Family friendly seating on Sceptre or Seafari
 

Hey All,
I’m looking to see if anyone has any good photos or ideas of the seating set up on a scepter or Seafari hopefully a 23 but also interested in a 20. I’m currently running a 86’ 20SF and love it. But I have an 8 month old a 3 year old and my wife. Seating is great be being located on South Shore of Long Island when the wind picks up the bow gets cold in a hurry and the Mrs. cuts a lot of trips short b/c of it. I’ve sold her on upgrading to something a little more “family Friendly” and want another seacraft. If the price is right I’d love to keep 2 but we will see what the boss says.
What I’m looking for is what people do for seating on the Sceptre or Seafari, I have seen photos of the regular captains seat but has anyone set up any seating in the back? Maybe flip down seats or something along those lines for wife/kids?

This was designed for Previous Owners two small children. Pretty cool. Note one off custom splash well also.

Vezo, Part II

That pic doesn’t help, sorry. I’ll get some better pics for you. Will add to my ‘77/‘14 Seafari For Sale Post.

Thank Vezo.
Is that made out of starboard or is that fiberglassed in? Also what years had those jumper seats? Do the Scepters also have those jumper seats?
Would love to see some more pictures of that setup.

Family Frioendsly Seafari
 

jsylvestor-
I am surprised the Seafari is not more well appreciated.

Our ’76 Seafari was a very family friendly choice, particularly with a young family. It was purchased a couple years before kids. We took our son off shore trolling when he was six months old and later he and his sister would nap and roll around in the cushioned cabin giggling. I made a see-through mesh net that came up about half way up the door, so we could leave the door open and prevent them from rolling out if we were distracted with a fish. The net was low enough to lean in and change a diaper. As the kids grew we were into snorkeling and skiing. And now the 40 year old daughter brings the grands every summer to SC; last time the 6 & 8 year old both solo kneeboarded for the first time. Ours has the windshield which opens which is great on hot days especially at anchor; the cabin and windshield provide nice protection on cooler days.

Two short comings of the Seafari are inconvenience of anchoring and at rest everyone sits aft of the cabin, which was not so much of an issue when the kids and adults were lighter. However, the cabin is great for storage of cushions, slalom, wakeboard and our canvas food and clothes bags stay dry.

As for seating, years ago I added the Hermco splashwell tub which provided more security to the stern jump seats and kept the little ones out of the greasy stuff. Depending on the days usage we choose the appropriate cooler and cooler location to provide additional seating. If/when I complain about the cabin, my wife tells me she loves it and reminds me about getting in out of the rain, as well as some long ago romantic moments. Best wishes on your search and decision,

Something for thought:

Vezo

Bean bags are my plan for stern seating. Easy to move and convert from seating to fishing in a flash.

I use an Ocean Tamer bean bag in my 72’ sf20. It is large enough for my 5 & 7 yo grandkids to sit/lay together, and also absorbs the impact of a rough ride. I like it for those relaxing days on the water,especially when a nap is in order. At the end of the day, just wash it off and hang it by the loops to dry.

We use something similar to this sometimes. I bought it years ago when Wise made it in a 60".

http://www.marineparts.com/p-40449-f...-36in-wht.aspx

I use the white, cushioned captains chairs - (2) of them. They store up behind my pedestal seats when not in use - they really are not in the way. Wife is happy - and I didn't have to make anything permanent.

Any pics of this setup?

Heres how we do ours.
23 Sceptre, enclosed transom, outboard on a bracket.

2 big cushy folding chairs that live in the cabin when not in use. Two really big Igloo coolers with cushions. The two pompanette chairs at the helm swivel all the way around for joining the conversation. And the occasional bean bag (but not that much).
Works great, 6 adults 2-5 kids, no problem.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B2...BKrSA4rg=w2400

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qc...chpN2Sgg=w2400

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K...pmkXPqIw=w2400

Thanks for all the ideas. Now I need to find one

I use bean bags in my Tsunami and have never wanted for more but have also used camp chairs for fishing.

I've been on some really nice boats much larger than SeaCrafts and find people still fight to get the bean bags when other options are available.

https://e-searider.com/
or Big Joe bean bag chairs at Walmart

Pics aren't loading for me, but I'd really like to see! wah!


Similar story here, except as told from the perspective of the toddler who grew up on a Seafari and is now a 40-something year old with kids of my own, still enjoying the same Seafari. For 4, it's perfect (the original name of my boat was "Twosome"... then "Twosome +1" when I was born... then inevitably "Twosome +2" when my brother joined the ranks). We often have more like 7-9 w/ all the kids, friend/boyfriend/girlfriends, and we probably need a bigger boat! I'd trade up to a 23' Sceptre, but the Mrs would rather have an express cruiser type or bowrider. Big fan of the cabin for the highlighted reasons Terry posted above, that I took the liberty of putting in bold! ;)

If I had a CC, I'd want a retractable canvas bow top/canopy, cushions on the raised casting deck, and enclosed transom w/ seating across the entire back, and seating on the front side of the console, if that would all fit in a 23'! LOL I'd also like to see an 80's SeaCraft 23' WA in person some day... those appeal to me also.

Would love to meet up sometime on the south shore!

Ideas from the web:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/af/4b...935dbd31a9.jpg
https://www.marinecanopy.com/wp-cont...0397372864.jpg
https://www.marinecanopy.com/wp-cont...des-273-CC.jpg

My Seafari packed with rug rats and same Hermco splashwell as Terry's:
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/ser...890013/enhance

Oops. Google Photos is messing with me!
Fixed it now. (I think...)

This is how we do it...(pre COVID 19)

Man! Check out that new Yamaha!! Nice :)

Looks like Chucktown

Hey Jim Bigpipe
Your rig looks great. At times wish i had a hardtop on my Seafari so less canvas to put up and take down. Sometimes use the aft dodger in addition to bimini providing shade all the way to the transom. Canvas adds delays to the launching and battening up for trailer ride home.

Yep, good eye!