1972 potter seacraft-HELP

drewsocean · #1 12-20-2010, 11:44 PM

I'm considering purchasing a classic 1972 potter seacraft. Can anyone tell me anything about this year and model specs? Deadrise, weight,beam etc..It has an inboard 175 volvo penta. How well will she take heavy seas?(4-6)How would this compare to a Mako 21 from the late seventies/early eighties?

workinpr0gress · #2 12-21-2010, 01:11 AM

I assume a 20'. Btw all your requested specs. and other info can be had by clicking the "ClassicSeacraft" link in the bottom right of this page.

I've spent a decent amount of time on SC's and a couple 21DV Makos. IMO that Mako is second fiddle to the SC, with some distance. Within a similar vintage of Mako and SC you may need to do more in depth work to bring it up to snuff. The hulls just don't run nearly as well as one another. For anyone who has spent time on the early Makos like the 23, the 21DV is unbelievable, but its not an SC. Both boats are wet as all smaller open boats are. How open some of the older Mako transoms are leaves something to be desired, but if you have to replace it it wouldn't matter. Hands down the asthetics on the SC win out IMO. The SC needs less Hp.

For me personally, when I was searching for an SC I kept telling myself that if I couldn't get a decent 20sf I'd get a 21dv mako. Push come to shove though I couldn't pull the trigger knowing it wasn't what I truly wanted. I passed on a few 21/22 Makos that I could have easily made into a nice boat.

In a nutshell, to get a closed transom SC it's no competition for me. Just my opinion. Good Luck

drewsocean · #3 12-21-2010, 01:47 AM

It's a 1972 20' cc with volvopenta 175. No cuddy

workinpr0gress · #4 12-21-2010, 12:21 PM

There has been 1727 ob 20sf's, only 257 i/o in the Potter era according to the site, I'd grab it if ya can get it for a decent # for it's condition.

drewsocean · #5 12-22-2010, 10:28 PM

I decided against purchase due to the "original" engine and out drive. I'm not a rich guy and any problems with that out drive in the future would kill me. Its an absolutly beutiful boat though.
The owner sent me more detailed photos and they are truly remarkable. Maybe one of you guys could take her from him and really enjoy a classic.

workinpr0gress · #6 12-22-2010, 10:37 PM

I hear ya, that boat wouldn't scare me one bit. I've seen that boat up for a while. Good luck, keep looking. There are so many boats to be had at a great price.

Bushwacker · #7 12-21-2010, 01:14 AM

Check the literature section for the brochures, which will have the specs for all the models. With the I/O, I wonder if it's the Seafari cuddy cabin model? If so, IMHO it's the best riding of all the 20' models because it's better balanced with more weight forward. There is also a good Boating Magazine article on the Seafari I/O with an excellent description of the construction details in the literature section. To fully appreciate a SeaCraft, check out the article on SeaCraft founder "The Amazing Mr. Moesly" in Literature section.

1972 was the last year for the original 4-stringer Moesly design, which I personally think is a little stiffer than later versions; Potter switched to 2 wide box-section stringers in 1973, I believe in an attempt to take some cost out of the boat. There have been no reported problems with either design however; the stringers are all glass in either version. The I-6 volvo would be my favorite I/O because of good reputation for durability and smoother than the I-4 Mercruiser.

The Mako will ride like a flat bottom boat by comparison! The SeaCraft is probably the softest riding 20' hull going, except maybe for the heavy extreme-deadrise 20' Bertram, but it'll burn much less gas than a Bertram. IMHO the Seafari 20 offers a combination that's hard to beat: light weight but Bahamas-capable seaworthiness, easy to trailer, fish/dive/cruise/camping versatility, all with 4-5 mpg economy with I/O or DI 2-stroke power! Haven't seen any modern boat that matches that. In 4-6' seas, you'll have to slow down if you don't want to go airborne, although going airborne is no big deal as it'll still land soft if you keep it level. It actually rides harder in the 2' square waves often found on the Little Bahama Bank, but that's no problem if you have trim tabs and are balanced so you can plane at 12-15 mph; in that situation, I've run thru 3' waves very comfortably, SITTING DOWN! The SeaCraft hull is built like an airplane and very strong, but it's relatively light, so it'll start to go airborne in 3' seas at about 20 kts.

If you're gonna spend a lot of time in 6-8' seas, the old Moesly 21 would be perfect (can stay on plane in 10-12' seas; Moesly RACED them in conditions like that!), but they're so rare you'd have to be extremely lucky to find one. The 25 Seafari would be my next choice for a soft ride, but it's a much bigger boat! After that, the 23 will also ride better than the 20, just because of more weight and deadrise, but anything bigger than the 20 will be much heavier, require a tandem trailer, bigger tow vehicle, and 200+ HP and more gas.