Seacraft, Parker or Jones Bros?

Scott · #1 07-22-2003, 07:43 PM

Your welcome .....and on another note Welcome to the site !!!!

Thats a loaded question (new vs old) as I have a 76 23 Center console. Yes I have heard the quality concerns but when you think about it I'm sure back in the day there were boats that had their share of " problems”. My feelings and personal opinions are that I feel a factor that may lead to a decline in quality today is a consequence of mass production and rushing processes that shouldnt be rushed (improper lay-ups, shortened cure times etc). I’m inclined to think the "smaller" builders tend to put a little more TLC into it building it right the first time. Again I may be way off base ...but its just food for thought as I don’t think that was the case years ago. I do know that several builders , if asked, will take you through the floor while boats are being built.

I have only been in the new ones on land .... and not really seen too many late models to assess wear and tear. The hull shape is the same ... some of the materials are different (better resins, Bi and Triaxial cloths, and Nida and Divinacell?? foam coring). As far as “old” goes …. the problem you would have is there is no "classic" 21. That was recently brought into the lineup so you would need to look for a 20.

This is really funny as this is the same process I went through prior to getting the 23. I was NOT happy with the 20-21 foot boats out there, looked at a 21 and almost fell over when I heard the list price( I must have been right in thinking he, the dealer, was high as he is no more!!)...then went on the hunt for the 23.

But who knows as I recently played around on the new 24 Regulator and I'm still in awe as the boat listed in the high 70's with a single 250 HPDI (Its a 22-23' boat with a euro transom and it needs more power than that!!) Again nice boat ...but a tad too much for what your getting IMHO
Hope this helps

Scott

BARNABY55 · #2 07-22-2003, 10:30 PM

Literrally Weigh the Difference. The older Seacrafts have far more Glass in them. I just think the older hulls are better. Ride both. See the difference

Ed · #3 07-23-2003, 12:47 AM

Definitely consider a Mako 21 or Mako 231 made prior to 1992. 19 degrees of deadrise will serve you right in all but the worst of the worst conditions. Plus, there are plenty of them out there and considering this el crappo economy, you shouldn't have trouble finding one in good shape with newer power at a decent price. Believe me...I know..I have owned two Makos...both 1991's (hint, hint).

Scott · #4 07-23-2003, 01:01 AM

Well.........

Ted .... actually the new ones (speaking 23 foot cc) is about 400 lbs more than its older sibling. Seems strange and I dont know how she beefed up(with newer, lighter core material) but thats what the spec sheets say....New 23 is 3050 or 3070lbs vs 2650lbs
specs for a 1978 hull???

The lamination schedule that Trayder posted shows how robust the hulls were. They came very close to the same lay up as a 33 Bertram for the hull (in the lay up schedule Bertram went the route of an extra layer of woven as opposed to a layer of mat.... and topside the laminate was the same ..... Pretty impressive company!!

BARNABY55 · #5 07-23-2003, 06:55 AM

Scott,
That seems strange...Oh Well As fpr the Mako's..Duhhh..My other boat is a 21 Mako...Ed is right. If you are sticking to a 21...Go get a pre 91 Mako.Thats another great ride There is one in Tampa thats all there, needs good cleaning. He is asking 8500.00 turn key. I KNOW it takes 7500.00 to buy it. Good Luck

AlexT · #6 07-24-2003, 06:12 PM

To directly answer your question, the SeaCraft is going to give you a softer ride and be faster, and handle offshore waters better, and have slightly better storage. The Parker is going to give you more deck and foot room and a more stable platform at rest. The JB is kinda right in the middle--a softer ride than the 21se as it has slightly more deadrise and a narrower beam, but less stable at drift. Gobs of storage though in the 1910LT. I believe that the 1910LT and the 21se draft exactly the same, 12", so both are good choices for skinny water.

I know a couple of folks with new SeaCrafts. They are pretty happy with them, but don't think any of them have owned older hulls beforehand.