1979 23 Seacraft CC is it a Potter Hull?

[SemperFly]

I am going to look at a 1979 23' Seacraft cc and am hoping that someone can tell me if the 1979 was still the Potter built hull. I would also appreciate any advice concerning what possible inherent problems I should be looking for. Any help or advice would be great.

[Trayder]

Hello Semperfly-

I did some research last night and thanks to an article written by Flip Pallot about SeaCrafts, given to me by Hammer, for boating magazine in sept of 1997. He stated It was after 1979 that SeaCraft switched hands. Potter had the firm from
1968-1979. The company was actually started in 1961 by Carl Mosely who in fact designed the 20 Footer.

All that info came from Boating Mag. Sept/Oct 1997 page 88

[SemperFly]

Trayder: Thanks for the info. I went to look at the boat yesterday morning. First thing I noticed was the deck was mush, mostly aft of the console. When I opened the deck hatches and reached in I pulled up a handful of wet grass,leaves,ect.This leads me to believe that there probably a problem with the stringers. The guy is asking 13K for the boat with a 1987 225Yamaha which would not start. At that price I won't even bother to get a survey. Can you or anyone else advise me on what would be a reasonable offer to make on this boat. Or is it not even worth making a offer and just keep looking around.

[Miles Offshore]

With the deck being mush, the motor not running that boat would get 4 to 6 thousand around here. Now if the motor in fact runs, and the boat is equipped pretty good , electronics,t-top? then it could go as high as 9 or 10. Hope this helps , you are right I wouldnt waste my money on a survey either, does sound like a good project boat though(but not for 13 grand!!) Craig

[FELLOW-SHIP]

HA SEMPERFLY
I GOT A 23 1977 SEACRAFT THAT NEEDED A LOT OF WORK DONE. THE CAP NEEDED TO BE PULLED AND RE DONE, THE WHOLE DECK SOFT, AND THE TRANSOM NEEDED TO BE DONE.
THE BOAT HAD 2 OLD MERCURY’S, A OLD HALF SHOT TRAILER, AND A T-TOP THAT CONNECTED TO THE CENTER CONSOL INSTEAD OF THE DECK AND A LEANING POST THAT I DIDN’T LIKE.
I GOT THE BOAT ONLY WITH THE CENTER CONSOL. HE KEPT EVERYTHING ELSE. I GAVE HIM $4,000 FOR IT. THAT WAY YOU CAN BUY WHAT YOU WANT INSTEAD OF BUYING CRAP STUFF JUST FOR A HULL. IT TOOK A WHILE TO FIND A DEAL LIKE THIS BUT THAT SOLVES A LOT OF PROBLEMS. THE TRUTH IN THE MATTER IS THAT THE STUFF THAT IS TO OLD OR CRAPPY TO USE IS WORTH $00 ANYWAY. IT WILL CAST A LOT OF $$$ TO RESTORE THAT BOAT AND IF YOU ARE PAYING FOR CRAP THAT YOU CAN’T USE OR WANT THAN YOU COULD PROBABLY BUY ANOTHER BOAT THAT IS ALL READY JUST THE WAY YOU WANT IT FOR THE SAME $ OR LESS.
HOPE THAT HELPS.
FELLOW-SHIP

[Billybob]

Semperfly- that seems real high to me.I haven't checked lately, but I recall quite a few in the boattrader in that range that look to be in pretty good shape (most down south of here though). I think 3 - 4000 is a reasonable price to pay for a hull only project boat.I think I paid 4 for mine, stripped out.It did need some transom work and hatch cores - but other than that structurally it was sound.Check out Mr. Sirotnak's , that is the way it looked when I found it.The rest was pretty inexpensive for me, but a lot of time.I settled for old power, no top,simple electronics, etc.But for relatively small money, it is a very capable fishing boat for these waters - and I can upgrade later.Everybody has there own situation,for me the challenge was to move up without tapping my savings or taking a loan - you just can't beat an old Seacraft if you want to do this.Now, if my boys can get scholarships to college.....

[Scott]

Semperfly

Billybob has some real good advice there.....my boat is a 1976 hull with a rebuilt 1984 200 Mercury(runs well) and a trailer. At some point or another all of this stuff will be replaced but not until I can swing it.

The other comment ..... no matter how well you look the boat over ... until you start ripping it apart you dont know what you've got. I have found several surprises on my little gem. I know I had to go into this project with open eyes and when I find a surprise .... well I fix it .... and think of how great its going to look when its all finished [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] To tell you the truth I'm going to miss all the fun I had redoing this thing when I'm done. After all this really isnt work!!

I would, and I think you will, get the thing surveyed (what ever you intend on buying) they can usually help you out with what the boat , in its condition, is worth.

Hope this helps

[SemperFly]

Guys: I really appreciate the advice. I think what I'm going to do is make a offer of 4k and if the guy accepts I'll still have the boat surveyed so I will know for sure about the condition of the stringer,transom, fuel tank ect. Does this make sense?

[FELLOW-SHIP]

SEMPERFLY
$4,000 IS A FAIR PRICE FOR THE BOAT AND CENTER CONSOL. IF THERE IS OTHER ITEMS ON THE BOAT YOU WANT OFFER HIM MORE DUE TO THOSE ITEMS LIKE A T-TOP, LEANING POST, OR TRAILER. TELL HIM THAT HE CAN KEEP THE REST. THAT WAY YOUR NOT PAYING FOR THE JUNK AND IF HE THINKS IT’S WORTH ANY CASH LET HIM KEEP THOSE ITEMS.
FELLOW-SHIP