How to interpret an ad for a Sceptre

joshm · #1 05-10-2008, 02:14 AM

Thanks guys!

McGillicuddy:
I'm going to look for a fuel polishing service is it all works out. I found these guys but it seems like they want to sell you something instead of polishing the tank.

bushwacker: That's what I was hoping to hear. I've had my eye on this Seafari as I'd rather have the cuddy for the boss, but have only located one and I haven't heard back from the owner yet, but it would be my first choice.

It's encouraging to hear you've made the run to The Bahamas in your boat. It says a lot that these hulls can handle a passage that I've always heard should be done by boats quite a few feet larger than yours!

McGillicuddy · #2 05-10-2008, 02:32 AM

I know of a Seafari in Jacksonville Beach, Swapped e-mails w/ him in March/April. I have a sister in JAX so I thought I'd save a seafari and store it on her lot. May still have it... I think he wants 5-6K

joshm · #3 05-10-2008, 02:56 AM

McGillicuddy:

I will let you know within a few days. I'm giving the seller a little while to respond to my emails. OTOH, how much usable space is in that cuddy? Is it enough for one adult to at least be able to get out of the sun, and if so, is it better than having a bimini top on the boat?

McGillicuddy · #4 05-10-2008, 10:24 AM

The cuddy is about as big as you will find on a 20 foot boat. Fully 6'-6" bunks. Sleep 2 very comfortably. I would say a Bimini serves a different purpose. Tough to fish from inside the cuddy

I'm not in FL heat so Bimini is less important to me. I'm looking for a convertible or fishing top to cover cockpit and break the cold wind out west...better for fishing IMO

joshm · #5 05-10-2008, 01:22 PM

McGillicuddy:

Ok, so that sounds fine. I was worried about getting in there and finding my 6' self in a 5'8" bunk or something

. Aside from the sun, I think it is much more alluring to my better half to have the option of going to lie down for a few minutes, taking a nap, or just getting out of the heat. Whether or not it is used for overnighting or at all for that matter it becomes a much easier sell.

bushwacker:

That is exactly the kind of setup that I would be looking for. Basically when you want shade you really want shade from the sun (as you well know). I have to say that it says a lot about a boat/hull design that when you look at it 30 years apart in pictures you still think it looks great! From what I've noticed there are plenty of boats from the 70's that look positively outdated when you look at them now. I don't think any of the SeaCrafts (or Mako's too, for that matter) really look outdated. Plus it's pretty crazy the features that they came with (I was reading through the documentation on this site) for that time... they sound like any current boat and must have been way ahead of the times back then.

Bushwacker · #6 05-10-2008, 02:11 PM

[/QUOTE]... and must have been way ahead of the times back then.

[/QUOTE]

The bottom designs STILL haven't caught up!

I'm amazed that Sailfish is the only outfit that has pursued the VDH design after the patent ran out.

Regarding Seafari cabin size, it's very comfortable for two adults; it's bug proof and hatch acts like an air scoop when it's open. (See attached photos)

Carl Moesly bought a Seafari I/O after their sailboat adventures and said he and Jeanne made trips in it from Hobe Sound to Sanford via the ICW to Jacksonville and the St. Johns river, staying on board most of the way. They also circumnavigated the state via the Okechobee waterway, gulf coast, Florida bay, keys and ICW. The 140 hp I/O's would average about 5 mpg, so they had fairly decent range even with only a 29-30 gal tank! The 140 Zuke, E-Tec and Optimax outboards have similar performance, except for noise on the Optimax. Even an old small V-6 Merc like Big Shrimpin's can be close when set up right.

Bushwacker · #7 05-10-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

. . is it better than having a bimini top on the boat?

As you may have figured out by now, the key to enjoying a boat with the family in the hot south Florida sun is SHADE!
The only thing better than a bimini top is a bimini + a sun top, basically an aft mounted bimini that attaches to the forward top. The aft top is not often used underway, as it's too much "sail area" to adequately support if it's windy. Here are some examples:

[image]
The preceding 2 photos are over 30 years old, when we were using navy tops, which attach to top of windshield. Next photo is recent, showing current bimini and sun tops.