More ride comparison ....
 

Older 70's-80's vintage 25' Mako.......vs Seacraft Sceptre

Experienced contact gave solid edge to the Mako.
Drier, less bow wallowing in following sea.

Any others who have experience with both ?

Owned and commercially lobster-fished in the Florida Keys a 1976 25' Mako side-console with twin 1976 105hp Chrysler outboards back in the mid-70's.

Also owned and enjoyed a 1974 SeaCraft Tsunami 23' from 2006-2008, rigged with a single 1988 Evinrude 225

The Tsunami/Sceptre had a much softer ride than the Mako. Not even a close comparison.
The Mako was a much drier boat than the SeaCraft, even when the hull slapped in a chop.

Both boats suffered from yaw in a following sea, but the Mako was a little bit better, not so much because of the hull design, I think, but because of the twin motors. The Mako also had less roll, but that was the flatter hull.

Fr Frank - That's very interesting.......thanks for posting.

If you had to take either for general sea keeping capabilities again - which and why ?

BG - Those makos are generally rot boxes and the old mako 25 is another shameless splash (with some modifications) of Walt Walters Formula 233 hull. The Mako 25's with the 24 degree (even though they claim it's only 23 degrees) is a good ride.

I hear you Big, but I'm not talking hull rot etc on this one.........just ride comparison.
Seacraft transom's etc same/ similar issues, scuppers etc.

Just ride comparison - getting interesting reports from knowledgeable owners who have had both. I haven't, so wouldn't know unless I fished them both for a day on the ocean, in typical NJ 2'-4' chop and such to compare:
head into sea
quartering and how wet
following sea
drift characteristic

Overall ......seems from the Mako site and Seacraft the 25' Mako has ride edge, but no matter, it was also 2' longer.
I'm a cuddy boat man these days......fishing the ocean in the heat, the winter, avoiding some sun, avoiding lots of spray, and staying dry.
Running and gunning bird action in the early winter.....my current 96' V21 with curtains - a pleasure as it's also a bit of a heat producer inside.

Tim, my 25' Mako hull had, at best, an 18 degree deadrise, and was more like 14-15 at the transom, with a single mid-chine on each side.

For sea-keeping at displacement speeds, the Mako wins. For sea-keeping on plane, the SeaCraft wins. Overall, I'd choose the SeaCraft.

Frank - I've seen 22's? with the low deadrise (like 12 degrees) and I think the 1980's and early 90's 25's are a different hull like you described. The 1970's 25's I've seen are a dead ringer rip from the formula . . . waterline down.

Here's a 1977 mako 251
http://www.classicmako.com/forum/top...TOPIC_ID=56396

http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/...pstp2exitn.jpg

Here's a 1991 25. It's a different hull entirely than the 1976 - 1983 25's.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...68886130_o.jpg

BG - I'm assumed that you were talking about the formula splash 1976 - 1983 Mako 25's. They are good riding hulls same as formula 233, albemarle 24, early contender25, seavee, whitewater, rampone, competition, bluewater23/25, Tsunami 23, and the thousand others. If you are thinking about getting one . . . I would suggest buying one of the better built knock offs over the rott box Mako . . . If you weren't going to buy a 23 seacraft.

https://www.smartmarineguide.com/L49963882

Big - asking per my original question after an experienced contact I know advised that his older mako 25 rode considerably better than his 23’ Seacraft. Contact knows boats as well as anyone so i find this interesting. As you may know, I’ve been ocean fishing my 96’ V 21 within its limits for a few years now - enjoying the great layout for a 21’ boat.
I’ve also been a lurker for 23’ Sceptre.....but never been on one to substantiate the claims of how much better it rides. I never find this a boring topic......as I guess you know..
I have been on older 25’ Mako, though not in choppy seas.

I've ridden in an early 1977 25 (many times) the ride is good just like a formula 233. The ride in a 23 seacraft is very good too. I prefer the 23 Seacraft which is why I own one.

Splitting hairs. Just remember when you are comparing the the "Ride" of these boats the Sceptre Helm is probably 5+ft closer to the bow than the helm of the Mako. It would be like driving the 25 mako from standing in the front fishbox ; ). That 5ft makes a difference in your "ride". If you want to be objective be sure you are comparing apples to apples .

Honestly begreene, I can truly say I have never seen one such as yourself
that has been agonizing over whether or not to buy a SeaCraft or not
for all the years you have been contemplating this decision !

You need to figure it out and just do-it.....

Like me you are running out of calendar if you are over 60...:rolleyes:

How many more years do you really think you have ???

Whatever it is a Mako, Seabird, WellCraft, AlumaCraft....:D

Just make up your mind and DO-IT !!!

Aware of helm location ……….ride can still be compared as we've been discussing specific to overall performance in the assorted areas.


Really like what Moose did with his Sceptre by extending the cuddy back approx. 2' etc.

Looks even better and helm further back. Seacraft should have made that adjustment over the years.

Deleted by Moderator.

BGreene - Please be respectful or you will be banned.

Thanks!

Really? For real?

Respectfully No Bones........I'm not agonizing.......whether I keep my current boat or not, I'm enjoying the discussion on this site, as others seem to also based on replies.
Thanks for your concern.

Tim, I've seen the specs for the regular 1976 251 Mako, and they don't match the boat I had. My grandfather bought the boat for me, and assuming I haven't lost my mind completely, it was called a "Mako 25". Not a 251, or a 254.
It was purchased brand new from Tuppen's in Lake Worth as a commercial workboat, and it had a 25" transom, and was rated for 300 hp, although we had twin 105hp Chryslers installed. It had two 70 gallon fuel tanks, and the liner was a completely flat deck inside with no risers or below-deck storage at the bow, and side console on the starboard side. It looked like a stretched version of the older 22'.