SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

Hello everyone, looking to make the move to Seacraft/or similar. I have a Chris Craft 215 Scorpion/Cuddy. With Hardtop, and Filled in Transom and Stainless marine OB bracket/platform.
It has a very agressive and Deep vee however it Now pounds in bigger seas i guess weight of hardtop forward. I want something in center console with very agressive v. I could take or leave the nostalgia. I see that Palm beach 236 and key Largo 235 have a very similar hull to the 23 seacraft. Was this boat formed from the seacraft molds, if not how were they able to copy/legally.
Is it a close/accurate copy in regard to performance ? :D

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

I'm not familar with them, although there have been copies and take offs over the years, plus the patent ran out as well. I'm not sure why you wouldn't just look here and some other places for a 23 that has been redone already, there have been a couple nice ones lately. The difference is you will never lose money on a REAL SeaCraft and they can be copied but never duplicated. It also has to do with how they were built and the hardware that was used ect ect but they are usually priced very reasonable. If when selling the first thing someone says is " its a SeaCraft copy" why not find out why they all copied it :D

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

I here the 21 sailfish is a seacraft copy???? I have looked at them and they are very very close if not the same?

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

also my buddy turf time is selling his 23 picturesd on in the for sale section ita a 78 23 twin 175 johnsons

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

The 18, 21, 23, and 26 Sailfish are all copies. The 18 Sailfish was originally made from original Seacraft molds in the late 80's, but used plywood in the stringers.
The Key West 18 and 20, Palm Beach 21, Islander 21 and 23 are all Seacraft hull copies. I think the first 3 or 4 Contender 25 center consoles hulls back in '85 or '86 were VDH, as well. I read somewhere that more than 12 different builders were now using the VDH design, for boats from 17' to 65' in length.

Contender then changed the hull design while still in their 1st year of production to a hull similar to the mid 70's Formula 233 / Regal 24 hull.

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

Contender never used a seacraft hull. I know this from the co-founder.

Yes the palm Beach is a copy of seacraft hull it is a very nice boat rides great tough as nails but does not have the finished interior of a seacraft. If you are looking for a less expensive alternative without the fit and finish the palm beach is a good route to take.

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

Thanks everyone... for the input, facts and opinions.
If I do go with an older nostalgic seacraft it will have to be a 23 with an i/0 pref. diesel or have enclosed transom w/ outboard bracket. I know that is narrowing my chances on an already rare boat. I am working on trying to obtain a rare 21'8" Seacraft cuddy that I have not seen before with an I/O. I will cut out the cuddy and convert to CC. Has an incredible hull on it.

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

If that's the Offshore 21 up in St. Augustine area, please talk to Skip & Carla (Skipper T/65 Bowrider) before you cut it up! Someone already did that to theirs! Maybe you could work a swap! It's a VERY rare and historically significant model (see www.moeslyseacraft.com for more info); would be a shame to destroy such a rare original!

If you want a 23 cc, they are much easier to find. There have been many of them for sale on this site.

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

Time is money bro, why start cutting boats up, plenty of project CC's out there

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

I have the feever now for a seacraft, I have not seen any other boat where their owners rave so much. Is the ride really that good? should I sea trial a new one just to get an idea of ride? I am looking for a fishing machine where I dont have to be so selective about the days i go due to wave conditions.I have a very agresive V on the entry and Deadrise(23 deg.), it still slams. I prefer an I/O with center console.

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

Do whatever you have to do to try a Seacraft. I did when I was a teenager and have never owned anything but a Seacraft. You will be impressed.

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

The i/o or inboards are not fast boats, but they are probably the best riding 23' boats you will ever ride on. The outboards run faster, and are a little less stable at rest or anchor, but they ride great too.

When I was looking to change boats, I sea trialed over a dozen different boats in the 22-25' class, and IMHO, these are the best riding 23' boats on the market. I run a Sceptre that has the cockpit more than 1/2 way forward, vs many center consoles that put the console much closer to the transom. If that hull pounded, it would kill the driver of a Sceptre. In most seas, my boat rides better in the cockpit 1/2 forward, then most CC's do on the transom.

Ride on one an let us know what you think.

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

Potter-built SeaCrafts are the best.

I have owned an '81 Tiara-Pursuit 25 cc, '77 Welcraft V20, '83 248 Fisherman & '87 34' Scarab Raider, an '86 Checkmate 21' Starflite, '73 Boston Whaler 13 & '69 16', '76 Glastron 21, a '71 Cacci Craft 15', a '73 SlickCraft SS160, a '74 Cruise Boat 17', and a '47 Matthews 46'.

I have sold new Boston Whaler, Mako, SeaCraft, Alisson, Tiara, Wellcraft, FourWinns, Century, and Grady Whites to name a few.

I have owned 20' Seafaris (2 of them), a 23 Master Angler, a 23' Tsunami, and a 23' Superfisherman.

Nothing, repeat, NOTHING compares to a SeaCraft when seas get bigger than knee-high.

Re: SeaCraft --Key Largo-Palm Beach Copies
 

Yes! You Go! Fr.Frank. Thats What I want to Hear. I believe this. You said it with conviction. Sold! Bye Bye Offshore Chris Craft, Hello Seacraft I am not going to chance it with Seacraft copy. I want to be done with buying boats and trading up. Thank you!