Downsize?

oldfielder · #1 07-30-2007, 07:13 PM

I can't imagine loving a boat more than the 23 I'm riding around in now, but I'm starting to rethink my ability to trailer easily and a few other things. It might be more boat than I need. So, here's the big question: How badly would I miss the 23 were I to jump down to a 20? I know most people around here have either gone up or have a fleet

I don't really go offshore and would probably be limited a bit in the LI Sound with the 20, but in some ways I'd be a bit more versatile.
I'm addicted to Seacraft, so I'm pretty sure I'd stay in the family.
The other obvious choice is bigger truck, but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen-love the Tacoma too much.
Looking for feedback.

tferrarone · #2 07-30-2007, 10:12 PM

I have fished my 18 SF on the Sound for 5 years, I don't think you'd be limited at all - there is no condition on LIS that you could not handle in an 18 or 20. The 18 SF is the "biggest" 18 footer I have ever been on. The added bonus is that it is much easier to launch/trailer by yourself. Boat (which is for sale, see Classifieds) is in Stamford - come by and check it out.

Ryank · #3 07-31-2007, 07:42 AM

I have owned several 23's and 20's and in my opinion it sounds like you would be fine in a 20. The 20 SC's handle as well as most other 22-23's. and the 23 SC's handle as good as most 25-27' boats out there. I felt no less comfortable in my 20's then my 23's when out in 2-4'ft seas.
Anything above 4' my 23 is a little less painful. There are however many times when out in my 23 that I think I had just a good a time as when in one of my 20's, and my 20's with a 135 Johnson got 3.5-4 mpg vs my current 23 with a 225 efi yammi getting 2.5mpg Just my 2c worth!

rockdoc · #4 07-31-2007, 08:29 AM

Oldfielder,
I grew up making the Mount Sinai to Flax Pond run in my dad's 17' and my uncle's 18' boats, with runs out to Middleground once in a while, and we were always fine in those boats. And they weren't SeaCrafts, either! I keep asking myself that same question though; I love my 4Runner, it tows the 20' SeaCraft great, but it's really too small to be safe with the 23' boats. And, having lived and driven through the gas shortage in the 70's, I'm not sure I really need to buy a big truck that burns more gas so I came run a big boat that burns more gas. And takes up that much more driveway space....

And the 20s are sooooo easy to trailer.

Those 23s sure are sweet though! Especially that beautiful yellow Florence. I know I'll end up with a Sceptre or Tsunami at some point, and my dream SeaCraft would be a 23' Seafari (anyone else ever considered grafting one of these together ?)

rockdoc

thehermit · #5 08-01-2007, 01:37 PM

oldfielder,
I have always admired "Florence".

Love the I/O. Good luck with your decision.

stevebrownell · #6 08-01-2007, 02:55 PM

Your 23 I/O has got to be one of the nicest boats I've seen. My $.02 is that the extra weight/freeboard/length are HUGE assets over the 20 (I own a 20 SF I/O and tow w. a 4Runner w. no problems.) If you are really close to shore and fish the shallows, the 20 will probably get you some additional fishing though.

I think that even in this market, the 23 would go fairly quick if you were to sell.

Bigshrimpin · #7 08-01-2007, 03:27 PM

If you do most of your fishing alone then I'd consider it, b/c the 20 is much easier to trailer and launch solo. The 23 feels much bigger and drives that way too.

FELLOW-SHIP · #8 08-01-2007, 04:45 PM

Ha Oldfielder;

Never Never even ever consider selling your 23 CC it looks Great, it runs Fantastic and you could never replaced that boat. If you sell her you will always ask yourself “WHAT WAS I THINKING”.
Oldfielder all these other guys are just trying to encourage you to sell so they can get their hands on Your Boat. Cars and trucks come and go every 3-8 years but Seacrafts are for ever. Even if you burned out a transmission it would be cheaper replacing it that making a trade on your boat.

FellowShip
__________________________________________________ ________
Just for the Grins

oldfielder · #9 08-01-2007, 05:04 PM

Thanks for chiming in guys. I wouldn't say I'm on the cusp of doing anything rash-I've just been throwing this around. Honestly, I've only been on a 20 once and it was with an idiot on a seatrial and all I wanted to do was get off. Maybe I'll start saving my change and collecting cans and save up for a little brother for Florence.
Fellowship-you hit it on the head that I would miss the hell out of the boat-just wondering if I would have the same kind of fun in a 20.
I haven't put nearly the amount of elbow grease into mine as some of you guys have, but it sure is a bond with one of these boats.
We'll see what happens.

bigeasy1 · #10 08-02-2007, 01:50 PM

There's a 79 20' Sceptre with a 125 Merc outboard for sale in the want advertiser.looks like Wareham ma.Maybe a member of CSC?
It says $3,500 but it's listed in the 5,000 to 10,000 category,so it must be a misprint.
I thought about it for a second,but everyone already thinks i'm crazy now with four boats.