Questions about 23 Sceptre

huffy · #1 08-28-2005, 12:12 PM

I currently own a 20 Seafari does not ride like my 23 Sceptre. I just found a 23 sceptre. It looks great. The owner has not used it in a few years. The transom is wet he says it is not structural that it just needs to be drained , dried and epoxied.The marine surveyor says it will not cause any stress to the transom I am leary of water in the transom. Does anyone have any experience w/ this?

jcm1 · #2 08-28-2005, 12:20 PM

I am looking for a Sceptre too and a wet transom would make me nervous.

Good luck, Jim

Capt Chuck · #3 08-28-2005, 12:28 PM

huffy

Quote:

it just needs to be drained , dried and epoxied

So does this owner's brain. He wants to sell the boat. It is ludicrous to think a wet transom is structualy sound. If the wood in the transom is not structual then why do boat manufactures put it in there? Why not just sell the boat with a wet transom right from the factory?

Wet wood = ROT = Decay = Flex = Structual and other problems. Don't Dilly-Dally with it !!
The transom needs replacing [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Fr. Frank · #4 08-28-2005, 11:54 PM

The transom must be rebuilt/replaced. Is it I/O or O/B? Replacing a transom can cost $2k to $3.5k depending on your location, and how you want it done. If you factor that into the purchase price of the boat, you might be able to get a deal.

JohnB · #5 08-29-2005, 01:55 PM

Your gonna be hard pressed to find a 20+ year old SeaCraft with the original transom that is not wet. Mine is, and almost every one I have seen is. I dried mine, and sealed the areas water was coming in from, but it is just a delaying action. I have a moisture meter, and all these classic wood transom boats come up wet (Mako, SeaCraft, Aquasport, to name a few). Just because it is wet, does not mean it is structurally unsound, although it is on the way. If it was in fresh water, it will rot much faster than if in salt water. Also, if it is trailer kept, they tend to hold up longer, although I think the bouncing of large motors loosens them up a little faster. Look for cracks. If it starts to crack out, it is starting to let go.

huffy · #6 08-29-2005, 03:42 PM

It is an I/O. It has been trailer kept. The men is asking 10,000 boat & trailer. I do not want to spend that kind of money to get it fixed. I just put about 3,000 into my Seafari. That was just cosmetic. For the money I have into the Seafari I think I will keep it and enjoy my 30 year old boat that is perfect. Thanks for all the input.