Quality of new (say 99 or better) 20 and 21 hulls

[gmcauliffe]

Hello everyone - visitor from ClassicMako here. I finally blew the motor on my old 74 Mako 20 this fall, and am now comtemplating getting something of more recent vintage.

I mostly flyfish the Long Island - Gulls - Block area, and the SeaCraft 20 and 21 models have caught my eye. I've heard they're pretty good for what I want to do, so my questions are more about quality -

Qualitatively, what should I be looking at on one of these recent hulls?
What are the known problems?
Major differences between the 20 and 21 ?
Any reason NOT to buy a recent one?
What is recommended to fix/add/change on these hulls?
Would any of you Potter-era guys buy a recent one?

Thanks much -
George.

[ScottM]

George,
Welcome to the site. Although a lot of the members here are predisposed to the Potter boats, there are some members with newer Tracker/BPS boats as well so hopefully they will give you their real-world opinions. For the area you are fishing, especially if you're running from LI to BI with any regularity, I would go with the 21'. It is a LOT more boat than the 20' even though there are only 10 inches LOA between the two. It's more in the weight - 1,750# for the 20 vs. 2,800# for the 21. The 21 is more of a 23' with some length chopped off the stern.

[Ikan Besar]

I've owned two Potter era boats (a '71 and a '77) and would have few if any reservations about owning a new one.

As Scott mentioned, there is a very big difference between the 20' and 21'. On a rough day you would really be happier in a 21'. Whereas towing and propelling a 20' would be easier/cheaper.

There aren't that many things, if any, that would need to be changed on the new ones. They are still tail-heavy boats so if it really is a toss-up for you between the 20/21', the 21' will definitely bail better.

[pair of jacks]

I own a 2000 21- there are major differences between the 20 and the 21- the 20 is more of a bay boat-really low gunwales- the 21 is really a "small" 23-very capable in rough water-great boat-no quality issues with my boat

[fishstu]

I have a 2001 20MA with a 150 merc EFI outboard. It is docked in New Haven and I fish any where from Guildford to Bridgeport. Most times the 20 is plenty but there have been a few times with snotty conditions that I would have preferred to be in a 21.
If you mainly fish away from shore in big rips ie the race, off Block etc especially at night and go out in 2-3 ft plus forecasts the 21 will be better choice.

I tend to fish close to shore and my 20MA works for me. It is probably the best combination of a very soft ride, good drift stability and fuel economy for a 20 foot hull out there.

My boat is well built with high quality components and looks great. No complaints so far.

[Ikan Besar]

I have a 2001 20MA

Those new "master angler" 20's with the coffin box nicely address the need for storage on the 20'. I've fished on an '01 20'MA and it's a really nice boat.