SeaCraft / Mako

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by Fr. Frank

The only ride comparable to a SeaCraft I have ever found/experienced is a newer (2003+) Sailfish 21, 23, or 26, all of which use the Moesly VDH hull design.

Contender? great boat, still lands hard in short wave period swells.
Regulator? smooth ride up to 3', then starts to bow jack in any steep swell.
Intrepid? See Contender above.
Scout? Stable, but pounds in any kind of a cross sea.
80's era Mako 238 or 258? Lands hard in a choppy swell mix, always.

And as for the New Mako 234? Got a ride in November in the Keys. It was great in a moderate chop, and choppy swells averaging 2-3, but when the swell got above 3' offshore, the flats on the hard chines slammed the hull pretty hard at any approach angle, and the whole boat shuddered. Near Sombrero Light, we actually had to come off plane in 3-5' seas with a 4 sec. wave period, even with trim tabs.

What are your thoughts on Reggie Fountain hulls? I spent allot of time offshore in a 31 and to this day feel it was one of the most amazing head and quartering sea hulls I had ever been on.

[Fr. Frank]

I have a parishioner who owns a '96 Fountain 31' with twin Merc 225's. Because even with K-planes his boat's planing angle changes drastically below 22 mph, the ride in this boat in 3'-5' seas does not measure up to the SeaCraft. In fact, his next-door neighbor has a Sailfish 26' with twin 200 Etecs that he agrees gives a smoother ride in seas above 3' at 20-25 mph.

But in 2'-3', the 31' Fountain can cruise along at 35-40 mph with only the occasional hard landing, which feat I would not try in a 23' SeaCraft, but would have no fear to do in a 25' Seafari, or 27' Seacraft.

I have yet to ride in a newer 32' SeaCraft, so I can't speak to these boats.

[bgreene]

Test drove a hydrasport once around 23' that just would not pound. It tended to list in the wind, but tabs would have fixed that.

Rode better through 2- 4' chop than any small boat I've been in since.
Better than the Mako I owned, better than the 25' Mako I rented, better than my Wellcraft V21'.

I haven't been in a Seacraft 23' but friend who has one told it's a good ride, but can also pound in certain angles.