New Owner Questions

Jon2002 · #1 07-25-2005, 08:10 AM

I am the new owner of a 1978 23' Sceptre in OC Md. It has a Volvo 290 I/O 350 cid @ 260hp. Had twin 3.0l Volvos replaced by single in 1988. I have a couple of questions I hope you all can help with. What is the fuel tank capacity? Went offshore yesterday (released a small blue marlin!) and the guage was on E when we got back and took 54 gal to fill. Previous owner said he thinks it is 70 gal. Boat is all original except for engine change. Was garage kept. Is this a "Potter" boat and what does that mean? I have some wear on the outdrive and would like to know if there is a good website for info on this 1988 Volvo 290. I also need a new voltmeter. I will try to post some pics soon....thanks

ScottM · #2 07-25-2005, 11:17 AM

According to the specs, a 72 gallon tank was standard for the I/O Sceptre.

Yes, your boat is a "Potter built", which refers to the man (Bill Potter) who owned the company back in the 70's.

SCSeacraft · #3 07-25-2005, 11:23 AM

Congrats on the blue not a bad way to break in the "new" boat!
DHBIII

bigblockdock · #4 07-25-2005, 09:29 PM

jon, is your 23 SC yellow in color by chance?? If it is, and the boat was kept in a garage behind the previous owners home near delmar, Md, I know the boat.

Jon2002 · #5 07-25-2005, 11:31 PM

Yep...she's yellow. He is a good friend of my partner's dad. He said he had a hardtop that he took off so it would fit in his garage. Sure wish he had kept it, I would love to have a top put on it.

bigblockdock · #6 07-26-2005, 02:59 PM

Jon, You got a good Seacraft there. I would safely say that boat has spent most of its life, since Dave has owned it in the garage. I bought a 16 foot C Hawk from him years ago and never had any problems with it. Does it have a swim platform on the transom? I traded him the full width one off my Ray for a 2 foot one he had. he said he was going to put it on the Seacraft but the last time I saw the boat it was not on yet. The 290 O/D is adecent one, I haven't heard of any problems with them and there are still alot of them around. If I had been looking for a bigger SC I would have bought that one in a minute. Good luck with it. Im sure you will enjoy it. Butch

Jon2002 · #7 07-26-2005, 10:45 PM

Hey Butch...yes, he put the teak swim platform on before we bought it. It has a few problems, mostly I think due to it not being used much (1988 drive with 400 hrs.). Needed new pumps and such...the outdrive needs the tilt cylinders rebuilt, my project for this weekend. Motor runs sweet though...best riding small boat I have ever been on. Some of these new mfgrs. should take a lesson from what works. Anyone interested in a nice 21 ft. Trophy walkaround? I have one for sale!

bigblockdock · #8 07-27-2005, 10:47 PM

Jon, yep! nothing rides like a seacraft! I know someone looking for a boat, he's on vacation now and I will ask him if he would be interested when he gets back in town. I've had good luck advertising stuff in "The Guide". I'll keep an eye for the yellow seacraft and introduce myself when I see it. My Sea Ray is the same color, hope to get the motor back in and go for some tuna out of O.C. or Quinby soon. My seacraft is a tad short to go out there. Butch [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]