Project boats

[Capt Chuck]

it seems that the 20 CC Sea Craft is what a majority of people are restoring

I totally agree with the total produced numbers here but be advised that most 20' SeaCrafts have the "wet feet" issue (much more than the 23's ) just because of their configuration, the self bail scuppers, low floor & transom height plays a big part. In addition, most (I said most as some have) 20's did not have the side vents like the 23's. These vents, I'm sincerely convinced, ventilate the bilges keeping the moisture out of the bilge, which everyone knows, gets absorbed into the wood. I have not been aware of a 23' SeaCraft with bad decks unless it was misused by its owners over the years and not properly sealed at the seats, hatch hinges, T-Top stanchions and console screws etc.

My 23' is 28 years young and the original balsa wood deck remains solid. I have had one area of concern ( 8"x8") that after cutting it out, proved to be a delamination area above the stringer not rot. This is common where the area is prone to stepping on over and over, such as either port or starboard side adjacent to the console. Maybe I tend to be more anal when it comes to "spit & polishing" my investment but again, as an experienced SeaCraft owner, I have found that a stringent maintenance program from paint,electronics,wiring,gelcoat,motors and proper trailer setup will help ensure it's longevity [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Good Luck with your search want2fish

I found my '78 23' cc by being in the right place at the right time paid 2000.00 for the boat, rough but working trailer, and the running but very well used pair of johnson 150's the boat needs quite a bit of work but is solid and very fishable. I don't think the previous owner did not really know the what he had. I'm not shure but i think i got a pretty good deal.

[joey]

For 2k I would of bought it with a hole in the bottom!

[Miles Offshore]

I think the 23's outnumber the 20's here at the beach at least 10 to 1. i know of 4- 23's currently for sale, 2 at dealerships and 2 privately owned. 1 sceptre with twin i/o's in the paper <6K, 1 c/c with i/o- will need some work, 1-23 inboard- needs cosmetic work on the hull, 1 -23 sceptre that i havnt even stopped to look at but looks nice- i think i only know 3 20's locally, 2 of which are newer models.

[Ikan Besar]

23's have less issues that need to be addressed than 20's do. A new transom and a fresh engine will solve most of the issues with the older 23's. The 20's need a longer list of modifications to make them usable by todays standards.

As Capt Chuck mentioned, if you have a 20' SeaCraft with the original floor in it, you are very likely familiar with plugs in the scuppers to keep the water out. Additionally, unless you have the "Master Angler" model, the early 20's didn't allow for under-gunnel rod storage except via two odd slots up forward. Add to that an oversized console for the boat and you start to get an idea why many people on this site have made significant changes to their 20's.

The 23's seemed better thought out from the get-go. A 30 year old SeaCraft 23' compares favorably with current boats that size by other manufacturers. A 30 year old 20' has some drawbacks that simply don't exist on other current 20' boats.

Merely my opinions-

[ocuyler]

But be prepared to spend a hell of lot more than you think on restoration if that's the plan. I've had mine for 3 - 4 years now in "restoration mode" and I'm still not done.

Tell me about it...

[NoBones]

For 2k I would of bought it with a hole in the bottom!

I paid $560.00 on eBay for a 23 Secptre with a crashed nose.
Paid $1400 for a used trailer, plus $300 for new tires.
Drove 1675 miles round trip, 1 night in a motel, fed two friends that helped me get the boat, plus $400 for diesel.
God only knows how much the re-do will be once I get to it.
Bottom line, 78 Potter Hull----- PRICELESS !!
See ya, Ken

[Bigshrimpin]

In addition to the numbers and the $$$ issue . . . I suspect that the 20ft appeals to more folks b/c they are smaller and easier to trailer. The 20ft'r will also allow you access to inshore spots where you can't take the 23.

[RS]

I think Ikan and Bigshrimpin got it right. Luckily I have a 79 MA that came with a 25 inch transom and scupper holes out the transom instead of underneath (as in the 78 MA for instance). Slightly modified ball scuppers keep our feet dry and she self bails when docked, even with a Honda 130 "anvil" on the back.
Regardless of the topside configuration, that soft riding vd hull gives any seacraft 20 the versatility of shallow water work yet the ability to handle some pretty nasty stuff out front. It trailers and launches easily too.

[BigMike8o9]

Hey Nobones, I was bidding aginst you. But the guy got me the damage pictures too late.
I told him that I would buy it if you backed out. But he said you were willing to go 10K on it in a bidding war.
And if you backed out I would have to pay closer to that.
I think he was a bit of a dreamer.
I hope you post the repair pictures as it goes. It 's hard to see from the angle shown but it's a challeging repair. I was looking forward to another fixer, but that would be a cool boat done.
I was going to make a wooden mold of the broken pieces and make new bow parts to glass in.