2003 SeaCraft SC25

[Stretch]

I am shopping for a new center console boat in the 25ft. size range and the SeaCraft SC25 meets all of my criteria: can be powered with a single 250 OB, large bow platform with an optional spray hood (to get the kids out of the sun and for overnighting every now and then), head facilities inside the console, decent seating in the stern, "euro" transom configuration, no bow pulpit. On paper, the boat is pretty much ideal for the needs of my family.

I realize this is a "classic" site and the SC25 is a new boat designed by the Tracker Marine folks with no counterpart in the "classic" SeaCraft heritage. On the other hand, the members of this message forum have a wealth of SeaCraft information and you surely are tuned in to the present status of the brand. Tell me, what is the build quality of a 2003 model boat? Do I have anything to worry about in that area? This is a major purchase for me and if there is any doubt about significant quality issues, I must look elsewhere.

Thank you for your assistance.

[AlexT]

Not a lot of discussion of the 25 happens on this board, likely for all the reasons you mention. You might have better luck posting your question over at www.thehulltruth.com where you'll find a larger pool of owners some comparisons against other top-quality boats in this size including Regulator, Contender, etc.

[ltdan]

HI STRETCH,
IT LOOK'S LIKE YOU FOUND YOUR BOAT. I SEA TRIALED A 25' WITH A SINGLE 225 OPTI ON IT VERY RECENTLY. GREAT RIDE OF COURSE,BUT,IT WAS SLUGISH OUT OF THE HOLE WITH ONLY 2 PEOPLE ABOARD AND NO MORE THAN 40 GAL'S OF FUEL. I'LD DEFENITLY HAVE 250HP,NO LESS.THE FINISH WORK ON THE HULL IS AS GOOD AS ANY PRODUCTION BOAT OUT THERE,BUT,AND THIS IS A BIG ONE FOR ME,,, THE RIGGING STINK'S. OPEN ANY PIE COVER,HATCH,OR LOOK INTO THE BILGE AND YOU'LL SEE POOR RIGGING AT BEST. NOT A SINGLE WIRE CUT TO LENGTH,AND THEN FASTENED PROPERLY. THE WIRING AND BATTERY/SHIFT/THROTTLE CABLE'S ARE JUST KIND OF THROWN IN THE BILGE.IN THE 65K PRICE RANGE,THAT'S WHAT IT'LL TAKE FOR NEW,I EXPECTED BETTER. I WOULD'NT LET IT STOP ME FROM BUYING ONE,BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE WAY THE HULL RIDES IS WORTH THE TRADE OFF. I'M ON A MISSION TO FIND AN OLD 23' TO REBUILD TO MY OWN LIKING,BUT IF I CAN'T FIND ONE FOR THE RIGHT PRICE,,,,,TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION HOW MUCH I'LL SPEND ON HER AND WHAT SHE'LL BE WORTH TO ME WHEN SHE'S DONE,I'LL WIND UP BUYING A NEW 25'. I'LL ALSO HOPE TO WORK INTO THE DEAL SOME PROPER RIGGING AT THE FACTORY LEVEL. I'M CONFIDENT IF THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED,THE 25' IS A LIFETME BOAT WITH GOOD MAINTANENCE AND UPKEEP. I JUST RAN OUT OF MICHELOB,SO I GOTTA GO [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] . GOOD LUCK,AND KNOW THIS,FOOT FOR FOOT,I DON'T THINK THERE'S A BETTER RIDING BOAT AFLOAT.
LT DAN

[Miles Offshore]

Not that I dont love my Seacraft but for that kind of money you can get a really nice big used boat in nice condition around here like a 27 Albie or 25'Carolina Classic.A lot more boat with deep "v"'s and slightly used ,fully rigged normally with riggers,electronics and possibly diesel powered. I was talking with some friends about this exact same thing last week (25 seacraft) and we all agreed that thats we(I) would do,ie- Go the used route. I dont think that the differences between the 23' and the 25'are worth the extra 20K that you would pay for the 25'er.JMO-craig

[ocuyler]

The 25 at the Ft. Lauderdale show was powered with twin 150 Mercs. Probly more like it.

Otto

[Trayder]

Alex-

I think Strech already posted on THT.

Stretch-

I have noticed there is not alot of talk about the SC25 on any of the online sites, I do not know why. I will give you my opinion of the SC 25 as I did consider purchasing one back in 1999. The SC25 is small in comparison to what I considered its competition, Contender 25, Regulator 26, SeaVee 25 and so on. I found the SC 25 to be very similar in size to the 23 except it has an integrated bracket. Someone once mentioned the SC 25 is actually a 23 with an integrated brack but I can not confirm this. I liked the lines of the SC 25 and the head in the console. I found it very family friendly and the fisnish to be of a quality boat builder.

Ulitmitly I did not choose the SC 25 because I was not looking for a family friendly boat and chose the Contender 25 which has a level deck, is longer LOA, and beam wise, these are things I like for long range fishing trips but I do think the SC 25 is finished nicer and would guess it is a fine ridding boat as it shares the same hull design as the 23.

[Stretch]

Tell me, Otto, now that you have seen the latest version of the SC25, what did you think about the fit and finish?

[Stretch]

I know all boats can have quality issues but here are two The Hull Truth postings that definitely got my attention:

POST NUMBER ONE

I have a 2001, 25' SeaCraft that has some problems. The boat was purchased from the Sportsman's Warhouse in Dania, FL new in September of 2001. Recently I found air voids in the lifting strakes. The voids are approximately 4 feet, 3 feet and 1.5 feet. Accoring to the Warranty Manager, this is a common problem in all boats. To me they seem much larger than common air voids.

Problem #2. The floor of the boat has several cracks approximately 8 feet long. The cause of the cracks can not be determined until the deck is removed. According to their fiberglass expert, the non-skid pattern in the floor is almost impossible to match after the repairs are made. There will always be signs of the repair.

SesCraft has agreed to repair the boat, but will not replace the hull.

Seems like I bought a lemon.

POST NUMBER TWO

Air voids are air pockets that form in gelcoat as it's being applied. You can't tell it's there until it pops. Usually they're smaller than a dime but I guess they can also be quite large. I've had 4 or 5 fixed on my 2000 Seacraft 23 Classic. I've also had problems with cracking. A few months after getting my boat a thick crack was discovered in the port side of the inner liner in the foreward bilge. It went from the foreward access hole to as far foreward as I could reach my arm. Mako had to remove the casting deck in the front and re glass the entire thing. Now, a year later, the in deck livewell is splitting horizontally. It seems that it was sandwiched in too tightly and is being crushed between the deck and the large blobs of Bondo that they sat it on. Looking at these problems that we're having, you'd think that Mako/Seacraft never made a boat before. Amazing... If it weren't for the fact that I put so many hours into the boat installing the Radar/Fishfinder/VHF/Stereo/etc well you get the picture...

Are these isolated incidents and/or indicators of owner abuse? Or, are they truly representative of Tracker-era SeaCraft production quality? Please, folks, give me some guidance here.

[POUNCE]

I have had a few gel voids filled on my 2000 23. I have also been on hand to commision maybe 50 new boats (power and sail of various brands) in the last 15 years and have seen maybe 10 that did not have the problem.

I've seen two Blackfins come straight from the factory with gel voids so bad, it looked like it was strafed by a vulcan chain gun.

I personally am not a big fan of the 25. Don't get me wrong its a very nice boat but it does not hold alot of value to me - especially after spending alot of time on the 26' Regulator. The fit and finish on the two are the same but the brawn of the Regulator is what sets the two apart for me (even though the SeaCraft rides better and rocks way less). However, if you are getting the 25 get at least twin 150's.

[ocuyler]

Stretch,

I also saw the one at Annapolis show. The fit and finish is substancialy better than my 89, but frankly, not as good as Contender, Regulator, SailFish and others. I have no way to compare hulls as I've only experienced the SeaCraft.

Bottom line? Buying a new 23 or 25 doesn't make sense for me as there are so many good hulls around to refit.

If money wasn't an object, what would I buy in a 23 or 25? Good question.

Regards,

Otto