Really?! $145,000?!
 

http://www.iboats.com/sites/metanmar...m_index_1.html

I understand that buying an unrestored 23 Potter Built SeaCraft can get pricey and a restoration can cost quite a bit of money too, but why is this boat listed at such a high price? Is it worth the money that they are asking or are they just completely out of the ballpark of what this boat should be listed at?

theres alot of labor costs added on

Alot of craftsmanship and time involved in that boat.(And Money) If i 145K iwould buy that boat instead of a brand new regulator with 4 stroke outboard which is about the same amount of money. You have to look at that boat as buying a brand new boat with bells and whistles.

Its nice but could you even insure it?

We should all understand the concept of "Best in Breed." Why is a Chevy priced at one price and a Rolls or Ferarri at another? Secretariat's stud fee was out of sight for its day.

This is all hand done and truly a one off. Arguably better than new!

A lot of money - to be SURE. Will someone pay it, probably or somewhere close. For bragging rights, if nothing else. (Can you say more money than brains?) Hell, Chris Downey's boat was refused by the wife of a Kennedy because she didn't like the shade of yellow used for the cushions. He has possibly the most amazing Scepter on this site or anywhere else for that matter.

I would be willing to bet a couple of bucks that it will be purchased to be used as personal tender for a MAJOR yacht that can take it aboard and store it. Always available to run to the dock for groceries and provisions, tow the grandchildren in their water toys or amuse a client with some high class fishing. Let's face it. Most of these guys have ridden in their share of Bertrams, etc. Nothing new for them there!

Just a follow up for your viewing pleasure. Can anyone say, "Boat Porn?"

http://online.wsj.com/video/inside-a...hpp_mpvidcar_2

Bottom line is that its only worth what someone would pay for it.

I could have a nice $50k check with their name on it in the matter of 15-20 minutes. You think they'd go for it?!

Never know, I think they know they are not going to get 145K.

I concur Big Lew, If that boat (the rejected Sceptre) had been on the west coast when I was looking I would have never bought the Seafari, the Seavette or the 21. That Sceptre was pure class, IMO.

I'm kind of surprised this thread is still up after the deterioration of the last thread that promoted this boat;)

Where might one find pictures of that Sceptre of which you speak? I am looking for ideas to finish one out for an old friend.

Holy Crap, you guys are making me blush. This is Chris, the owner of the 23' Sceptre, along with my dad and I sincerely appreciate the kind words.

Unfortunately, my photography and computer skills are severely lacking and as a result, I have few pictures on the site of her (Jason was good enough to post the ones in the gallery section on this site). I will try to change my ways and get some up.

That said, beauty can be only skin deep and I just found I need to replace my transom before she goes back in this year; if only I had checked this last fall I'd be ready to go instead of scrambling to find the right folks to get the work done (fortunately I know them) and before the 4th of July. I will put up a separate thread asking for some advice on this later.

Last, Mike (METAN Marine) does do some nice work to be sure. As far as the price, to some degree I think it is a bit like high-end real estate - ultimately it is only "worth" what someone else will pay for it, just need the right buyer.

Thanks for making my weekend everyone - anyone want to help replace a transom?

Chris,

You have my condolences regarding the transom job and my undivided MORAL support and best wishes. If you could, please post some "transom replacement" pic's of the process. We could always learn form the pros!

The kudos are wholly justified. I revisit that section from time to time and I always come back to yours as my all around favorite. While I might do a thing or two differently for myself, I admire your boat from afar and am grateful for the inspiration. Thanx.

If anyone is still wondering of which 23 scepter I am referring to, check out Chris Downey's boat on the seacraft photo album section. Pure Bliss for the the Scepter folks.

I have an '85 and am thinking that an arch and bimini is the way to go for me, but the hardtop is still a close second. Until I get the where withall to make it all happen, the decision is still still not a forgone conclusion. Cheers!

Chris, The cross bracing for the hardtop would seem to restrict opening the center section and the side sections. Any thoughts? I would appreciate them.

Chris,
Send me the pix and I'll happily post for you. I still need to talk "business" with you by the way.

Guys,
I've been on Water Rat a few times and she truly is an amazing rig, especially considering she's only 23'. She's rigged out like some 30'+ sportfishers and done with total class. Capt. Chuck would definitely put his official "Gucci" stamp of approval on her. And, she has some celebrity status as well, but I'll let Chris tell that story. ;)

Lew,
The cross, or "k", bracing was designed not to interfere and I can open and walk through without an issue. I used to have a Sunbrella Bimini with 3-sided enclosure that attached to the hardtop (put the hardtop on vs. Replacing the Sunbrella when the fabric hit the end of it's service life), and will say there are advantages to both. Main reason for the hardtop was the fact I never took the soft top down in good weather and you can put a much tighter, better sealed enclosure, with EZ2CY or equivalent, with tracks on a hardtop. Though it does add some weight, you can also sit up top for a slightly higher perch when trolling and I was able to have installed the fancy flush mount "disco" (halogen) lights (very important).

seriously:

the power package in that rig - look into how much it costs...

the glass work,the paint work,the electrical work - all the equipment used - these prices add up quick...

that number,it doesn't really seem outta line to me...

Scott,

Sorry I missed your post yesterday and sorry to the OP for taking this thread completely off track. Thank you for the offer to help post and I will try to find some pictures. Regarding the "biz", give me a call whenever convenient - easiest way to reach me is my cell.

Chris, Please send some pics to have posted. Your Sceptre is truely "One of a kind" To be fair to the OP of this thread, why don't you start a thread with your pics called "Jackie's reject"....LOL!! She apparently had no taste in boats! Although, after she declined on y'all boat due to interior color scheme, I wonder if she ordered another SeaCraft Sceptre to her liking? If so, I wonder what ever happened to that boat. Could be another intersting story.

77,

The Kennedy's did have very good taste in boats; I used to see John frequently in Lewis Bay (Hyannis, MA) on their 20' SeaCraft SF (of course this was from our 23). Unfortunately, we all know the the tragedy of he and his two passengers; I was running our 23 early morning from from Bass River to Boston the morning after and still had not heard the news; remember wondering what all the aircraft and CG presence in Buzzards Bay was all about.

And don't forget the most expensive part of this resto, the labor. You will be paying the going professional rate for that, it isn't sweat equity!

Interesting...a 13 Whaler for 27k...

If one looks close at the red sea craft, is the grab rail centered...something looks off. I believe when you price a boat that far above what the values of most SeaCraft 23s are going for you get critical thinking and analysis. A board member might have confused a sea craft with a chevy or an exotic car...However that argument might not work here. You need to compare a chevy with another chevy...or to be more specific a chevy corvette with another restored chevy corvette from the same year...you can only push the market so far. Yet, there will be someone, that is willing to pay a high price for their work. Best of luck and hope they get it. It would mean someone or many is boosting the economy and all of ours would be come a little more valuable...

Chevy or an exotic car is a lot easier to find than a classic seacraft with this time and money involved. I wouldnt use that comparison.

I guess your "findings" would depend on how good and hard one would research...There are many "classic SeaCrafts" even in the location where i am from advertised and not advertised.

If i read that board members argument correctly that person was comparing a chevy to a exotic...then I would definatly use the comparison and argument i used...

Some costs are negligible, meaning one can add all the time in the world yet your only going to receive what the market will bare. Some have common sense, others do not. If you think its fair to pay 145k + for a 23 boat all the power to that person.

Heres another example for you, even if i misunderstood the persons post about comparisons. Would you pay $100,000,000 for an exotic that only normally fetches $1,000,000?

I have no pony in this race, just trying to use logic to solve a simple issue. I enjoy sea crafts, and believe i am an above average SeaCraft enthusiast. I do not love them (many have stated they love their SeaCrafts...a nun once told me in grade school its impossible to love something that can't love you back...pretty logical...enjoy your search for the ever to you, elusive, classic SeaCraft...

(many have stated they love their SeaCrafts...a nun once told me in grade school its impossible to love something that can't love you back...pretty logical...enjoy your search for the ever to you, elusive, classic SeaCraft...


I love my SeaCraft its a part of my family and you know what" it loves me". My SeaCraft pays my mortgage every month, and my mortgage isn't one that one like to have. So i would have to say it puts a roof over my head on land and on sea. Tell the nun "God Bless".

...And there you have it...complete and total logic... I was 5 days old when i was taken aboard a SeaCraft...and it has given me countless memories...however fiberglass is still incapable of loving....

I think the nun is dead...but i remember something about good catholics being omni present...so i guess she is reading from wherever...i since became a quaker...

relax man, besides having to look at a huge picture of your SC every time you post, which confuses the hell out of me; i am nearly just bringing up thoughts...nothing personal...

you can go back to chevys and exotics now...

you can go back to chevys and exotics now...


I never went there you did. Its all good conversation. Oh yeah sorry about the pic of my SeaCraft every time i post i'm tryin to figure out how to remove that.

Here ya go i removed it, didn't want any of our CSC members to have any "nightmares"

Ha, we are all sea craft buds here...no worries. This morning i woke up in a cold sweat thinking i was swimming and a blue hull was coming right for me. before i went to bed i was looking at this page with your boat....

carry on. no harm intended. your boat looks great! I bet you couldn't do what you do in the 145k piece...

No the 145k piece is for a different spieces than me. Lol

Leave the big blue boat up> i like looking at it> not many good looking houses on seacrafts

Jerry,

You are right on that score. It is home grown and a pleasure to witness. Further it makes a vocation few choice bearable when most of us are sitting by our fireplace or in a warm chair on a Sunday afternoon watching football.

A half an inch on a grab rail is small potatoes in comparison!

I'll take an updated photo of it tomorrow and post it. I creped someone out with it i had to take it off. Ill put on my 29 footer for now. I just took this one yesterday before i went out.

Please leave the original up. I watched how that house was conceived, executed and now works as a true work of art for many of us. It is a symbol of what great things our beloved crafts are capable of invoking in all of us. One naysayer is not the final word on any subject.

At least not on this forum!

put that picture back up ! that's a great job you've done on the house - be proud !

Great lookin house Mike. Put it back up or another one like it. Maybe a workin shot? :)

I can't figure out how to get pic in big format.

Please leave the original up. I watched how that house was conceived, executed and now works as a true work of art for many of us. It is a symbol of what great things our beloved crafts are capable of invoking in all of us. One naysayer is not the final word on any subject.

At least not on this forum!
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I don't have the original pic I don't know how I got that photo.

To answer your question go and price a new Yanmar and full drive system. Then price the rigging. I can tell you this if I have the money that bad boy would belong to me. That is one beautiful boat!!!