New owner and new member
 

I am the new kid on the block but I have been reading great information for quite some time here ever since I started looking at the boat I bought.
Unlike many of you - I am not too mechanical and am not rebuilding my boat - although I respect tremendously those of you who are in this camp.
I bought my boat rebuilt - very nicely rebuilt I think - the work was done at Wildfire Marine.
I picked it up in South Carolina and have it here in Michigan on Beautiful Lake Huron - one of our fresh water "oceans".
Cant recall seeing one of these boats up here - sure is a dandy.

Question - One of the things I really liked about this boat is the very clean lines it has. However, I am a fisherman not a boat collector (my wife may disagree).
I am thinking of laying some tracks down on the Gunwale decks (Bert's type) - is this frowned upon within this group? I don't see much of anything mounted on the decking in the pictures I have looked at.
I may be able to lay some tracks down, shorter pieces, in the flush rod holders - gimbal style too.
I hate to goof up a nice ride like this by "pimpin" it up - I am looking for suggestions so that I can get some rod holders in place to run dipseys for salmon.

thanks in advance
lobo1

Re: New owner and new member
 

Welcome to the site.
I don't know what you mean by "tracks" but personally I like to keep the gunwales clear so there are no potential snags. Also makes cleaning fish blood off easier because I don't like to fish - I like to catch.
Anything to personalize your rig isn't pimping until you want to sell it, then it might be considered that way by the buyer. Bottom line is; do what you want its yours!

Re: New owner and new member
 

Let be one of the first to say, Welcome Aboard, Captain.

Each of our boats is owned by an individual and thus subject to the wishes of that owner. Many of the members here are clustered together and, as such, frequently use configurations and set-ups that have proven particularly appropriate for their individual area and general purpose of use. eg. Here in the northeast you will find that most of the owners have substantial if not total enclosures of canvas/fiberglass or some combination. Down south they frequently go with just a T-top and not much else.

Since there are very few Seacraft in your area to copy or plagerise (so to speak) you have a pretty blank canvas, though I bet it will be set up very similar to other boats in your area.

We get to sit back and learn how it is done in other regions that we have not heard much about in the past. Quality work and attention to detail are the marks of quality, not identical results for ALL purposes.

Do your own thing, just do it the best you can. We will all learn something new!

Re: New owner and new member
 

Tucker - you sound like a legend! sounds like we could trade fish stories all day!

track mounting is popular up here on the great lakes - for a couple reasons:
1) heavy gauge - well built (at least for fresh water fish)

2) can quickly change your configuration for your fish of the day (walleye salmon etc)
3)low profile - clear all your gear off (riggers rod holders etc) in minutes and insert thin tread for an easy step or not too uncomfortable of a lean or seat.

here is a local brand:

http://www.traxstech.com/store.htm

Re: New owner and new member
 

Welcome to the site.Tons of good info here.I also have a Seacraft on the Great Lakes(Ontario)It's great having a boat that isn't all that common on the lakes.It always attracts attention.
I say do what you want to make your fishing easier and more productive.As mentioned,its your boat,don't worry about what other people think.
I have four Scotty down riggers on my 23 Tsunami,Each one has 2 rod holders,and I have an additional 2 on each gunwhale for the wire dipsies.
Also have a couple on the tower on each side for the planer board rods.
I think the boat looks good with all this stuff on it.Do whatever works best for your use.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y7/...nami/002-1.jpg

Re: New owner and new member
 

I happened to look up some of that track you referred to; mighty interesting stuff. I can think of at least a couple of uses for it that I have thought of in the past, but have not been able to source the track itself for my purposes. Thank you for the lead. Some of the others here might want to check out the track link and they might learn a thing or three. Let their imaginations be their guide.

Thanks again and welcome my friend.

Re: New owner and new member
 

lobo1,
Welcome to the CSC family, you will be hooked for life!!

See ya, Ken

Re: New owner and new member
 

Welcome to the site!

Did you happen to buy the powder blue 23 with twin f150s that was for sale in SC?

Re: New owner and new member
 

Basspond -

Yes - This is the boat. I would add a picture of it to my profile/signature but apparently am not that smart!


I never even heard of Seacraft before but as soon as I saw this boat I dove into the whole Potter hull thing and next thing I know - I am dickering on this boat....and now own it!!!

Quite the restoration this guy did down at Wildfire Marine in Florida - WOW!

Steve

Re: New owner and new member
 

Wildfire is one of the best, and yes you as a fisherman will appreciate the boat like none other.

Re: New owner and new member
 

In case anyone is interested.



Berts Tackle

Re: New owner and new member
 

Both Traxtech and Bert's are similar (very good) products - the owners were partners at one time....both right are right here in Michigan.

I have done business with both and they both stand behind their products if there is ever a need.

Berts has a ratcheting rod holder that Traxtech does not and Traxtech has a new adjustable bird tree that Bert's does not.

There are a few other subtle variations in their product lines but over all - very similar stuff.

Re: New owner and new member
 

Also check out these.We've run the Traxstech with great results.very solid mounting system,and very high quality.

http://www.traxstech.com/index.htm

Cannon is also now making track and rod holders.I haven't used them,but hear that they are nice.

http://store.cannondownriggers.com/p...Mounting_Track

Re: New owner and new member
 

I had a guess that was the boat Steve. You got yourself an amazingly restored sea craft, one of the best I have seen.

Its a small world because I have your sea craft's little brother... the guy you bought it from had two seacrafts, a 20 wildfire also restored and the 23. I bought the 20 and brought it up to NJ and now you have the 23 in Michigan!

Re: New owner and new member
 

Small world! I was under the impression he was keeping the 20'....your gain I am sure.

The guy was meticulous with details and those guys down in Florida (Wildfire) that restore these things are crazy good!
I just got mine up here last week - have not had it out yet. Still needs some MI hull numbers and I am trying to get a house battery installed too.

Only thing I am not liking too much, in my limited time of having this boat, is a little too much flex in the port side gunwale......I dont think it is supposed to be there - but am not sure - will call down to FL and ask the experts.

I saw my 15 yr old son sit on that gunwale and I was thinking - not good! of coarse he is 6'5" 270 but still it is not rigid like I would think it should be.

take care !!
Steve

Re: New owner and new member
 

I bought the 20 a year ago so I'm not sure what that's about ha ha.

That flex is probably something with the coring. You should be able to check it out from underneath.

Re: New owner and new member
 

My boat (a 20) was being rebuilt by Mike right behind your "new" 23. Hell of a boat, I got to watch the entire process. I gagged a little when I saw it go up for sale at his asking price, you got an awesome deal! Enjoy it.

Re: New owner and new member
 

Zach,

I wasnt even looking for a boat for me when I saw this one for sale. But after speaking with the owner and seeing all that went into this boat - I just had to make it happen.

I think the owner for sure wanted to see it go to good home - one that could appreciate this rebuild and take care of it like he would. I fit the bill - so he gave me some extra time to round up money - great guy.

I feel very fortunate to have landed this boat and hope to spend the forseeable future learning about what I have here.

Steve