Should I keep 75 Sceptre

jescuage · #1 02-24-2005, 12:24 AM

A little background.
I was at the Miami show last friday just looking around. Now I've got "Boat Pox" real bad. So I was talking to a guy at the Bluewater Boats display. He asked what kind of boat I had and when I mentioned an old Seacraft he says what are you looking at these for! He then told me about this website.Have spent the a lot of time looking around ,"Great Site"
Ok here's the Question
My dad bought a "new" 20' SeaCraft Sceptre at the Miami Show in 1976.
It has a Mercruiser 188 I/O Red hull white deck. We ran this boat down here for the first few years then relocated the boat to Lake Wales where we have a small weekend "lake" house. The boat was used freshwater only for the next few years Skiing tubing etc, Well one thing led to another ,family ,kids, weddings, too busy to take the boat out etc. The last time this boat was out of the garage (where it is sitting on it's trailer) was 1984! Thats right 21 years ago. It has maybe 200 hours on it and is in fine shape(other than a little dusty).
Now what I'm asking of you guys is... What should I do. sell it as is and buy a new boat.(is there a demand for the Sceptre).

Or get it seaworty again and if so what would it take to do so?
After seeing some of the work you guys do I think you'll advise the latter.

But what should I consider doing before I get it wet again. Rebuild the lower unit? replace the entire engine/outdrive? remove the fuel tank or just have it cleaned?
Thanks
Joe

FELLOW-SHIP · #2 02-24-2005, 08:55 AM

Ha Joe

Welcome to the board I know you are doing a lot of thinking/dreaming/soul searching so I think I would answer your questions a little differently than what I usually would.
First off are you really going to use a boat??? Usually when I talk to guys that are thinking about buying a boat for the first time my first response is “Are You Going To Use It” lets say 25 days a year?? If not why own one? This great boat that does have value has been sitting for 21 years and has not been used Are You Going To Use It Now??? If not Sell the boat and by something you will use, or if you are going to use it lets say 25 times a year then definitely keep her and fix her up. You might only need to re power and upgrade wires, pumps, electronics, tires, bearings, and your in the water with a Vintage Bristle Shape Classic SeaCraft.
Think about it.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

ScottM · #3 02-24-2005, 09:01 AM

Joe,
Welcome to the site. That's quite an interesting story, especially since you are the boat's original owner.

Should you keep it or sell it? Most guys here will tell you to keep it (this is a classic SeaCraft site after all [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]), but I guess you need to determine if the boat is still right for your needs. With only 200 hours on the engine, it has a lot of life left in it if there isn't any terminal damage from sitting for so long.

Regarding getting the boat ready for water, after sitting for that long the gas will need to be pumped from the tank, the tank will need to be cleaned (maybe even replaced depending on confition), and the engine/outdrive should be thoroughly inspected and serviced by a mechanic.

Structurally there shouldn't be any issues especially since it was stored in a garage all this time.

Capt Chuck · #4 02-24-2005, 09:09 AM

Welcome Joe

It's obvious you like and want to keep the SeaCraft! Why would ask those questions from a bunch of SeaCraft finactics on a SeaCraft site [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]
If you really don't want it, then go to www.Classic Bayliner.com and enjoy the next 25 years tubing on one of them.. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

BTW: Otto will buy it!!!

ocuyler · #5 02-24-2005, 04:32 PM

Keep it, fix it and use it. When you see the cost of the same boat new, and realize they don't make them like they use to, your choice will be easy.

However, if you are not going to use it, sell it to someone who will and buy something you will use, as has been said. There is, however, a high probability that you will someday regret selling her. If it has sat for 20 years, another few are not going to hurt... Keep it.

abl1111 · #6 02-24-2005, 05:40 PM

If you want a boat ( assuming you will use it ), and a 20' is the size you need - you will be hard-pressed to find a better riding boat. Keep in mind it will cost you some $$$ no matter what - hopefully less than more.

First, do a check on the transom to see if it is solid - then the floor. Using a large screwdiver - use the handle as a hammer and tap all around the transom from the outside ( with the same energy you would knock on someone's door with ). Listen carefully for different sounds. The sound should be a nice, uniform, crisp, solid, PING! If in some areas, the sound is different, a dull, WUMP!, then there could be some delamination there ( a not-so-great thing $$$ )

If the transom checks out OK, then have an honest, qualified mechanic ( ask other boater's for one ) look at the engine and drive. See what it'll need - I'm sure hoses and the like. Hopefully, she was put away right. If not, you might need elbows, risers etc ???

Get the thing started with a small, plastic fuel tank. If it runs and and runs cool and all 'is good', then remove the removable floor where the gas tank is, dump the old fuel via siphon, and pull the tank for a visual inspection. If pitted badly - replace it.

Bottom line: Cost will really depend on how the boat was cared for before, and if it was put away right for the 'long sleep'. If these things were not done right and problems are found, you have to be a sadist ( like many on this site, incl. me ) w/ a lot of time, and $, or just a lot of $ - it might not be worth the effort to bring it back.

Resurrecting any boat is not for the casual boater. It is for people who eat, breath, sh_t boats - and the water. Even then, it takes a certain kind of person to do it.

Either way, I hope it all goes well for you.

Alan

ocuyler · #7 02-24-2005, 10:08 PM

Good advice Alan.

jescuage · #8 02-24-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

...This great boat that does have value has been sitting for 21 years and has not been used Are You Going To Use It Now??? If not Sell the boat and by something you will use, or if you are going to use it lets say 25 times a year then definitely keep her and fix her up. ....

FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Thanks for the reply , I should add one of the reasons I think the boat wasn't used is simply because it was 200 miles from home . We just didn't go up to the "Lake" as often after my brothers and I moved out of the house. (out of sight out of mind). [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] But now I want my kids to have as much fun on the water that I did and I see this old boat as a great resource.

strick · #9 02-24-2005, 10:46 PM

Keep it and buy another one as well. It's not costing you a dime right now and I have a feeling that for very little money you can have it seaworthy in no time at all. Heck why not get back into boating big time. You can keep one at the lake and another bigger one at your home. Go to the lake and your boat is already there. You have your newer bigger boat at your house and you can trailer it where ever you want and go fishing. You have your kids to think about now and they would appreciate being able to go out on a boat all the time. Some of my best experiences are of when I was a kid going fishing with my grandfather on his boats. One thing for sure is that you will not find a better built boat then that old Seacraft so I would NOT sell it. It's part of your family.

Strick