Classic vs new
 

OK.......I've been looking for a while now for a nice redone 20 cc. I've done the math many times. If I buy a hull for 4-5k and
raise floor, transon, new fuel tank, gel coat, add a T-top, new Suzuki 140, new trailor,basic electronics I have spent as much or more than a new one unless I find one done. Seen many partly done but if I want primo (Ikan Bezar) then it's 35k+.

Serious question here. I love the classics but are they THAT much better than a new one with warrenty these days?

Re: Classic vs new
 

What a terrific question...

Re: Classic vs new
 

Thats easy .... You do what you want to the boat ... not what some corporation thinks is best.
Ikan's boat is the perfect example ...He now has what he wants.

Its easy to buy any boat ... it much more rewarding doing it your way ....Its custom !!

Going out on a limb ...I'm speaking for many ...but if we didn't like the old ones this site wouldnt be here

Re: Classic vs new
 

Even better, if you have 40K to buy new, you can pay a professional to restore a boat for you. New custom boat.

Re: Classic vs new
 

I think that is a question that depends on the individual buyer. Tell you what Fiasco, I can arrange for you to ride on a brand new one and mine on the same day if you are in the area. YOU would be the best person, after seeing both, to answer your question.

I knew going into it that I would be spending more on a redo than had I gone to the dealer and bought a new one off the lot. It may be a case of me needing my head examined, but I had fairly specific ideas of what I was after and it took two single-space typed pages to enumerate those to the person that built mine. I had spent time in the new ones, the "classic 20'", the new "Lefty Kreh/Master Angler" edition, and the new 21'. All of the new ones I spent time fishing out of were nice boats. I just had a list of things that I wanted and those didn't exist on those boats. If you'd like to contact me directly, I can be more specific about what I wanted and what those three were missing for my intended usage.

When I was getting ready to have mine done, you couldn't have a SeaCraft rigged with anything other than a Mercury. That has changed and you can get them with various power options now. At the time, Mercury didn't have a suitable four-stroke and that was something I really wanted.

The fittings/hardware, while adequate on the current factory boats, are not up to the standard I wanted. The rigging on the current factory boats....well, let's just say that if I want to visit the Amazon Jungle, I'll fly to Brazil.

I started planning my redone 1971 20' when I still had a different SeaCraft (a 1976 18'). This allowed me to really think about what features I wanted to retain, which aspects really bothered me, etc. Additionally, I had the opportunity to spend time around the boats owned by members on this site (both SeaCraft and non-SeaCraft boats) which directly affected some features on my current 20'.

To get back to your question about whether the old ones are "that much" better than the new ones? I would have a really tough time accepting a blanket statement like that. While there are some aspects on the new ones that I think come up short, that can just as accurately be said about the old ones in their original configuration.

One other thing to consider: if you want a new one, you can be using it by tomorrow afternoon. A custom redo is going to take some time. You are correct in your cost analysis: a redo to the extent that mine was done will not save you a single penny over buying a new one.....but when I take mine in for each 100 hour service, you should see all the guys at the SeaCraft dealer drool.

If the new ones have everything you want in a boat, I'd buy one and go fishing.

Re: Classic vs new
 

Do you live in Miami?

If so I would really like to get together and see what you have done before embarking on my redo

Let me know if I can see your boat sometime

Re: Classic vs new
 

I forgot to add ... No one should go and buy one of these boats thinking it’s a "Good Deal". If done right Much Much more money will go into this hull then will ever come out, but thats just part of owning a boat. You need to know that going in. As I said before you know what you have... wiring, structure, gauges, trim work, consoles, tops leaning post...even colors…. and on and on.

Fellowship, and others, have said much the same when this question has been posed before.

Many owners have been involved in boats much of their lives and have certain ideas for their perfect boat ... These hulls are the perfect foundation for their perfect boat.

Re: Classic vs new
 

I'm up the road in Stuart. I'll be back there in two weeks and you're welcome to come see the boat anytime you want. For reasons I won't go into, I now post under a different user name than I used to. Chances are pretty good that you've already seen the boat: http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...5&o=&fpart=all

Re: Classic vs new
 

Anything to do with "THAT" picture of You ?
Heebie Jeebie's :eek: :) :D :D ;)

Re: Classic vs new
 

yep, that's it exactly!
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f34/LSR_Jeff/Dork.gif

Re: Classic vs new
 

Yes I have seen your boat and I love what you've done it her.

Love the console and I intend to get one from Mike @ wildfire soon.

I wish mine looks 1/2 as nice as your when I'm done

Re: Classic vs new
 

35K is way too much!! If you're going to pay someone to do all the work then maybe . . . but that figure is really high. Personally I like the new 20 seacrafts with the flush deck . . . especially the coffin box edition :)


If 35k is your budget . . . You're options are very good. (i.e. 23 seacraft with a new 250 suzuki or used Contender 21)

Re: Classic vs new
 

It all depends on what you want in the final product. There are $15 rod holders and there are $85 rod holders. You can cut all manner of economic corners, but if you use the best ingredients, a pimped out old 20' that rivals or outdoes the new ones is going to cost something.

Re: Classic vs new
 

New v. Old...

I'd say go with a old boat and either restore it yourself, if you have the time, passion, energy and skill, or have it professionally restored by an experienced SC restoration crew.

If you restore an old boat, you will be getting a truly custom one-off boat. It will be as unique as your signature. The new production line boats can't claim that.

Second: Quality. I hate to bash Sea Craft, but they no longer have as great reputation they once had. The quality levels are seriously down. Like I said, I'm sorry to say something negative about these boats, but I've personally known people who had them, and had nothing but trouble.

Third: Warranty you say. Sure it looks good on paper, but will they really honor it. As a legal professional I can tell you that many companies issue warranties, but end up either not honoring it at all, or honoring it halfheartedly hoping you'll give up and leave them alone. It's a lot easier for a large company like Tracker to screw with you then it is for a small restoration shop. Furthermore, a small restoration shop usually relies on word of mouth....so you know the job is done right, and if for some reason something happens later on, it will be fixed.

Third, and MOST IMPORTANTLY: If you restore a classic Sea Craft, you own a small piece of American maritime history!

Re: Classic vs new
 

Mark - That's true!! There are ways to keep cost down and keep quality of the restore high. Ebay, Dania Flea market, Marine Connection Liquidators, etc . . . edsmarinesuperstore or Pelicans Nest Marina. All that's required is time . . . my point is that you can do a restore for a lot less than 35k . . . it's just not going to look as beautiful as Mark's boat. :)

Re: Classic vs new
 

Bigshrimpin,

I'd be the first to agree that you can spend far less than $35K. Mine was perfectly functional when I bought it, but it didn't compare very well against a new one. With some work and upgrades, the old ones can compare favorably next to the new ones as is the case with many that have been profiled on this site.

Re: Classic vs new
 

Could it be the Federal Witness Protection Program? :D
See ya, Ken

Re: Classic vs new
 

As grady has said . . . A warranty from Tracker is not worth much.

Re: Classic vs new
 

Thanks all for the advice. You said exactly what I thought you would(and afraid you would). Yes Ikan I have seen your boat before an chatted with you via mail. I am JWB and I also (for resons yet to be told) now am Fiasco. Your boat (and comments) keep me on this track. I'm afraid I will also go to your extreme in re doing the boat when I find one.......just my nature. Anyway, best advice I saw was again Ikan's. Buy an 18 or a 20 in addition to the project and slowly have it done my way while enjoying the SC. Punt the original boat at the end. As far as me doing the work....I cannot even change oil without calling 911. So project has to be done by the guys in Stuart or someone in their class. Never expected a deal, just had to ask the painful question.

Re: Classic vs new
 

Classic vs New,My project started as a Broke steering arm,While the motor was off the transom needed some luv, then paint, then well Just everything. I tried to put the best of everything I could knowing the Warranty would come from that Manufacture instead of a Company tring to get another company to stand behind theirs.If something happens aboard I know what, where & how to fix it.She should last quite a few more centuries too!The Older ones still turn Heads faster in bad or eXcelent shape. :) How much do I have in it Well --Yea right -- My WIFE may read this !
Surveyor appraised replacement cost at $30,000 at the time, More than a week old - New one would appraise at !
Tug :cool:

Re: Classic vs new
 

mr fiasco

me and peepaw and uncle rufus build yer secraft for a 500 dallars and 7 sixpacks a day. i hav sum left over parts from mr traders old bayliner we can use dem

http://momentoffame.com/photopost/da...rs_mentor1.jpg

Re: Classic vs new
 

Well on second thought maybe I can get a deal with these guys doing my boat......let's see:

$500 plus 7 six packs a day......Hmmm Bud is $4 a six pack times 7 a day that's $28 a day times for 5 years years at $28 a day equals $50,400 plus $10,500 for a motor plus 1,000 for electronics equals $61,900. Hmmm would you drink Old Milwaukee?

Re: Classic vs new
 

Spidercrab just might.....but as a result you might have two pointy ends on the boat! Better keep him well plied with Bud :D

Re: Classic vs new
 

Fiasco,

Get a new one and you own a seacraft....build one and you own a SEACRAFT....you are a member of a cult. My 23' has been 55 miles off shore, painted twice, repowered thrice, mucho custom goodies and its ALMOST done. My initial investment was 16.5k bought in Cape May, NJ and it was nice.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...tJuly05024.jpg
:cool:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...5-25-05234.jpg


Now it's one fine fishing machine. People drool over it every where I go which is kinda nice. Boating folk always have some story about a seacraft that was in their marina in the 70's. It was a boat far far ahead of it's time. I also own an Acura NSX which is the auto version of my SeaCraft. A car that was built in the 90's that can still keep up with Ferrari's and Porsche's today; just like my 23
SC can keep up with the best of them in 2006. It will take you a year to find the boat you want and another year to make it like you want it but that's what life is......

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...hinning026.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...hinning022.jpg
;)

Good luck with whatever you decide. It's great to see so many wonderful people helping each other in such a great site. When I die hopefully heaven will have a bunch of unrestored SeaCraft hulls which I can repower for free, sand without caughing up a lung and pleanty of ice cold 0 carb 5.5% beer.....And oh yeah a hot wife that doesn't get upset if you work on your SC late into the night. :cool:

Re: Classic vs new
 

Pasbt Blue Ribbon , Jax or schlitz !

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Brian-

Your boat looks real sharp. Do you really tow it with the XC90???

Ed

Re: Classic vs new
 

Ed, The xc90 is only rated to tow 3500. When I haul in or out the ramp is only a few miles from my home. She towes fine the little 5cyl turbo has plenty of torque and the disk brakes stop well. If the ramp has loose dirt it can be tough but otherwise I have had no troubles at all. I wouldn't feel comfortable taking it more than 20 miles max. When I first got the SC in '97 I had a toyota tacoma 4cyl picup. I used the bumper ball setup which was only rated for 2000lbs. It was alot slower but I never had a problem. Would not do that again! :o

Re: Classic vs new
 

Brian,
The boat looks great. Was that mini arch on there when you bought it or did you have it made?

Re: Classic vs new
 

Brian
Whats the thru hull next to the tab and then the one (painted) on the hull side?

I'm guessing one must be a scupper ?

I like the color :rolleyes: