Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

I love SC 23 POTTER's. I have heard nothing but great things, but have always been curious of why these particular boats are so SOUGHT after and revered and rebuilt.

I am looking for one myself. I rehabbed a 1986 BIDDISON 1800 and fell in love with the work I did. Now I am wanting to go further into a rebuild of a 23 CC POTTER.

Thanks for the replies. I am hoping for some passionate ones.

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

Quality control. Time has proven that potters were made with pride. Not to say others werent. Is a little bit of it hype? Maybe to an extent, but they can keep up offshore.

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

It's one of the largest, most stable,dry, 3 piece, affordable hulls I've been in....with great lines...and rated for 500 hp :D

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

For me it's because I grew up in that era and on the water.
Back in the 70's when you saw a 23 Seacraft, it was the coolest boat on the water.Beautiful lines, great ride, no nonsense fishing boat.
It was the Chevelle SS of boats. :cool:

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

Exactly. Potter created the 23' and in many ways set a gold standard for boats in that class/size range. I would agree that quality was good but that's not to say Moesly and those that came after Potter didn't build a good boat. My father's '82 23' Sceptre was built by CSY and is constructed like a brick sh!t house. Word is CSY lost money on every one they built because they constructed them so well, hence their short ownership of the line.

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

A 23' CC POTTER is rated for 500 HP?????? Seriously?

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

Yup. You'll find some at 400 and others at 500. My father's '82 is rated for 500 and came rigged with twin 200 Johnsons when new.

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

I would agree that quality was good but that's not to say Moesly and those that came after Potter didn't build a good boat.

[/QUOTE]

Huh?

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

Huh?

[/QUOTE]

Moesly was the original and creator of Seacraft just to keep the record straight.

;)

There is no substitute for a SeaCraft.
 

here's a big part of why:

I worked in the recreational marine industry from 1976 to 1989, and have helped out friends in the industry since then. I have been the Dockmaster and Service Manager at several marinas, selling the following brands over the years: Mako, T-Craft, Boston Whaler, Privateer, C-Hawk, Grady White, Allison, Chris Craft, Century, Intrepid, Cary, Cigarette, Donzi, Cruise, Glastron, ProLine, Allmand, Ebbtide/Dynatrak/Stingray, Sea Ray, Bayliner, North American, Renken, Rinker, Larson, Wellcraft/Excaliber, Sutphen, Velocity, Checkmate, Hydrostream, USA Marine (Don Aronow), and of course, SeaCraft.

Ive seen these boats wrecked, disassembled, used and abused. I've driven and ridden in every one of these brands. I've personally owned boats made by more than half of these manufacturers, plus a few I bought whose name is not on this list.

For quality control, strength of hull, elegance of design, rough water performance, and sheer durability, no other boat quite measures up to SeaCraft. I will grant you that many are excellent boats, and a couple even come close.

Interestingly enough, I know several other folks who have sold a wide variety of boat brands, including SeaCraft. Most of them own a SeaCraft still.

When you crawl into the bilge of hundreds of boats, and ride the decks of these boats in any kind of sea, you learn to recognize high quality.

There is no substitute for a SeaCraft.

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

The original poster is referring specifically to the 23' CC so I don't want to confuse things by throwing Moesly in here. I'll amend my statement by saying the 23's built post-Potter/pre-Tracker (1980-1986) are just as well made, if not better, than what Potter made in the '70s. I'm sure some of the Potter fanatics will jump all over me, but it's a fact.

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

I opine that the implied reverence applies somewhat to the entire SeaCraft line of the Potter era because he introduced the 23 which is such a capable boat. Perhaps more revered is the variable dead-rise hull design which was the brainchild of Mr Moesly who's SeaCraft company Potter bought.

The 23 was developed under Potter's marketing acumen who, I believe, recognized that he had nothing in the SeaCraft line to compete against the vaunted Formula 233 and other fine craft in the class. He knew he had a unique hull design to work with and the 23's trailer-able size made it a logical addition to an already respected builder. It's sea-keeping capabilities and enhanced fish-ability quickly proved its worth and the 23 became the flagship.

Potter added some dryness with an added leading strake on the 23 and the 18, and addressed modern fish-ability, but Moesly's VDH is probably where the reverence is due.

I concur with ScottM on the quality aspects. From what little I have seen, the overall quality on the 20's (especially noticeable on the cockpit floors) slipped a little after about '72, but simultaneously improvements were made elsewhere. The '23s I have seen from the early 80s look to be perhaps a bit better in build than those of the late Potter era. Cost cutting? Only the accountants could really say...

I would argue that some of this had to do with the cost of resin during Potters era as he was caught in early mid-'70s by the "Arab oil embargo," and then was again pinched by the "energy crisis" of the late '70s that buried so many boat builders.

Regardless, the sea-keeping capability of vdh hull, the smooth ride, and the simply classic lines are why so many of these boats go under the knife and are deemed restore-able by the wackos that make their living on the water, or just love boats. Good luck with yours should you pursue this venture, and good luck with the ensuing sickness! :D

P.S. Nice job on the Biddison - saw it on THT this summer; fantastic looking wire work. :cool:

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

well said.

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

McGillicuddy,

Thank you for the great reply to my post.

Your "P.S." brought a big smile to my face. Thanks for the compliment! The BIDDISON has been great. Another amazing hull design and a HUGE 18' Deep V CC.

A Potter 23 would suit my needs better for the Chesapeake Bay and would make it more comfy for the wife and kids. I am having one surveyed on Monday and am hoping to get it @ a great DEAL!

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

dont forget Mr. Potter went on to 'upgrade' the only spot he felt needed further attention.....the low transom notch. Mr Potter went on to form Seamark. Now he and Don Herman (Hermco) put out a full transom closing bracket. :D

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

Mr.McGillicuddy, sir, I salute you. You are a wordsmith indeed. You have summarized quite succinctly why we are all afflicted with Seacraft Disease.
Dave

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

Hi Hermit, I certainly meant no disrespect to Mr Potter or any of his boats. :o I still have one of his Seafaris and intend to keep it.

I didn't know Sea Mark was his co., although I was aware of his bracket work. Thanks for the insight.

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

Caymanboy has rebuilt a couple of `72s and said that one had 4 stringers and another had the 2 big boxes.

Ole, Denny, and others feel that the 4 stringer system is stronger because the tabs of the stringers connect to the middle of the steps increasing the thickness of the weaker part of the panel.

When a boat is laid up isn`t discussed much, but how do you get a good layup in July or January?

Have fun with the search,
GFS

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

Gillie, Where'd you learn to write like that :D I think you laid it out perfect!...just wanted to add Potter felt brackets helped out his design too. He noted this on CSC @ one point in one of his few posts here. I wish he posted more often. Hard makin a great design better but he and others here have made impressive 'tweaks'.

I agree on the marketing. I mean...he put Bruce Brown in Mexico for a month with 2 boats for a movie in 1974. Classic

I think the 23SF is laid out perfect....but I am biased [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] and lets not forget they all grew out of the 21 that you have :D that thing is sick :D

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

I'm no expert, Sandy, but I think one of the advantages of polyester resin is that you can increase or decrease the amount of catalyst to compensate for ambient temp. As I learn more about layup, I'm beginning to appreciate some of the advantages polyester has over epoxy.
Dave

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

Hey Sandy,
Layup....check this dude out:
1973...no gloves, no tyvek, no respirator :o

http://www.classicseacraft.com/broch...edium/0001.jpg

Back then it went in thick and by hand....bare hand :D

bfox....good luck with the boat. You will love a SeaCraft of any vintage or style :rolleyes:

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

I posted this on THT with your other thread. The potter 23 has a far superior transom design with the large splashwell vs. the low open tracker 23 transom with the wooden gate. Also some mid-80's trackers came out of a mold with a known hook in the hull. If you do a search for "Hook" on this site you will find the info.

Large Open Transom from Tracker: (Please note the homemade splash guard)

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...100_1975-1.jpg


VS. Potter transom
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...240_Medium.jpg

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

I believe it was SpiderCrab with his infinite wisdom and unmatched communicational abilities that once said and I quote.

http://www.theboatzone.com/albums/cs01/sam_1.jpg



“IT’S BETTER FELT THAT TELT”




FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins :D :D :D :D

Official 23’ SF Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

Re: Why are POTTER 23 CC's so revered?
 

[QUOTE]
Hey Sandy,
Layup....check this dude out:
1973...no gloves, no tyvek, no respirator :o

http://www.classicseacraft.com/broch...edium/0001.jpg

Must be a magic hat.

Even backing off 50 % on the MEK doesn`t buy much time down here. Maybe I need bigger brushes and a magic hat?

Re: There is no substitute for a SeaCraft.
 

Soooo True

Re: There is no substitute for a SeaCraft.
 

It beats, lotsa Vroom with only a little Boom!