Which rides better - very few know !

[Xcomunic8d]

Not upset at all. I consider you to be far more knowledgeable about that boat at this point than me. I just wanted to point out the speed comment. As to handling, as you pointed out, everyone is entitled to his/her own viewpoint. If you didn’t like it that should not bother anyone else. It’s something I intend to keep my eye on when I launch this thing.

I just wanted to point out the hp considerations as to why you had that speed issue. I totally understand not wanting 2 engines, outdrives etc to install and maintain. I went through mental gymnastics getting as far as I have to avoid that very issue.

[Snookerd]

Originally Posted by gofastsandman

Look at the forefoot on the 21! I think that is a big part of the magic.
Also notice how far forward the inner step comes into play.

GFS-I completely agree. I love my 23 Sceptre, but the 21 hull design is the original magic carpet ride.

Originally Posted by Fr. Frank

….”The 27' SeaMaster rides better than most 33'-35'”…

…”Honorable mention to the 18' Center Console which has a better ride in a chop than the 20 SF and the 20' Seafari (Both of which I love.)”…
..”Downside of the 18' is a propensity to get airborne offshore at anything over 20 kts in 2'”..

Fr. Frank-I hope my 27 is everything you’ve experienced! I concur about the 18SF. It is a great ride. Bushwhacker took a ride with me through the Palm Beach inlet when we were there for the CSC Peanut Island gathering, he was very impressed with the 18 SF. I will say that the pre-tracker mid 80’s 18SF does not get airborne nearly as much because of the sheer weight difference. It is a tank.

[Fr. Frank]

Originally Posted by Snookerd

I will say that the pre-tracker mid 80Â’s 18SF does not get airborne nearly as much because of the sheer weight difference. It is a tank.

My 18' SF has a rigged weight with full tanks of 2808 lbs. It was a towed weight of 3374 on the scales, and my trailer weighs 566 lbs.
With a 357 lb motor, 336 lbs of fuel and roughly 260 lbs of batteries and trolling motor, that puts the remaining hull weight at 1905 lbs including rigging, fishing tackle and gear. That's a heavy 18' boat.

I have an 18 that is titled as an '87, but when I pulled the fuel tank out to replace it, the gel-coat under the tank had "CSY 05-20-86" written on it in what looked to be magic marker. The HIN on the back of my boat has been re-gelcoated, and the newer gel coat is flaking off, with the remains of what was a previous HIN underneath. I had a friend of mine who is a Sheriff's detective look at it, but not enough remains of the old HIN to determine what is was. We can tell, however, that the first two letters were "TX" and the last character was the number "6".

We both think that the old HIN may mean that it was a left-over incomplete hull when Tracker bought out SeaCraft. I know the boat was originally sold with Tracker decals on the hull sides, and a "Tracker" Mariner 140 hp inline 6 motor. The current HIN begins with SIC.

One more oddity, the capacity plate says the max hp is 200 and the manufacturer was SeaCraft Industries. I figure the PO must have changed that out, because when I calculated the formula for figuring USCG max HP rating, I came up with a max legal hp of 187. So when I re-powered I stuck a 90 Etec on it.

[77SceptreOB]

Originally Posted by Fr. Frank

...because when I calculated the formula for figuring USCG max HP rating, I came up with a max legal hp of 187.

According to those USCG calculations what would be the max HP for a 23' SeaCraft?

[Xcomunic8d]

Spec sheet says 500 for sceptre 23’, If I have the right model on here:
http://www.classicseacraft.com/Sceptre23.htm

In absence of a manufacturer spec this is to be used:
(Length x transom width x 2)-90= uscg hp rounded up to nearest multiple of 5
Even if I gave it the full 8’ beam which I’m sure it’s not. You have
(23’x8’x2)=368-90=278 rounded to 280

https://newboatbuilders.com/pages/hp.html

As others have stated the deep v takes lots of hp. This calculation doesn’t seem to work on Seacrafts. I back into it through our spec sheets, catalogues, and engine price lists.

[Fr. Frank]

Originally Posted by 77SceptreOB

According to those USCG calculations what would be the max HP for a 23' SeaCraft?

There is no USCG legal max HP rating for any over boat 20'. It only applies to boats 20' and under.

Please note, however, that the USCG has changed how the LOA, or averall length of a boat is calculated. It is now the overall length of the hull from the transom BELOW the cap to the farthest forward portion of the hull (again, NOT the cap). It DOES include motor brackets that are molded into and part of the hull.

It used to be the length of the hull PLUS any permanently attached additions like the cap itself (which normally adds an inch or so), anchor pulpits molded into the cap or liner or through-bolted to the same, and plus any propulsion machinery that extended beyond the hull, including outdrives, surface-piercing drives and transom mounted rudders, but NOT outboard motors.

"Permanently attached" did NOT include attachments bolted to the hull which were removable, such as swim platforms, motor brackets, or bowsprits.

Under the old measuring rules, a stern-drive powered 20' Seafari, even though the hull length was actually 19'6", had no legal maximum HP rating, because the LOA including propulsion machinery was over 21'. Similarly, an outboard 20' SeaCraft with and anchor pulpit that was through-bolted was also over 20' and thus not subject to the legal max HP ratings.

It's all changed now. I promise you, my old 1987 18' Checkmate Eluder was WAY over the legal HP limit with it's 225 Mercury. WOT of 73 mph.
Same with my 1969 Cacci Craft "El Tiburon" 15' with it's XS1500 Mercury. WOT of 82 mph. In a 14'10" boat.

But Oh, What fun!

[bgreene]

Original Sceptre max rating was 400 or 500 HP ?
Water must have gushed up the scuppers if twin 1,000 + lbs of motors on the back .

But with 300 and 350 outboards now on these boats might eventually find someone rigging a 450

[Bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by bgreene

Original Sceptre max rating was 400 or 500 HP ?
Water must have gushed up the scuppers if twin 1,000 + lbs of motors on the back .

But with 300 and 350 outboards now on these boats might eventually find someone rigging a 450

The heaviest outboards before 1980 weighed under 400lbs.
A 1981 merc 225 weighed 363lbs. The OMC two thirsty fives were 396lbs.
By comparison a single 250/275/300 Verado weighs 700lbs.

[Snookerd]

Originally Posted by Fr. Frank

My 18' SF has a rigged weight with full tanks of 2808 lbs. It was a towed weight of 3374 on the scales, and my trailer weighs 566 lbs.
With a 357 lb motor, 336 lbs of fuel and roughly 260 lbs of batteries and trolling motor, that puts the remaining hull weight at 1905 lbs including rigging, fishing tackle and gear. That's a heavy 18' boat.

I have an 18 that is titled as an '87, but when I pulled the fuel tank out to replace it, the gel-coat under the tank had "CSY 05-20-86" written on it in what looked to be magic marker. The HIN on the back of my boat has been re-gelcoated, and the newer gel coat is flaking off, with the remains of what was a previous HIN underneath. I had a friend of mine who is a Sheriff's detective look at it, but not enough remains of the old HIN to determine what is was. We can tell, however, that the first two letters were "TX" and the last character was the number "6".

We both think that the old HIN may mean that it was a left-over incomplete hull when Tracker bought out SeaCraft. I know the boat was originally sold with Tracker decals on the hull sides, and a "Tracker" Mariner 140 hp inline 6 motor. The current HIN begins with SIC.

Fr. Frank-

You have the heavy 18SF! You also have the best weight and power on there for the right CG. Great boat and cool story on yours....

Dirtwheels and I would like to hear more on your feedback on the 27. Offshore experiences, ect.. Thanks in advance.