23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

compare everything....

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

Same number of letters :)

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

Deep V (24 deg.) vs. VDH (21 deg. avg.)

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

One has an extra 3 in the name. Must be important.

I have seen formulas given away for free, but never a seacraft.

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

ride in 3 ft chop? fuel burn? wetness in ride? drift?

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

Until NoBones came along.

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

Even more of a copied hull than an SC, great running deep heavier hull. I'd take an SC personally, much less roll running and drifting. In a head sea the Formula may run a little better if you tried to run the boats the same way, but I am not a fan of a boat that tries to ride through waves and not over them, heck even on larger boats I don't like it.

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

Here's a link I came across when I was considering a 68 233 before I decided I couldn't put it or a Sceptre with my T100.

Note the difference in the stringers and bulkhead structures:

http://formula23.blogspot.com/2004_06_01_archive.html

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

hard to find formula's that don't have the stringers rotted out..if there fixed there asking big $$

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

I had a Formula 23 center console and it was a good ride in a head sea but was really wet. They also roll quite a bit when drifting. They don't handle as well as a Seacraft.

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

I resemble that remark!

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

Although deep V is a great hull in rough water say for racing, I'm sure its drawbacks are what prompted Carl to actually design the VDH to overcome them without giving up the rough water ride, just speculating - but it does. As stated when dealing with older boats the stringers are what makes the old SeaCrafts doable - no stringer issues at least. With 250hp and up the Sceptre is a hell of a boat, very fast but still very fishable, both have good name recognition.
Keep in mind the deep V will require more HP at a cruise speed of say 30, that was another selling point for the VDH

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

I cant compare ride because I have never rode in one but I can compare construction because I have been deep into the bowels of both. Aside from the thickness of the main hull shell there is no other similarities. The construction of the stingers, decks, fish boxes, etc... is much better in a SeaCraft. The SeaCraft was built to last. :cool:

strick

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

OK Jim, Just to keep these kill joys happy,
you owe me a $1.00 :eek: [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] ;)

Then it was not free, title work fee we could call it!

See ya, Ken

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

DONE! $1.00 sent via PayPal! So, now your NOT single-handedly ruining the SeaCraft resale "market" LOL.

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

Thanks Jim,

Payment received!! :D :D

See ya, Ken

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

I've run a lot in three 23 formulas, two short decks and one long deck, two were Don Arrnow boats, which are quite a bit heavier than the later versions and one was an early Thunderbird. All three were fabulous running back and forth to Bimini. However, very very wet boats and roll was an issue. Most of the time it wasn't bad, but every now and then that hull develops a vicious snap roll, almost throw you out of the boat. The long deck seemed worse in this respect.

I can't compare to a 23 Seacraft, never been in one, but compared to the 25 Seafari, ride is similar, I think the seafari is a little better, the 25 is very very dry, roll is a little less and I have not seen a snap roll yet. Would not be surprized if the 25 developed a snap roll in the wrong chop.

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

Went for a ride in a racing model 233 Formula with twin small-block 350/350's with Arneson drives back in '86. We hit a cross chop at about 74-75 mph and I though for a moment we were going to do a complete barrel roll. We ended up hooking and nearly swamping as we came to a sudden stop. Even with racing bolsters, I had a livid bruise from under my armpit to my pelvis for a couple of weeks.

They will indeed snap-roll in the right (or wrong) conditions, especially if you hook the bow a bit.

Re: 23 Sceptre vs formula 233 cuddy
 

Jim,

Did you just spend 50 cents of my money?