New member. What About a New Seacraft 25?

[TG_190]

Hi,

I am new to this site, and I am in the market for a 25CC with twins. I have heard good things about SeaCrafts, and I wanted to get some feedback on a new SC25, as the company seems to be suffering from a lot of transition issues to NC.

I will be fishing off of NJ, probably out to the inshore tuna grounds 50 miles out. I have a number of different Makes and models I am considering, and the Seacraft is up there, But I have not gotten any good or bad feedback on the later models.

I would appreciate if some of you that are in the know, can help me out by answering some questions.

How well are the new ones put together?
Any good comments about them?
Any complaints about them?
How stable a fishing platform is it for drifting/anchor?
Who exactly owns seacraft?
Why did they move to NC? upsizing or downsizing...?
What other makes/models would you consider in the same class as the SC25 with twins.


Thanks,

TG_190

[Mark]

for your reading pleasure:

http://forum.classicseacraft.com/sho...fpart=all&vc=1

[ocuyler]

TG_190,

If I may make a suggestion, consider a 23 with twin 150's. More than enough boat, more than enough power. The best in class in a head sea, stable at anchor or adrift. Famous for exactly what you want to do.

As far as the 25 is concerned, the link Mark provided is only one hull, but should be considered.

Good luck!

[ScottM]

With regards to Otto's suggestion, the 25 is basically a 23 with an integrated bracket on the back. IMO, you're better of with the 23. Until SeaCraft comes out with a 28 (or something in that range), I wouldn't bother with anything bigger than the 23 right now. Of course there's the 32, but that's a different animal altogether.

[Scott]

TG
I saw this post over on the THT and have followed a little ... I fish out of the Inlet you use .... In fact grew up in the town where you keep your boat. I have the 23 .... and for what you want to do ( I think you know where I'm going )25 feet would be a minimum!! ... I’m pretty sure I would only be comfortable with a larger boat and two engines.... Not that you couldn’t get where you want in the 23 ..... but getting back can be another story .... That thread that Mark directs you to would be something good to go over and talk to Capt Charles about (I'm pretty sure he really likes his 25...and as to what has happened to it as of late has yet to be determined...)
I’ve fished Manasquan Inlet my entire life ….and 20 years ago (now that’s scary !!!) made my first offshore trip….Over the years I can’t tell you how many problems we had with weather and with the boat (spun wheels, blades broken off, loose strut)…Gone out with no wind mirror flat ocean .. and on the return wished we were in a bigger boat (spent most of my time offshore in a 38 Bertram and later a 45 Viking …. out there in a 31 Bertram… the smallest boat I’ve been out on past 30 miles, a 42 Post, and a few others….. ) Cant tell you how many times we “assisted” boats back home from offshore trips ….Some not even from the canyons but the mud hole …chicken canyon etc…. Even went back out one time as one of our slip mates in the marina I was working at called us and said he was 10 miles off the beach with a dead motor….in a 23 Mako ( this boat saw the canyon several times )

I’m sure you know all of this …. And you know you’ve got to pick your days … but the smaller you go the less you’ll get out ….Hell I would love to take my boat offshore but I realize I need to be extra, extra careful doing that ……as I’ve felt real…real small at times on a 45’ boat….

As you also know there isn’t a big concentration of SeaCrafts around ( the dealer in Pt Pleasant I think is gone) and the main boat that predominates in that category in the area isn’t too shabby … 26 Re……

I'm sure some won't agree ... people will do silly things ... I've seen my share of silly people

Do you live down there or just keep your boat there ?? We should talk some time…. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Scott

[TG_190]

Scott,

I know what you are saying. I have been offshore a handful of times off NJ, and many more in FL, albeit closer. I have been out to the Hudson on a Viking, where everybody on the boat got sick/slept, including the owner/captain (8-12' all night long...).

I consider these smaller boats marginal for the Hudson. I would be interested in talking with you though, as I am sure you have a wealth of knowledg that would be to my benefit. I am gonna change my profile and add an email.

That SC25 story is scary, and it is only one hull, but with so few around, it is realllly scary. I would hate to eliminate Seacraft because they seem like a good set of compromises overall.

TG_190

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha TG
Sounds like you and most of us as well “that only have, or can afford, or want” one boat have the same dilemma which is how do I get this one boat to accomplish my 4 boat theory desires. I am sure Otto could explain it better then me but basically it is you need 4 boats for all 4 types of boating needs one small boat for flats and bays, one light off shore boat, one sports fisherman or very long CC for long trips and I guess one for lakes like canoes. Any way what ever type of boat you choose will have it’s advantages and disadvantages before buying any boat ask yourself what am I really going to use it for FIRST and then choose one that is rite for you. It looks like you want to use it for longer trips off shore but it also looks like you are trying to make a smaller boat fit those demands. I come from Florida so I don’t know the type of Sea conditions you have up there 50 miles out but it sounds like you might be happier with a boat 28 to 32 feet long that has more weight, more gas and has more length that will be able to carry you over the next wave instead of dipping down in to the belly of the next wave. Down here in Florida a 25 footer isn’t long enough to have you run on plane in big water going 25 to 30 mph. If your heart is set on a SeaCraft I would look at the 32’ you could get a used on for about what a new 25 would set you back.
FellowShip

[ocuyler]

Tg,

Come to the AC show at 11AM on Friday, Feb. 6th at the SeaCraft booth. We'll show you which boat to buy. Bring your wallet...

[Abe's Rocket]

Have you looked at the Regulators? I love my old school Seacraft but as far as new boats go the regulators are top notch in every aspect.

[Scott]

Otto....You read my mind !! [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Fellowship ... up here we primarily fish the ocean ( there is some great back bay fishing as Finster can attest to in the Barnegat and Little Egg Bays) but when slipped in the Manasquan River …it's out the Inlet more likely than not….and your heading for the ocean .... As far as the seas go ...Summer we typically we have flat ocean in the am till around mid day .... then we get the sw-s-se afternoon blow with an annoying chop, whitecaps etc ... Spring and Fall are different.... Spring can just be nasty and Fall can have big ground swells with chop on top ....
SIDE NOTE….I caught my first bill fish ..a white marlin (thats why I remember it )in a huge swell from a hurricane that was down south almost 22 years ago. Left the inlet and it was a nice gentle swell… large but nothing that bad....Well by the time the day was done the swell was so big that the 38 would disappear in the trough...and we were only 22 mile out of our inlet. Constant up and down over mountains of water .... and then on the short ride home ( 1 1/2 hours [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]) the chop showed up .... and we had almost constant green water over the bridge on that ride....
I get a real kick out of some people when they talk about how dry a boat is .... There is no such thing in weather !!! and Any boat is dry when there is no wind !!! Want to stay dry don’t go out ….or buy a cabin cruiser…Sorry …just getting “excited”

SO the weather up here is ever changing ….the same as with most places ….. I have fished many a January and February out of Jupiter (that’s a fun Inlet !!!) and Palm Beach in the northerly blows (bucking the stream ) only to get our butts kicked !!!!

TG….As I eluded to in my first post 26 Re..., and as abe mentions, the 26 might not be a bad idea ….. as you know they are a dime a dozen in the area ….. and the dealer is a great guy !!! and usually has a barely used one (due to upgrades to 32’s) sitting in the lot . I don’t know what a new one is going for …..I did go for a ride on the new 24 …. Way to much money and underpowered ( boat needs two motors) …but at that point I would move up to the 26 ……

The SeaCraft dealer that used to be in the area had a demo 32 …. Never sold ..and he went under or sold out ( that broker that just got sent to the "big house " used to work here !!!!)…..Anyhow that 32 showed up a couple months ago in Navasink I believe for sale as a demo with low hour motors for under $80K (saw it in the paper)….. that would have been a nice deal !!!! [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]