SeaCraft price increase?

[abl1111]

My 2 cents: The Mako's that provide a comparable ride are the 20', deep V'd models ( approx 1977-1980 ). They have the same deadrise as the Mako 25'. And, they were built very well during these years.

The SeaCraft has a pedigree that exists due to years and years of people being amazed at the ride and quality she gives.

The Potter built hulls were known to be designed and built exceptionally well ( except for the damn scupper thing ). Unfortunately, the transoms did not fair so well - I feel it is partially because of a few poorly placed stock fittings - but mostly because of negligence over time by owners for not properly sealing fittings and holes right.

And that's the key right there - TIME. They last. Other boats 'out there', that are good oldies are boats like Formula's and Bertram's. And, they are part of that pedigree idea. They are also part of a scarce, few boats that you will see re-done ( in this size ) because they are worthy of it...

They have withstood the test of time as being extremely seaworthy, well-designed and well-built boats - These are the qualities that people buying boats want - especially avid boaters.

When I was choosing to upgrade my boat from a 20' Grady Overnighter ( in mint condition ), I made my choice by talking to fiberglass guys, boot yard mechanics, peopel who owned different 'salty boats'. And, for one reason or another - SeaCraft was one of the names that popped up on everyones list. So, I 'found' a hull for $3500 and am in the process of a complete re-do. Partially because I cannot afford to have someone do it for me, because I don't feel anyone will do it w/ as much eye to detail, and in the end, I know I will have a boat that will be worth every penny - for many more years to come... Can I get an amen ?

[strick]

AMEN!

Brad the merc is a 15 hp bigfoot pushes it about 8mph full out and quiet as a mouse. I love that little motor more then the big one!

I'm new to the Seacraft family. In fact I'll admit that I did not know what a Seacraft was 18 months ago. We have a paucity of Seacrafts in CA. I've Been on lots of different boats including working as a commercial fisherman in Alaska for 10 years. I was a bit skeptical about the ride on these boats until I took mine on it's first trip out the Golden Gate for salmon. If I died tomorrow I'll never forget how the boat just glided over the 3 foot chop as if it was riding on air! My buddy who with me that day said that it was the best riding boat he had ever been on. One of our friends just bought a new 23 Scout and paid 50K for it. My 30 year old boat rides better and is faster with basicly the same engine!

The Seacraft is a high quality boat that was 25 years ahead of it's time in design and innovation. That is why so many have copied it and it will continue to be the template for many manufactures to come.

Flyfisher I disagree with everything you said except for the part about how expensive they are. Some are getting out of hand in their asking price http://thehulltruth.com/6/ubb.x?a=tp...144#9676000144 and need to be brought back to reality. One thing for sure is the older Seacrafts will always bring top dollar and the price will steadly climb just like real estate here in CA. If I were you Flyfisher I'd go to the bank get the cash and jump on the first boat that you like....... even if you think it is a little overpriced you will be happy.

Strick

[Miles Offshore]

Sweet boat Strick !!! And my nickel. When not fishing on my boat I fish on this '78 23'3 formula which was the same year Albemarle bought them out. Although it is a great riding boat and has a large following, the ride still does not compare to my seacraft. As far as the Parker goes, gimme a break (fillings that is). I owned a 23 Mako for 15 years though not the deep "v", and probably the reason for my back surgeries.(plural).(No offence intended Ed, I also went from Mako to Seacraft)BTW- the formulas stringers were totally rotted out as well as some decking and other things such as rewiring, etc,etc etc. Anyways she is a sweet boat now,here is a pic. craig

[capt jeff]

ONCE UPON A TIME THERE WAS AN OLD BOAT CALLED A "SEABIRD"... IT WAS THE BOAT TO OWN BACK IN THE EARLY 70,S.... THAT WAS THE BUZZ ANYWAY IM SUPRISED NO ONE HAS MENTIONED THEM AS BEING A GREAT OLD "RIDE". IN MY FAMILY WE HAVE OWNED BOTH A1972-3 23' SEABIRD & STILL I HAVE A 1974 23'. MY OLDER BROTHER REMARKS THAT THE OLE SEABIRD WAS A DRIER RIDE & JUST AS SMOOTH AS THE SEACRAFT.I WAS TO YOUNG TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!!
I STILL SEE A SEABIRD AROUND EVERY NOW & THEN BUT THEY SEEM TO HAVE A HIGH MORTALITY RATE , PROBABLY DUE TO THE BALSA CORE HULL. EVERY ONE I FIND IN THE CHEAP BOAT YARD SALES HAVE MORE DAMAGE THAN I CARE TO DEAL WITH!
DOES ANYONE HAVE AN OLD 23 SECPTER WITH THE FACTORY HARD TOP & MAYBE EVEN THE FLYBRIDGE? ?
IF SO I MIGHT BE WILLING TO WORK A DEAL ON MY CENTER CONSOLE THANKS YALL
SCOUT P.S. BY THE WAY IS MY BROTHER FULL OF OLD SHOES WHEN HE RECALLS THE SEABIRD RIDE ? ? WWW.DIVESALONE@AOL.COM

[Miles Offshore]

Seabirds were the predesser to the Phoenix boats. Nice heavy hulls, I only rode on one 25/26' with a small flybridge and it was top heavy and really rolled bad. I have seen them around without the bridges but dont know anyone else who has owned one. Im not so sure about the "dry" either,but who knows.I have always thought that Phoenix have pretty lines and are nice boats, that raise fish, and thats what really counts!!!.

[Ryan]

Ive never ridden on a seabird but i have heard good things about them. One of the guys on thehulltruth has a project 23, and ship shape tv just redid a 23 seabird that looked really good

[Mark]

flyfisher, don't merely read and not comment, that makes any board rather dull. A bit of discussion, regardless of how much hair it raises on peoples necks is a good thing.

Regarding my comments on Parkers, I have actually never ridden in a Parker shorter than 21' and have spent a good deal of time in their hulls that are much longer......they all pound!

As to the others mentioned, like I said, most do pretty well [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[Captn C]

Why do y'all feel the newer SeaCrafts are not as "good" as the older ones?

I am assumeing that SeaCraft has only started building the 25'er recently because I don't ever see any of you mention them. Is that true?

I have the 25'er and love it. I get 2.5MPG@25kt on smooth water. And stay above 2MPG on rough water. If I want to get home in hurry I can run 29knot and still get 1.8MPG in rough water. That's pretty darn good for a decent size boat. My only complaint is the boat is too lite. If it were heavier I think I could run faster in heavier head seas, I'm sure my fuel consumption would then take the beating though. It's not that bad only going 19knots in 3 to 5 foot seas.

[ November 12, 2003, 05:14 PM: Message edited by: Captn C ]

[Miles Offshore]

Capn C- My brother in law has a 2003 ,23 and it is a nice boat, fast and a little light. The way they advertise them isnt quite right to me though. They are very nice boats although a little "pricey" for me. I did get a chance to look over a 32 and it is really sweet although I didnt want to know the price tag.

craig

[flyfisher]

gentleman i never intended it to turn into a argument. i was just voicing my opinion. if you don't like the ride
of some of the boats i mentioned so be it. but the ones i was comparing in some lines have dead rises compared
to seacraft. in parker you can't compare a 15 degree dead rise to a 21 degree like their dv has. most that have
rode in a parker have rode in the 15 not the 21. as for the mako. they have produced dead rises from 15 to 23
degrees. i think anybody that has spent long hours on a boat in the ocean will agree the more dead rise the softer
the ride. yes their is roll to contend with. in higher dead rises. but every boat is a compromise. no matter the
brand. i think if you go back and read what i said in stead of just reading my comments you didn't like you
would see my point. i also think that others here are trying to say the same. seabird is a very good riding boat. i
just didn't bring up every boat that i have spent time on in the last 50 years. i fished from a seacraft 23 and
found it just a comfortable in a 23 abie. as for the new one. well guys that's in my bailiwick. i am a engineering
designer and have design many many things from submarines to satellites. even a few boat hulls and the new
seacrafts from an engineering prospective with new technology that is being used, are built very very well, and
i would never turn up my nose at one to get an older seacraft. in most cases it still gets down to what you
personally like and i believe i did say i wouldn't mind having a 23 seacraft. their is a 23 inboard for sale and a 23 septer
for sale in project boat net. both for a while as well as a number of others that were listed on boattrader and are
still for sale. i've checked on a few to see if they were sitill available along with afew other brand i am interested in. and
i don't see any body banging down any doors to buy them at those prices. and i still believe marks question is a very
good one. but i think i will go back to just reading and not comenting on this board. sense some don't seam to like
opnions other then praise.

[img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[ November 12, 2003, 12:54 PM: Message edited by: flyfisher ]