New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

I have been watching this site and others for some time now and after many years of boating / fishing etc I would like to try the Sea Craft hull for a while. I believe the 23' CC to be the best choice for me as I trailer the boat to different areas depending on the bite and prefer offshore. I have had experience with outboard and I/O power systems and am familiar with the pro's & con's of both. I am looking for advice on the boat lengths and power options for an optimum choice in my first Sea Craft. The 23' CC with a straight inboard 350 or 454 / 496 / 502 etc seems like the best bet for me. Diesels are too expensive for my taste. But I see so many people opting for the $2500.00 dollar bracket and $18K - 23K outboards that I wonder if that is the best option although I would do it on the cheap with used gear. What is the general consensus on this subject. I guess I should target the 70's - early 80's hulls. How much if any wood is in the early hulls what are the weak areas I should be looking for, other than the obvious soft spots in the floor. :D

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

My 2 cents. If you're going more than 30 miles offshore, have a spare motor. Either rig twins, or have a kicker motor that will faithfully push you the however many miles offshore you plam on going.

I confess I am partial to outboards for boats under 30'. The new four-strokes and the Etec and Optimax motors are quiet and reliable, and very fuel efficient compared to motors of just 8-10 years ago. I personally am waiting for Mercury to truly introduce and market their diesel 2-stroke Optimax currently in testing. Rumor calls for a 90hp 3 cylinder and 175 hp 5 cylinder versions at first. These will be based upon the current mil-spec multi-fuel motors made for the military.

On the other hand, Maritime Engineering is due to release their 3 liter common rail 4 cylinder diesel outboards in 175, 225, and 300 hp versions next month. Weight is 775 lbs, and it uses the Mercruiser Bravo torpedo, props and gearset.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

you are right about twins. they can be invaluable in the event of simutaneous mechanical failure and inclement weather. thanks for your $00.02.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

Wet transoms are common in the SeaCrafts. Any probably every other make (but we don't know about other makes 'cause no one bothers to rebuild them):D. Brass scupper and drain tubes may need to be replaced (often a source of water coming in). Gunwale caps may need to be re-sealed and riveted or re connected with machine screw and nylock nuts.

You sound like you might be thrilled with a 23' Savage. I believe the Savage is fairly rare but I think a couple of guys have converted their Sceptres into Savages...Good luck.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

I need schooling on the models. What is the "savage" and is the Scepter always a cuddy? Is there more than one model in the CC's. Also I see alot of different lengths being advertised, 25', 24'8", 23', 21', 20' etc../ I assume some may be using model designations and others actual measurements. Is there a website that lists models and spec's of the early models?

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

Try some of these.

27’ Center Console/Pilothouse – a project

http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...part=all&vc=1]

http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=37689&page=&view=&sb=5&o= &fpart=all&vc=1[/url]

23’ Savage

http://www.classicseacraft.com/forum...=52556&Forum=]


There might be a 27’ Savage model, too.

Another starting point

http://moeslyseacraft.com/Brochures.aspx]

http://moeslyseacraft.com/Brochures.aspx[/url]

Good luck and there is more if you look around. I'm sure others will chime in as well,

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

http://www.classicseacraft.com/specifications.htm

The 23 straight inboards are rare, difficult to find. If you find one in good shape its a great option.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

Deeep Thought you are in luck ! I live 3 miles outside of Wilson. I have a '78 23 CC and you are more than welcome to come over and check it out.My name is Bill Putney and you can reach me at 252-245-4487.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

My nephew has a '76 20 CC that is immaculate that he would like to sell .It has been completely renovated and is in Wilmington .Custom cover , the works .

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

Good decision on a Sea Craft. As far as choices; I guess it depends on what you want it to do - AND who you ask. I chose the inboard for fuel economy, ease of maintainence, cheaper to re-power etc.

Last fall there were 2 for sale, a diesel in Maryland and a gas in Florida. I can look to see if they are still for sale if you are interested. If you are looking for a project - there was that one on Ebay from Tx.....

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

Great talking to WWP2. look forward to seeing your 23.
================================================== ===
And thanks to you Tucker for your input, yes if you have the info on those 2 I would like to have it.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

If you check the Miami and Ft. Myers Craigs list you will see that there are 2 CC inboards for sale.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

The boat in Florida is sold and can't find the info on the diesel - sorry.

One of the boats from Craig's list has a bad engine - if the hull is decent, repowering it is straight forward and not expensive.

Good hunting.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

I saw a 25' in palm beach with a 454 straight drive, that sounds right on the spot for me. It's just too far away for me to get to at the moment. I perused the brochures mentioned above and did not see a 25' CC built in that time frame. I wondered if it was a sceptre conversion.

There is one in Newport, NC that looks real good, it's a "POTTER" 23' CC with twin 120hp rudes (1990 model engines I think) one running and one not with a standard notched transom and a nice trailer but at $10K it's a bit pricey with one bad motor and the other unknown. Both in bad need of paint. I plan to go see it though if still available the next time I go to MHC.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

WHAT'S THE GENERAL CONSENSUS on the best power configuration and horsepower between outboard, I/O and inboard. Was a jackshaft ever available? I have seen the outboard 23' models range from twin 120hp on up to the big singles. The inboard 23' models range from small diesels to big block 454ci. And the I/O's from ?? to 350ci. The transom open or closed with a bracket.

Personaly I think the straight drive with big block or the closed transom with twin small to medium sized outboards would be my top choices. However I don't want to be under powered. So how much HP is required for a 23 footer in the single and/or twin outboard configuration. I know a 350ci to a 502ci would do well in a straight drive or I/O setup but is there enough room for the big blocks? I am looking for my first Seacraft so I want to shop in the right direction.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

there was not a 25 ft cc that i know of that was a " potter built".... the 25 seafari's are sceptre's with bigger cabins.. pretty rare... the only 23 inboard that ive seen is craig miles' in va. beach (nice boat)... i have a 25 seafari if you would like to take a look at it... there is also a 23 cc with twin 165hp mercruisers in va. beach

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

25' Seafari's are indeed very rare. But they are certainly not like a 23' Sceptre.

They are larger versions of the 20' Seafari, which was introduced in the 1960's. Check out the factory documentation elsewhere on this site.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

The 25cc I reffered to (also mentioned in another post)is advertized as a 24'8" CC w/ 454 straight drive in south Fla.. And is assumed to be a 23 CC w/ bow pulpit added in the measurement???

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

Aw just buy a 25 Seafari, and make it into a center console. :cool:

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

The actual LOA of my Seafari 25 is about 27'. The waterline length is just under 25'.

I measured a few years ago because the Marina that stores mine for the winter bills me for a 27' boat. He charges per foot. :(

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

It is amazing how different measurements show up for the same size boat.

When you pull a tape on the 21, it is exactly 21 feet from the nose to the transom.

So I guess you have a 27 Seafari :D :D

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

YEA THE MARINA WANTS TO CHARGE YOU FOR THE BOAT TIP-TO-TIP... INCLUDING SWIM PLATFORM... MAKING THE BOAT 27' BECAUSE THE MARINA THAT I KEEP MY 25 AT DOES THE SAME THING BUT I DONT HAVE A PLATFORM SO THEY MEASURE 25' AND I PAY FOR A 25' BOAT

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

You got it . I have a 23 cc and when I told the dry stack owner that it was 23'6 he quoted me one price for storage , after I dropped it off the price went up because the overall meas. with the bracket and engine was 27'3 . They have you every way you turn .

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

I have replaced the wet transom and floor of a 23 footer before so that doesn't scare me but what is involved with converting a cabin model to a center console. It seems that the cap would have to be partially cut away and then finished off inside (that's intimidating)or do you just put edge trim on the cut edge and go bare bones in the interior? Is there a detailed conversion on this site? I will search it while waiting for a response here.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

Check out the thread, "Here We Go Again." It is an infamous thread that has more answers than questions and is the OUTSTANDING compilation of ideas, questions, alternatives and solutions provided curteousy of Chuck Strickland, aka "Stick" and many of both the usual and some unlikely suspects!!! ;) ;) ;)

PS: your specific question is answered about 2/3 to 3/4 of the way through.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

I can't seem to get the search function to work properly and also unable to contact site administration. I keep getting ; default mail client not installed????

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

WOW! That is some piece a work by "Strick" and way over my range of abilities.

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

The marina charge you for the space you actually take up, not the length of the hull alone. I managed Dry Stack marinas for years, and if somebody comes in and tells me their boat is 23', and I stick it into a rack that is 24' deep, and the bracket and motor stick 3 feet out into the aisle when the boat is shoved in all the way to the back wall, I'm going to charge him for 27'. The portion of the boat sticking out into the aisle becomes a hazard, and is much more susceptible to "hanger rash", being hit by the lift as it moves other boats around. You pay for the vessel's true LOA, not the listed hull length.

As I told one customer with a 26' Searay Sundancer with long pulpit and swim platform with an actual LOA of 31'4", "If you only want to pay for 26' of boat, we'd be happy to cut either the bow or stern off at exactly 26' LOA." :D

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

totally know what your talking about there... i drove forlifts at sunset marina for 4 yrs and became yardboss... those length conversations are always fun then you have to prove to them why there boat wont fit in the smaller rack with the anchor grinding against the front wall and the platform against the mast of the lift when going for the boat above them.... been there understand totally

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

Well now that the boat length and storage issues have been cleared up lets get back to the point :mad:. Help in decideing which power configuration and size hull would be best suitable for me to target. It must be trailerable and offshore capable with at least a 125 mile (round trip) range. :D

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

i think either the 23 cc or sceptre would suit you very well if you plan to make long trips on a regular i would prefer o/b power....( my opinion) i own a 25 seafari with i/o that i make 100-120 mile run with a couple times per year. not very fuel efficient but great boat it is also fairly easily trailered with my 3/4 ton suburban.... the 23's are more common and available in a cc model... if you can do without the cc and can find the elusive 25 jump on it..... great boat, plenty of room and you wont regret it... all that ive seen are single or twin i/o but can be converted with transom work and bracket... my .02

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

Thanks for the pic of your 25...neat looking rigs. How's she handle on the drift with that much deadrise? Can you compare it to any other deep vee you've been on...maybe a 25 Carolina Classic or 24 Albemarle? Thanks and good luck with the re-power. Steve

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

THANK YOU.... THE "ATTITUDE" WHILE DRIFTING IS NOT TOO ROCKY BUT YOU CAN DEFINTLY TELL THE DIFFRENCE BETWEEN A FULL TANK AND 1/4 TANK OF FUEL... NEVER BEEN ON A CAR. CLASSIC BUT I DO KNOW THAT SHE SIT BETTER THAN AN ALBE... MUCH LIKE A REGULATOR... IN MY OPINION IT IS THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, GREAT RIDE AND PRETTY STABLE AT REST... SHE LOVES A HEAD-ON SEA(2-3FT) AND HATES ANY FOLLOWING SEA

Re: New member iso 1st Sea Craft
 

Thanks nuthinfancy...and no need to respond to my similar post in the repairs column. I didn't think it had made it in. Sounds like a very nice ride and good to hear about the stability at rest. Continued succes, Steve