a mistake or what else
 

I have a guy interested in my 23 cc, I have had it for two years now and have worked out all of the bugs and it is perfect, this guy comes along and is willing to pay for a finished product. but now the dilemma , the 23 runs like the devil, and I have been looking to get into something bigger, in the 31 ft category
granted I don't think a bigger boat will run any smoother or in any tougher conditions than the seacraft, more room and making day trips 80 miles off is the reason for getting something bigger. now do I take the deal and expect to fish offshore more. or keep the 23 and fish offshore with it
how much better would a 31 run than the 23 in most conditions.
keep it simple and keep what I have, or open up a new can of worms with another boat
this is going to beat me up.

Re: a mistake or what else
 

If you've got the fuel capacity to travel 300 miles, keep the 23'. (160 mi RT + 25% [40 miles] trolling + 50% reserve [100 miles])
Unless you go to a beamier as well as longer boat, you're aren't going to see much improvement in ride or fishability, if any.

Re: a mistake or what else
 

If you're thinking 31 you'll keep thinking it. If its a Bertram 31 or similar sport yacht style, I get it - more creature comforts for long runs, weekenders and over-night trips. If it's just a longer cc then I don't see the point especially now that she's dialed in, but that's just my cheap a$$ talking in circles. :D

Re: a mistake or what else
 

I use to run a 31 bertram, that boat does not run as nice as the 23 I will swear to that. now the newer style 31 say contenders, regs, don't know.
run another boat now it is a 42 downeast, only makes 16knts. need a good two day weather window to do a trip way off. happens sometimes, mostly not, would like to have more speed to do day trips. but how much will a 31 gain anything on a 23? this is going to kill me

anyone here ever run a 32 sea craft? could that thing run like a 23 on steroids?

Re: a mistake or what else
 

Roger that on the ride comparison, Dog. I was just referring to the cabin and accommodations of a sport yacht. I haven't ridden in a modern 31 cc, but by all accounts they do fly and ride well. The Contender 31 Fish-around or a similar express fisher would be worth the change, but for me it needs some form of napping zone - cuz if momma ain't happy, nobody's happy :D

Kinda nice to have such a tough decision to make...

Re: a mistake or what else
 

Any 31 is going to ride way better than your 23.
I have ridden on and fished on many 31 and bigger class boats. Hydra Sports were the worst, with Contenders, yellowfins, and Regulators being the better ones.
There are some pretty cheap 32 Seacrafts out there but I would do one of the ones I just mentioned if I where going 30ft or over.
Although I have always said if my boat is going to be 30ft or bigger she is going to have A/C and some where to sleep. A 30-32 Carolina Style Express boat would be where I would steer towards. My father just built a 21 Carolina Style boat and the ride is very surprising. Year after next he is going to build an express stlye in the upper 20s to 30ft.

Re: a mistake or what else
 

A CC just plain beats you up on long rides, I noticed a big difference in my Sceptre even

Re: a mistake or what else
 

Hi Dog

I’m with SeaCraft 84 on this one. I love my 23 CC But it’s still just 23 Feet long.

Sea Conditions are seldom talked about and often overlooked.

If you are running your CC in 1-2 or 1-3 footers a 23 can do what ever you ask her to do but if the seas become 3-5 or 4-6 and higher you just need a bigger boat to run on plane simply because your 23 cant reach over to the next wave but starts heading down the other side of the wave just when the next wave is coming at you.

With a 31- 36 CC the bow is going to reach over to the next wave and you ride on top.
Now I am only talking about CC type boats, when you talk about twin inboard express fisherman and convertibles you are talking about another animal all together they weigh twice as much and the whole dynamitics of the ride is totally different.

If only I was wealthy I would have 3 boats
One 18’ bay / flats boat
My 23 CC and
One 31- 36’ for those trips to the Bahamas.

All 3 types of boats do exactly what they were built to do the problem is US trying to make them do what they were not designed to do.


FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins :D

Official 23’ SF Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

Re: a mistake or what else
 

I'm with Fellowship and seacraft84, we all love our SeaCrafts, but a 31 fter is a lot bigger than a 23, even a 23 seacraft. Fishing in the northeast with the long runs we have to make I think a bigger boat would give you a larger window to fish. If the forecast is spotty at all I have to pull the plug, with that size class you could have more of a margin for error when (not if) the weatherman is wrong.

Plus you should be able to fish the canyon in a 31 on nice weather windows.

Re: a mistake or what else
 

In short, the difference would be night and day and the narrower the better, for ride at least. Long, narrow, sharp= good ride in most cases.