[Water Rat]

1bayou and Strick,
I've had my 23' Sceptre since new ('78) and also have spent a lot of time in 23' cc's, and will say the ride at the helm of the Sceptre is a lot different than from the wheel of a cc.

If you look at the layout of the Sceptre, the helm is just about where the step-up is to the raised foredeck on the cc. There is a world of difference
in the motion of the boat at that station than from sitting a few feet forward of the transom. When it gets snotty out, especially in a headsea, the best seat in the house is on the enginebox (mine is an I/O). However, how you drive and trim the boat also makes a world of difference too and you can compensate for most of the differences, especially if you have tabs.

With respect to the issue of cockpit size, hands-down the winner would have to be a bracketed outboard Sceptre. You could have a half-court basketball game if you kept the transom clean.
You will notice thumps and slams at the helm of a Sceptre/Tsunami that you might not on a cc. However, everything is a tradeoff and I would not want to give up my hardtop and 3-sided enclosure, especially here in the Northeast. If you are ever in the Boston area, you are always welcome for a ride.

Scott, sorry, just saw your post after entering mine. Saw your Dad's boat the other day. Hope the family's well and hope to see you on the water sometime this year.