit of work but is solid and very fishable. I don't think the previous owner did not really know the what he had. I'm not shure but i think i got a pretty good deal.

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For 2k I would of bought it with a hole in the bottom!

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I think the 23's outnumber the 20's here at the beach at least 10 to 1. i know of 4- 23's currently for sale, 2 at dealerships and 2 privately owned. 1 sceptre with twin i/o's in the paper <6K, 1 c/c with i/o- will need some work, 1-23 inboard- needs cosmetic work on the hull, 1 -23 sceptre that i havnt even stopped to look at but looks nice- i think i only know 3 20's locally, 2 of which are newer models.

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23's have less issues that need to be addressed than 20's do. A new transom and a fresh engine will solve most of the issues with the older 23's. The 20's need a longer list of modifications to make them usable by todays standards.

As Capt Chuck mentioned, if you have a 20' SeaCraft with the original floor in it, you are very likely familiar with plugs in the scuppers to keep the water out. Additionally, unless you have the "Master Angler" model, the early 20's didn't allow for under-gunnel rod storage except via two odd slots up forward. Add to that an oversized console for the boat and you start to get an idea why many people on this site have made significant changes to their 20's.

The 23's seemed better thought out from the get-go. A 30 year old SeaCraft 23' compares favorably with current boats that size by other manufacturers. A 30 year old 20' has some drawbacks that simply don't exist on other current 20' boats.

Merely my opinions-

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Tell me about it...

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I paid $560.00 on eBay for a 23 Secptre with a crashed nose.
Paid $1400 for a used trailer, plus $300 for new tires.
Drove 1675 miles round trip, 1 night in a motel, fed two friends that helped me get the boat, plus $400 for diesel.
God only knows how much the re-do will be once I get to it.
Bottom line, 78 Potter Hull----- PRICELESS !! http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...Picture023.jpg
See ya, Ken

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In addition to the numbers and the $$$ issue . . . I suspect that the 20ft appeals to more folks b/c they are smaller and easier to trailer. The 20ft'r will also allow you access to inshore spots where you can't take the 23.

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I think Ikan and Bigshrimpin got it right. Luckily I have a 79 MA that came with a 25 inch transom and scupper holes out the transom instead of underneath (as in the 78 MA for instance). Slightly modified ball scuppers keep our feet dry and she self bails when docked, even with a Honda 130 "anvil" on the back.
Regardless of the topside configuration, that soft riding vd hull gives any seacraft 20 the versatility of shallow water work yet the ability to handle some pretty nasty stuff out front. It trailers and launches easily too.

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Hey Nobones, I was bidding aginst you. But the guy got me the damage pictures too late.
I told him that I would buy it if you backed out. But he said you were willing to go 10K on it in a bidding war.
And if you backed out I would have to pay closer to that.
I think he was a bit of a dreamer.
I hope you post the repair pictures as it goes. It 's hard to see from the angle shown but it's a challeging repair. I was looking forward to another fixer, but that would be a cool boat done.
I was going to make a wooden mold of the broken pieces and make new bow parts to glass in.

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NoBones, By the way, That boat would have gone to Oak hill FL or Oak Hills CA. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

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Hey Trayder any idea how many 23'cc built in 1978

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Decided on the 20' for it's versatility. It can fish in 2' of water or 40 miles offshore. I've got friends with big boats if I feel the need to run way offshore in snotty weather. Picked up an '81 MA running and usable boat with 25" transom, original floor scuppers and mostly cosmetic issues and things I want to do "my way" which I suspect is the reason many boats become project boats. Wanted the MA for the higher gunnels and increased rod storage. However I would jump on a 23' 0r 20' Seafari(cool boats) if the price was right and I had the storage space. Just decide what you want, be patient and be ready to buy RIGHT NOW. Have the cash or cashiers check in you pocket when you look at the boat because If you don't the next guy might. A friend from the Keys called Monday about a 23'CC down there for 3K.Just keep looking. Tight Lines, Tarpun

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I have that info at my office, should be there monday

keep on me and I will post it

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Hey Big Mike,
If he told you that he was trying to squeeze you.
Even Capt Chuck, was going to take a run on it.
After we picked it up and got a good chance to look
at it, the damage is not all that bad. We loaded the thing at 8:00 pm after driving 14 hours straight. Turned around the next morning a headed back to Daytona (everybody knows Daytona) another 14 hours. We were all beat, even though we switched off drivers. We used Tarpun's 1 ton diesel Ford van to tug her back. After a good nights sleep, gave the
boat a full inspection, no soft spots anywhere, stripped of eveything. except for one big hornets nest in the forward starboard vent. Right now she will have to wait about 4 months till our new home and monster garage is done. I will take plenty of pictures and keep all posted on the progress.
I restored my 1970 20SF 12 years ago. It was a complete gut
inside and out. $27,000 invested. Can't wait to start the
Secptre, plan to replace transom and raise to 25 inch or
close in and bracket, the jury is still out yet on that.
Thanks for the encouragement. Also your ride would have been
a heck of alot further. probably a 3 day trip.
See ya, Ken

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ditto on what the others have said regarding the 20 versus the 23. The 23 SeaCraft is a large 23 foot boat. When placed next to a 23 formula there is a noticable size difference. They are truely a battleship. I've had the pleasure of fishing in Bigshrimpin's 20 MA and it is a sweet riding boat. It can handle the snot. The other day we were able to fish a small ditch in his 20 Ma and we would never have been able to get my 23 in that spot. The 20's are just easier to get around in both in the water and out. A guy really needs two boats a 23 and a 20 in my opinion. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

strick

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Want2 - what is a CMF? Where do you boat? and what do you fish for on the cape?

I hope this is "ok" to post this link. Check out this boat in NY. 8K for a 23CC
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/9/3/81543193.htm

This one is in FL. for 17K
http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/2/8/81231628.htm

I also know of another 23cc with a 200 Merc in Medford, MA . . . the owner was going through a divorce (he wanted 12k).


I couldn't agree more with strick. a 23 and a 20 would be the perfect combo for inshore and offshore (especially on the cape [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] )

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Have you had any luck finding the 23' you were looking for?

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Check out Yachtworld.com there are some nice deals on a few 23ftr's.

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Sorry for the delay have been out of town at mother in laws for the holiday, I fish for Bass, Cod, Fluke, and would like to venture off for a little shark fishing! I had a Hydra Sports 24' Vector and sold it to free up dough for an investment, hence the search for a cheap boat that needs work that I can drop money into bits at a time. I may be in luck while sitting around fat and bored after Thanksgiving I decided to go out and buy there edition of the want ad and found a 23' Formula I/O so I called and decided to take an hour drive to see it, we'll start with the good bottom of boat is immaculate original gel a few nicks, the sides will need awlgrip a bit faded and some nicks and scratches, the top deck is nice as well as gunnels, brightwork is mint this boat was fresh water used only, the bow rail on one side is bent a bit will need fixing, now to the bad stuff, the I/O is removed THANK GOD [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] the transom needs work as well as 4' of the stringers, there may be some good though as they have removed the floor and the wet foam that was in there, the gas tank bulkheads also need replacing, and the cabin needs work. I can buy this boat and trailer for $ 1000.00 trailer will need some TLC but I should get a year out of it as it is not galvy or AL but painted steel. Whatta ya think??

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$200. How is the fuel tank? and core in the laminate above the cabin? No motor, no power, trailer needs to be junked. No one else is gonna buy a boat in that condition [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] around christmas.

Make sure you want/have time to take on the project. The boat will probably cost you $10K+ (materials, power) to redo and you'll probably miss next fishing season.

I think you're better off buying a working 20 or 23 seacraft. Seacrafts also hold there value better than a redone formula.

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So depressing [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I should have never sold my boat, been looking at boats for a few months now and realize I sold too cheap for one and I keep my stuff up better than 99% of people that own boats [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] Theres gotta be a boat out there somewhere for me, guys if ya see a 23 on the side of the road worth looking at drop me a line, have traveled 2400 miles so far this month whats another thousand [img]/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img] Or you guys with the beautiful restored 23's could always make a giant donation [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

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Gotta friend thats on His 4th attempt at selling His 23'.If there was ever one that I would own its this one. I/O 351 ?
Re-wired etc. He's getting the list together & $. I'm also getting Pics.Gonna put it on here first then Trayder.We'll see if He goes thru with the sale this time.It only gets used a few times a year.
Tug [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

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i have a 20cc in the for sale section of this site...its located in Maine. let me know if you are interested.

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I updated the reference site with a .PDF of the production numbers from 1970-1980 click HERE