[buzzcutt]

In reply to your inquiry;

Your in a place to get good info on SeaCraft boats.
What hull to buy? The bigger the better. 18 is kinda small for a family or three guys to fish from(not impossible just more crowded) 20 is still on the small size with less deadrise than the 23's which gives it a stiffer ride in sloppy(3-4 foot seas) conditions. 23 has more room with greater deadrise for a smoother ride. 25 was a cabin boat (not a walkaround).
as far as what years to get, it's all personal preference. Rumor and general belief was the Potter boats were the best. Potter sold in 80(?) so my choice is up to 1980. Others will have reasons for different years.
It sounds like the new boats are the ones to stay away from. Read story of the current problems on the 25's.

inherent problem with design, only one i new of was it was a wet boat. it threw spray from the hull up so the wind could blow it back on you. kept you cool in South Florida summers, but up north it could be a nuciance.

Transom rot on older hulls is more prevelant due to leakage around bolts holding outboards on. if they were unsealed, they would let water into the plywood of the transom which after twenty years would turn to mush. mine was a 1978 which Rybovich initially installed the outboard. transom began showing signs of water intrusion late 93. raised transom to 25" at the time and replaced bad wood.

Any boat will sink. over time the foam under the decks of the seacrafts will absorb water increasing weight of the hull. more weight means reduced height self bailing deck is over waterline. when waterline height goes over deck height, chance of sinking is increased and deck is no longer self bailing. more attention needs to be paid to water on deck and condition of scupper plugs.

I raised the transom to keep water off the deck and out of the motor well while drift fishing over the reefs of South Florida. it kept more, not all the water out. with the 140 it was self bailing with two guys fishing from the transom. with the 150, the baitwell (30 gallon) could only be filled half way before it took water on through the scuppers instead of letting it out.

Normal harbour and light offshore fishing, no it won't sink that easily, you will need to work at it. keep an eye on the water in the hull and on the deck and you should be ok.

Trim tabs were not required with either motor I had. they will improve the ride in a head sea at low speed. they can let you put the bow down to cut the seas better. I would see how the boat rode and performed with just the power trim of the motor before dropping the cash on the tabs.

I hope i answered your questions. if you have more, ask away. the people here share a common interest in the boats and seem very interested in how others keep and use their boats.

Good Luck if you decide to pull the trigger.

BuzzCutt