1979 20' seacraft...what is it?

[sealeigh]

I am going to look at a seacraft, that is being sold from an estate. The seller sent me a few, poor quality pic's. it's def. not a c/c, but I can't see enough of the topside to tell if it's a sceptre or safari. The seller knows nothing about boats and coudn't help me. I have the hull v.i.n. , will that tell me? It has never spent an overnight in the water, always trailered, never bottom painted..175 h.p. Evinrude outboard . also, is it a "potter built"? Thanks

[Capt Chuck]

give me the hull number, I'll tell ya

[sealeigh]

I bought it today...a safari, (now I know this), had to...incredible...orig. owner, an architect, perfectionist. bottom never painted, always trailered, rinsed, and put away. no molestation, or butchering...awesome...H.I.N. sec00320479....1979, with a 1979 175 Evinrude....all appears NEW. Is it a "potterbuilt"? transom does look like the logo for this website, but maybe not as aggressive. I'll post pic's soon....thanks, capt. chuck

[McGillicuddy]

Sealeigh,
Congrats and welcome aboard. A clean Seafari is a beautiful thing. Yeah it's a Potter. But a Carl Moesly design. Great little boats - kinda have a Napoleanic complex. Tough and capable offshore. Now don't go trying to showboat in a Nor'easter but the boat will take more than most in her class.

If she's feeling bumpy at 18-20 mph, kick her up to 23-25 mph and you'll you'll comprehend the value of Moesly's Variable Deadrise Hull design. Post some pics when you can and have a blast this summer. Read more at www.moeslyseacraft.com
Cheers,

McG

[Bushwacker]

Welcome aboard Sealiegh! You've found a relatively rare model that I personally think is the most versatile of all the 20's! The cuddy cap stiffens the hull and with a little more weight up forward, I think they're better balanced and ride better than the CC's, although most folks don't notice that riding in the back behind a console on a CC. I've taken many long and fun trips in my Seafari and the big cockpit makes for a great dive boat. Check out this link http://www.moeslyseacraft.com/upload...oatingp1-6.jpg for more info on it. That website also has a ton of info on SeaCraft's founding and early history. If you'll PM me with an e-mail address, I can send you some Adobe files of a couple of factory brochures of the Seafari.

If you'll check out the running angle plot in the magazine article, you'll see that Gillie's right . . . although the boat will plane at 12-13 mph with a light motor and trim tabs, the running angle tends to flatten out till you get up to about 25 mph, so if you don't have tabs, it actually rides better in a chop at 25 than it does at 20 because the sharper part of the hull is hitting the waves! Those old cross-flow motors fairly light, simple and easy to work on if a bit thirsty, but if it's in decent shape, you can buy a lot of gas for the price of a new one!

Let's see some pics of that new rig! And don't be shy about asking questions - there's a wealth of knowledge on this forum! Denny

[Capt Chuck]

H.I.N. sec00320479....

Your missing a number. Should be 12 digits

SEC = Potter built 1969 thru 05/80
? = Model letter your missing this letter
0 = 20'
032 = Hull Number
04 = April
79 = 1979

[cdavisdb]

Congratulations indeed!!. That is a wonderful rig, almost identical to the Seafari I had. We dove out of that boat year round way offshore. I'm pretty sure it is the only 20 design capable of doing what we did with it.

Hint, it likes weight forward when in a nasty sea.

Connor

[sealeigh]

I found this site, couple days ago, when I had realized it looked like this boat was still up for the biddin'......awesome site so far! thanks for all the replies, I will be posting pic's pre detail. I honestly believe that this boat, needs nothing besides a good wax, and some personal touches. I have a 27 Cape Horn that I bought new & fish. I was in pursuit of a 23 c/c, when I stumbled on this Safari, as I fished on a 23 seacraft recently, and believe that it performed better in a chop than my 27
Cape Horn ! (doesn't that stink?!) I will keep this, until a 23' c/c of my liking comes along. ALSO...Capt. Chuck, my missing letter is a C...SECC00320479...THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP!