New SeaCraft 20

LorenB · #1 12-11-2003, 12:34 AM

Hey guys, I'm new to the site and I'm thinking about buying a 2003 SeaCraft hull. I'm talking with a dealer who can sell me a SC20 for $18,000. I've heard the new hulls aren't as good as the classics, but what's the consensus on the new ones? Are they crap? I mostly flyfish and the the SC20's clean, simple design has a lot of appeal. Any input would be appreciated.

John R · #2 12-11-2003, 10:17 AM

Hmmmm - spending 18K on a new hull (guessing left over without engine and otherwise stripped, right?) or the roughly same coin for Hammer's schweet 1972/2003 restoration http://www.classicseacraft.com/cgi-b...c;f=4;t=000460

Tough call but add another 11K for the engine & trailer and Hammer's is a better value (and possibly boat too)

FELLOW-SHIP · #3 12-11-2003, 11:05 AM

Ha Loren B
I have a 1977 23 CC so I am not the best guy to guide you on a 20 footer but for me I personally love the hull of ALL SeaCrafts boats because of their over all look, which I thing is very appealing, plus the longitudinal steps in the hull which provides a great ride and entry into the water, and the variable dead rise which provides a stable platform for any type of fishing. As for the new ones verses the older one’s again this is me talking, the older one’s usually need work, lots of work to bring them back to new or nearly new states and some of the materials that they were made out of were not as water resistant as the new composite materials that the newer one’s are made out of. So it you are handy and like working on boats maybe the older ones are for you, but it you want to get on the water with one pretty boat and can afford the $$$ go for it. Either way SeaCrafts will always turn heads and be something that you will be able to build many great memories with.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Dave Hirshberg · #4 12-11-2003, 11:09 AM

Loren B,
It dosen't seem like an excepional deal to me. Once you add 10 to 12K on a motor and trailer your aound $30k. I sell new boats for a living and at a recent boat show saw a new 20 with a motor for $29,900. I woud suspect that he could have a little more room in the hull than $18K. Also its almost 2004. That leftover should be eating a hole in his floorplan by now. Tracker should be throwing some incentives at his leftover stock to help him move it so he can stock up on 04's. Two things you can do.
1. Go after the total deal motor and all. Most Dealers buy their product pre rigged or matched to a specific motor brand or type. If you buy only the boat, the floorplan company still requires the dealer to pay for the whole package boat and motor. You pay 18K but he might owe 24k and have to come up with the difference out of his own funds. Therefore your deal on the boat alone may not be as good as if you purchased the entire package form him. You may be able to get the entire package for 26 or 27K and not have to worry about doing your own rigging and your in a better position when it comes to warranty.
2. Stick with the hull alone, but offer less. Be prepared to do your own engine hunting and rigging. You could save money this way but don't expect much from the dealer on Mechanical or performance issues .
I don't see anything wrong with the new SeaCraft 20s. Nice boats--whish I could afford one.

ScottM · #5 12-11-2003, 12:15 PM

I'm with John R on this one, buy Hammer's boat. Restored to BETTER than new condition, recent power, new trailer. etc. No t-top, so perfect for flyfishing. Yeah it's in Mississippi, but so what, make a road trip out of it and get an awesome boat. However, if you're looking to finance the purchase, you may be out of luck because of the boat's age.

Yes, the new ones are nice, but this one is better. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ December 11, 2003, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: Scott ScottM ]

LorenB · #6 12-11-2003, 02:49 PM

$18,000 includes being pre-rigged for a Yamaha outboard. He's asking $29,300 with a single-axle aluminum trailer a 150-EFI Yamaha. I think I can get him down to $28,000 pretty easily. I would love to buy Hammer's boat but I don't know of anyone that will finance $20k on a boat that old. Thanks for everyone's help.

LorenB · #7 12-11-2003, 04:59 PM

Hey That70sBoat, do you remember the dealer that was asking $29,900 at the buy show? I may give him a call and see what he has. I think the dealer I'm dealing with is now jacking me around.

barnacle · #8 12-11-2003, 08:05 PM

Banks that deal in the marine business have no problem holding the paper on a older boat. All you will need is the boat gone over and the money is there.

Ed · #9 12-11-2003, 08:48 PM

LorenB-

It's HAMMERTIME.

Seriously, I think John's idea is great. Buy Hammer's vintage boat restored with all the bells & whistles for significantly less than a new one.

Ed

onthefly · #10 12-12-2003, 04:53 PM

As a fellow Charlestonian, now living and fishing a 1999 20 footer, I think you are good to go, either way. The 20 is great for fly fishing for all the reasons you indicated.

You didn't say where you are going to run the boat. Seacrafts are "happier" in salt or big fresh water lakes. It is overbuilt for bass lakes and your $ are better spent on a bass boat if you are doing rivers/lakes without real chop/slop/waves.

Don't plan to put a poling platform on it as it is a heavy boat and with any wind you will be too pooped to double haul...

Nobody mentioned electronics, spend what you can afford, but you will want a good GPS that can be read in bright sunlight (unlike mine), a good radio and a great antennae 9my radio is OK and my antennae needs another 3 foot of height, which should extend the range, but not be so tall as to mess up a backcast...Finally, you'll want a depth/fish finder. If these aren't in your "new" 2003, plan on at least another $800-1500...
Good luck and we hope to welcome you to the fraternity.
Sincerely,
"On the Fly"