Potter Built

[marsh island]

I am looking to buy a used seacraft. Can anyone tell me what year Potter stopped building seacraft boats? I have heard from 1977 to 1986??? I can't seem to find out what year.......Thanks... also does anyone know what the fundamental difference is between the two?

[Finster]

Maek, welcome to CS. He stopped making them middle or end of '79. Someone here probibly has the exact date. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[ScottM]

Maek, welcome to the board. Finster is right about the end of the Potter era, but if you want the full time line from Carl Moesly to Tracker Marine, check through some of the older threads from last year. I believe it was Jon G that posted it. There aren't any fundamental differences between Potter and CSY/Tracker in hull design/build quality. However, the quality of hardware did go downhill under Tracker in the mid-80's. I have a CSY-built '82 23 Sceptre and the hardware is excellent.

[marsh island]

Thanks for the responses.......I have fished on a 1986 23 Sceptre, and it just plows through waves and is a very solid well built boat. We down here in the gulf south of Lafayette, La. have to fish regularly 30 miles offshore to find good water and this boat can handle it...I have noticed this Tsunami on Boats.Com from Maryland. This boat is a 23 footer 11,900.00 what do you guys think?

[Finster]

I talked to the guy and it sounded if'y. The deck needs to be replaced and the motors have a 1k each. I also have my doughts about the year of the motors. He says he replaced the shift rods two years ago with stainless, but that year should have come from the factory with stainless. It was the early '90's models that had that problem. Offer him 7k see if he bites.

[GetReel]

Maek: As Finster aptly indicated, people refer to a "Potter" built as a boat built prior to 1980 but the cutoff is 1979, and they are held in somewhat higher regard by many, but not all, then let's say a Tracker built boat, which while maintaining the same hull design, is NOT to be confused with a Potter built...(I'm sure someone will take issue with this)

[OTTERLY COOL]

HI MAEK

I owned a 1975 18 footer (Potter Built) and a 1984 20 footer (Tracker) both center consoles.

There was simply no comparison. The Potter Boat was superior in every aspect - construction, finish, handling, ride - you name it. Not that the 84 was a bad boat. Actually it was still hands down better than my buddies 20 foot Mako - it just wasn't a Potter Seacraft.

One day, when I was young and foolish, (until about a week ago - now I'm old and foolish) I ran my 18 out until the Si-tex couldn't reach bottom (it stopped at 250 feet). My best reckoning put me out about 40 miles from my port and about 32 miles from the nearest point of land. You guessed it - on the way home I ran into honest 6 footers. WHen I was in the trough of one, I couldn't see over the top of the next one. I made it back relatively easily - just cut it down to the point of just holding on plane and got home in 2 1/2 hours. Exiting but I don't recommed it.

I now own a 1974 23 CC that I plan to completely restore. When I bought the boat she was fishing. The boat was a trade-in for a new 23 at the nearest SeaCraft dealer. I think the most telling comment on the quality of the earlier boats is that the fellows who worked at the marina were the ones who used it to fish on their days off. They ran out for sharks primarily and the week before I bought her they had taken two 150-200 lb. Makos with her. The reason this fact is so telling is that these guys had their choice of any of the marina demos, including a new 23, a new 25 and a 25 or 27 Boston Whaler and they chose "my" 23. In fact when I went to pay for it they had it at the fuel dock because they were going to go the next day - they were sorry to see her go.

I recommend that you look for a Potter boat and rebuild her. It will cost. By the time I'm done I'll probably have 22-23 thousand into the boat (between purchase price and restoration costs). Most people would think I'm nuts but I know that I'll have the best riding and probably the toughest 23 around. Besides it's my toy and I'll never get another chance.

Best of luck and keep us advised.

[ocuyler]

Otterly,

I hear what you're saying and can't argue with the difference between Potter's build and Tracker. We have my '89 23' stripped completely now. We have found things that I'm not happy about quality wise, as it has added scores of hours to the project.

Here's the thing, if you do your refit and follow high standards, it's as good as a Potter or a new Tracker. It's really about the hull. It's the same mold. The rest is fit and finish.

Who's gonna let their mechanics trash a new demo on a daily basis anyway.

Otto

[OTTERLY COOL]

OTTO

No argument if you do the re-fit right which I'm sure you'll do.

But with respect to the real new, new ones (the "mako boats") the hull is indeed changed. The new, new boats (I don't think yours fits into this category)have an 8'6" beam instead of 8'. Six inches isn't much BUT it has to change the shape of the hull. Where are those 6 inches?? If they broadened the "flats" she can't help but pound a little more. And what did they do to the deadrise at the bow to accomodate those inches. If the angle is wider she won't cut the waves as well.

Ever since I owned SUNDANCE (my 18 footer) I've wanted a Potter 23 - well I got her - now I just hope I can afford to do her justice. I figure that by the time I'm done, between purchase price (I overpaid a couple of grand but I don't care) and restoration costs, Ill be into her for about 22-24 thousand. Way too much for a 1974 boat - unless it's a Potter SeaCraft.

Good luck on the re-build and keep me posted.

[ocuyler]

Otterly,

Where the heck is Patchogue?

Otto