Regulator to SeaCraft

[NewMoon]

I just sold my 23' Classic Regulator as I just had too much money tied up in her to justify the expense for the little amount of time I had to actually use it. I have been looking at less expensive options and the Seacraft 23 seems to be in my target price range.

The Regulator's ride was outstanding the best of any 23 I have ever been on, I am wondering how the Seacraft compares?

I would be looking at Seacrafts between the model years of 1998-2002 with newer power.

Jason if you are here, just wanted to say hi your site looks great.
Don

[strick]

I've never been in a regulator so I cant comment from my own experience however I sold a bracketed 23 to a gentleman on the east coast and he said that it rode better then his 26 Regulator. I think you are going to find that the ride is the same or better.

strick

[oz775]

Regulator is a super solid boat- Instead of buying a 1998-2005 SeaCraft. why dont you look into buying an older re-done Potter hull SeaCraft with newer power. The Potter hulls are built better than the newer ones. Just my 2c. Good Luck

[Grneyedloki]

im going to have to agree. The old potter hulls are secound to none in my opinion. I am currently restoring one, But there are a good number of them that have already been restored with new power. Any of the ones from this sight that have been redone i wouldn't hesitate purchasing if i had the funding and didn't want to restore one myself. check the for sale section.... i believe deke has one for sale on there. Its a steal for what he is asking for it.. again just my 2c

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Hi NewMoon

Sorry you decided to sell your 23 Regulator that is a very nice boat but as you said they do cost a lot.

So you are wanting to compare boats well lets take a look.

Regulator has a 24 straight deadrise and weighs 4700 lbs for ride in Seas that’s a good thing for efficiency you usually need more power and gas to push it.

The SeaCraft has a variable dead rise with longitudinal steps. In the bow it’s over 24 degrees which makes it cut through the water Very Good and in the stern it has a 20 degrees which makes it a more efficient hull for power and gas. The longitudinal steps is the key making it ride like it had shock absorbers cushioning the ride in Seas. The SeaCraft weighs less approx 3200 to 3500 lbs depending on the year which also aids in efficiency.
The foot print of both boats is approx the same the Regulator is a little bit bigger not by much.

Regulator is still on most people’s short list of picks “if money isn’t a issue”.
Where SeaCrafts have suffered in popularity since the current owners bought the Co.
It seems to me they decided to just ride on it’s past high marks in popularity instead of keeping up in their engineering for the serious fisherman’s.
They have come out with some new and innovated things but not enough to turn the tide for the Co in the eyes of the general public starting first with small boat captains on their new 29- 36’ open fisherman purchases.

Most guys here prefer the older SeaCrafts over the newer ones. There is a certain amount of pride and bragging rites about finding and restoring a older boat I being in that camp. People in the know, know what a prize a 34 year old Potter Built 23 CC is. I always get complement from Dock Masters, Professional Capt. and old salts about my ride.

But that being said any year 23’ SeaCraft is coming out of the same mould with the same longitudinal steps and that one bit of innovation is the KEY that makes SeaCraft ride as good as they do.
You can find some grate deals on a few year old SeaCraft if you look for them now a days.

Good Luck




FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins

Official 23’ SF Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

[adamcannon]

i believe deke has one for sale on there. Its a steal for what he is asking for it.. again just my 2c

"1979 Potter 23 SF 15,900" this is the thread name for deke's boat in the forsale ads. If I wasnt in the middle of redoing my 18sf I would buy this baby. It is sweet! He has reduced the price a bunch.

[NewMoon]

I understand that my Reg was a heavy boat with a full 24 degrees of deadrise which made it a tank when the seas kicked up, but very thirsty. What I loved about the boat was the smooth soft landings it had, never any shudder or shake like my past boats it was solid.

TY for all the info thus far. Couple questions. I'd love to own a classic SeaCraft but for what I want updated electronics, t-top, newer power it might bust my budget. Do the 98-02 models have a wave-gate installed or as an option? Many I see for sale have the Optimax 225 is this enough power?

[noffy48]

Hi,

I have been on a 23 regulator a few times and just purchased a few months ago a 1998 23 seacraft with a 2004 225 optimax. In My opinion the seacraft rides very softly in the rough stuff(similar to the regulator but has a little bit of a lighter feel which i don't mind), its more efficient, I get about a 30 mph cruise and 43 top speed with the 225 optimax. I would say the regulator has some nicer features depending on the years.Also the seacraft does not seam to rock as much in a chop which I like. This is purely my opinion but I have been on older seacrafts and the newer ones ride the same to me(I could have purchased a restored 23 or a newer 23 and chose the newer one)One thing I do like about the 1998 23 seacraft is the 150 gallon fuel tank which gives it very far range. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.

[newellchunker]

As has already been pointed out to you.....dekes boat looks like a STEAL! I'm in Eastern NC and would be happy to ride with ya to go get her!!!

[RS]

The regulator's design lets you go a bit faster in heavy seas than the SeaCraft. The pluses are that the SeaCraft is much less thirsty; does not roll so much when drifting a beam sea; tracks better in a following sea - esp on the quarter; gets into much shallower water.

If you are going with a new boat, I'd consider a Sailfish instead of SeaCraft. Same bottom design, though it's only a 2 piece hull.