New SeaCraft 20

[LorenB]

Hey guys, I'm new to the site and I'm thinking about buying a 2003 SeaCraft hull. I'm talking with a dealer who can sell me a SC20 for $18,000. I've heard the new hulls aren't as good as the classics, but what's the consensus on the new ones? Are they crap? I mostly flyfish and the the SC20's clean, simple design has a lot of appeal. Any input would be appreciated.

[John R]

Hmmmm - spending 18K on a new hull (guessing left over without engine and otherwise stripped, right?) or the roughly same coin for Hammer's schweet 1972/2003 restoration http://www.classicseacraft.com/cgi-b...c;f=4;t=000460

Tough call but add another 11K for the engine & trailer and Hammer's is a better value (and possibly boat too)

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Loren B
I have a 1977 23 CC so I am not the best guy to guide you on a 20 footer but for me I personally love the hull of ALL SeaCrafts boats because of their over all look, which I thing is very appealing, plus the longitudinal steps in the hull which provides a great ride and entry into the water, and the variable dead rise which provides a stable platform for any type of fishing. As for the new ones verses the older one’s again this is me talking, the older one’s usually need work, lots of work to bring them back to new or nearly new states and some of the materials that they were made out of were not as water resistant as the new composite materials that the newer one’s are made out of. So it you are handy and like working on boats maybe the older ones are for you, but it you want to get on the water with one pretty boat and can afford the $$$ go for it. Either way SeaCrafts will always turn heads and be something that you will be able to build many great memories with.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[Dave Hirshberg]

Loren B,
It dosen't seem like an excepional deal to me. Once you add 10 to 12K on a motor and trailer your aound $30k. I sell new boats for a living and at a recent boat show saw a new 20 with a motor for $29,900. I woud suspect that he could have a little more room in the hull than $18K. Also its almost 2004. That leftover should be eating a hole in his floorplan by now. Tracker should be throwing some incentives at his leftover stock to help him move it so he can stock up on 04's. Two things you can do.
1. Go after the total deal motor and all. Most Dealers buy their product pre rigged or matched to a specific motor brand or type. If you buy only the boat, the floorplan company still requires the dealer to pay for the whole package boat and motor. You pay 18K but he might owe 24k and have to come up with the difference out of his own funds. Therefore your deal on the boat alone may not be as good as if you purchased the entire package form him. You may be able to get the entire package for 26 or 27K and not have to worry about doing your own rigging and your in a better position when it comes to warranty.
2. Stick with the hull alone, but offer less. Be prepared to do your own engine hunting and rigging. You could save money this way but don't expect much from the dealer on Mechanical or performance issues .
I don't see anything wrong with the new SeaCraft 20s. Nice boats--whish I could afford one.

[ScottM]

I'm with John R on this one, buy Hammer's boat. Restored to BETTER than new condition, recent power, new trailer. etc. No t-top, so perfect for flyfishing. Yeah it's in Mississippi, but so what, make a road trip out of it and get an awesome boat. However, if you're looking to finance the purchase, you may be out of luck because of the boat's age.

Yes, the new ones are nice, but this one is better. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ December 11, 2003, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: Scott ScottM ]

[LorenB]

$18,000 includes being pre-rigged for a Yamaha outboard. He's asking $29,300 with a single-axle aluminum trailer a 150-EFI Yamaha. I think I can get him down to $28,000 pretty easily. I would love to buy Hammer's boat but I don't know of anyone that will finance $20k on a boat that old. Thanks for everyone's help.