First Boat - you bet your a** its gonna be a SeaCraft!
 

Hey guys,

I've been cruising ads and this forum for months now and i cant seem to develop my own opinion so I am looking for some help. My father and i are looking for a SeaCraft and we're torn between the options of buying something thats already been restored if we can find it or finding a project boat. The boats us will be out on the North Fork of LI and down the Jersey Shore. This boat will be used primarily for inshore fishing and cruising but would like it to be capable enough to make the run from Greenport LI out around Montauk for fluking and if the weather permits make run a decent run offshore in NJ. I am torn between which model suits my particular needs. Originally i thought a 20 CC would be best because we sometimes like to stalk the flats of LI for bass but i am not sure thats enough boat to make a run out to Montauk if theres a bit of slop. I then ventured into both the 23' sceptre and 23' CC, i love them boat and think this would be plenty of boat regardless but wouldn't eliminate the flats/shallow water stalking? Just this week i've found a 77' Seafari 20 thats needs a boat load of work but the price is right? Can i configure this boat in such a way that it would be able to accommodate those needs?

Whichever direction i go id like the following things:
- Protection from the elements, i.e. CC with doghouse/pilot house or getting a hardtop for the Seafari or Sceptre.
-Enclosed Transom
-One level floors
-Bracket if thats whats recommended (i was reading last night that some with the seafari dont recommend the bracket)
-dry storage
-coffin box like squidlips

Ultimately i am looking for a boat that can fish every season up here in the NE. Striped bass, fluke, tog, weakies, ablies, etc.

Look to here all and any recommendations !

Thanks much guys & gals

Kyle

You will be money ahead to find one that has already been restored. Regardless of how good the restoration, you can never sell for what you have in it unless you are a pro and can get the materials and hardware at cost.

I have $25k in my restomod not including power or electronics. No way I could even come close to recovering my investments. But when own the one you want.... you won’t care.

I think the Moose is steering you in the right direction . Down here in S Fl the cc makes a great combo BUT after fishing with my brother off Plum Isld Ma. over the years. I think I’d look long and hard at the 23 scepter. It’s awfully nice to have some were to get out of the wind and cold

Moose is right.

Another vote for a windshield.

Can't advise on hull size, I don't know your conditions, but there is not a lot of difference in draft of the 20 and 23. I dived a 20 seafari 20-40 miles offshore of west central Florida, year round, and was very happy with performance, would not have wanted a bigger boat, just saying.

What tha Moose says is pretty much spot on. You add his power and your touching $50k, my brother's rebuild was at the same number.....maybe a bit more, with trailer, original hull purchase, top, engine, etc.. http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...=billsseacraft

However check out new boat prices and you will quickly find out $100k will maybe buy you a 23' boat as nice as Kens. Good luck.

It MAY buy you a new boat, but that boat may not see a 30th Birthday.

Very few new boats are laid up with love and understanding.
Mark Hauptner`s Ocean Masters were an exception.
Anyone heard about his health after he sold the biz?
My cel # no longer connects.

This is real easy....:)
Take a look at cSickNick's 20 Seafari and what he throws in his 20 !!!
Fishes for GIANT Tuna out of the northeast......
You be the judge..

@kmoose that boat is gorgeous man!

For the area your going to fish go with a 23. The 20 is fine for a decent day but not enough for when the afternoon breeze picks up. Have fished both a 20 and 23 cc on the south shore of LI, in the Schinnecock area. 20 great in the bay and on calm days outside. 23 ok in the bay you just can't go into 18-24" water. 23 any time any day, it will get you home every time.

@bobbert my thought with the 23 is I could sneak into some skinny water if I put a bow mounted trolling motor which I intend to do on any boat I get simply for the anchor lock feature (big into blackfishing)...this community is great keep the posts coming !