i own a 2005 classic 23, know another friend who has an 06' version, and know of a few friends who have had potters....so here is my take....
i am very aware of all of the "bass pro special" bashing that the newer boats get. i have read every thread about these boats. i have concluded that most of the issues were with the 32s and 25s, the issues were hit or miss with the 23, most 21s were tight, and the 20s seemed to be ok as well other than the self bailing issues. i studied everything i could about my 23 including calling the prior owners before i purchased it from the then at time current owner. bottom line is that most of the potters, either you buy one that has already been restored, or it's more or less a project. few are still perfectly solid that are 100% original, and if they are perfectly solid, tank still original but good, they bring even more money but yet the next trip out in the boat you could face a problem not yet discovered. while the newer BPS boats are treated like the red headed step children, i can honestly say they are all composite, no wood, solid as a tank, and mine has zero stress cracks anywhere. really all i have to do is upgrade electronics and eventually repower, as to be expected with any boat of this vintage. that being said, my friends who had the potters and rode in mine, actually said mine rides as good if not better as it just felt heavier and more solid. no shakes, squeaks, rattles, nothing.... so I'm a fan of all of them, but seems like the BPS era boats are no way near even close to restoration phases yet due to composite construction. seems like the logical way to go, and feel that other current owners must feel the same way as well, as just take a look at the market, they are truly hard to find.
and just as FYI to Bgreene, i am the empty cannibal on THT, who had the 4 albemarles.
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