SeaCraft price increase?

[Mark]

I'm not sure what or who we have to thank/blame, but there seems to have been a rather rapid increase in price tags on older SeaCraft boats over the past five years. When I bought my 18' in late '98, you could easily find 20'CC's with decent power and trailer for $2500-3000. Although there are still the odd instances of people getting a pretty decent deal (anyone heard of Finster?) Now you have opportunists listing Tracker era beater 20's with no power and in need of a lot of work for $6500 on boattrader.

If you want a Potter era 23', stand in line and be ready to pounce at a moments notice.

Has the interest level reached such a point that sellers assume that those desiring these boats will pay whatever they ask?

Earlier this year there was someone basically using this site as a brokerage for friends who were selling SeaCraft boats: preying on the fans basically.

When a boat comes on the market now it has become a race to see who can dial the fastest and drive themselves to south Florida to pick up a hull in need of significant cash infusions.

I guess if you are selling, times couldn't be better. If you are in the market to buy, you'd better have a tow vehicle gassed up and ready to roll.

I was in Stuart, Florida, last week and in driving around saw quite a number of boat rehab facilities with 1970's SeaCrafts in various stages of completion. Most yards I stopped in at had two or more having refits done.

Anyone care to weigh in on why all the nostalgia now?

[Ryan]

Just my opinion but I think that first off is the new seacrafts do not seem to be worth the money for what they come with. for example the last time I looked at a new 20 at Bass pro the boat was just too expensive to come with a pedestal seat and the limited amount of electronics. Not to say that other boats come fully equipped with all the bells and whistles or that other brands are superior, but 35000 for a 20cc with a 130 is just too much when you factor in A ttop, electronics, and whatever extras you may want. Also when you run your hand under the gunnel you can feel the ends of screws exposed. I think something like that makes you wonder about things you cant see. As far as the older models, there really is something about the way they look that is really appealing to the eye, and everyone that you ask says they are one of the best riding small hulls out there. Even people that dont know that much about boats seem to know that. Also some of you guys in here are as much to blame (joking) when someone comes in here for the first time and sees a 15 to 30 year old boat that looks as good or better than what they see on the dealership floor. Now im really starting to ramble but its almost like restoring an old car but with the difference being that you can take it out and really use it on your off time. I grew up on a 20 seacraft and I love them there aren't many others I would to have in that range

[John R]

Down in Florida I think you have more options than us up north. A few things I wanted when I was looking and what steered me to the Seacraft was the rumored ride in the snot and how solid a boat it was. It was also one of the few boats that can be found in the older year classes and found for relatively decent coin. To go back a bit and get a good snot boat meant an old Whaler (pricey & very wet pounder), older Mako (semi-pricey pounder), 23-24 Formula/T-Bird/Performer Hull (fairly rare up here - non pounder), Fish Nautique (rare, don't want an inboard), Shamrock (real pricey inboards) or an old seacraft. The Formula & Seacraft hulls are the better riding of these choices, higher performanced, and both are GEORGEOUS looking hulls. Either is a drop dead steal your breath hull. One of the things that also sold the Seacraft was the notion that up here they ask high 60s for a new 23SC. You can probably even get the speckled paint [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] . But the other thing that sold me on the 23SC is that is what a lot of the local R&R bass comm fishermen and some of the Tuna boys use around here. An old Cuttyhunk bass man I know said that it was hands down the best in its class in Buzzards Bay and off the Hunk. THAT carries a lot of weight with me too...

So yo have one of the few hulls that can compete with todays high flyin' Regulators and Contenders, not too mention new SeaMakos rolling out in the 60K bracket looking much the same THIRTY years later and its no suprise that the market is being pushed by those that know and respect the older Seacrafts and those that see the relative "value" of owning one of these old warhorses.

[ScottM]

Whay all the nostalgia now? Simple, new SC's have been on the market now for 6 years or so. The SeaCraft wave has been building over that time and has reached new heights not seen since the early 80's before Tracker purchased the molds. People unfamiliar with SC's now know about them and the legendary ride, and old timers that always knew what they had now realize what they can potentially get for that "Potter-era" 20 or 23.

There are (2) 20 CC's for sale in my area, both early 70's with mid- to late-80's power, trailer, typical electronics, etc. One is in tough shape and even the seller admits to some TLC needed (engine work), the other is in nice shape and could be used right away. Both are selling for $8-9K. To me that is outrageous for a 30 year old 20 footer that has most likely not had any structural work done.

For my father, I'm glad he got in when the market was down (late 1997), but for me it stinks. I've started looking for a 20 CC but the asking prices around here are unreasonable for the package you're getting, and I'm not in a position to refurb a hull in bad shape. However, the hunt will continue, and in the meantime I still have Dad's 23 to enjoy.

[GetReel]

Its supply, demand and Otto Cuyler [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[TUGBOAT]

Yee HAAAAA !!!!!

Paid $6800. in '95 for Mine ! motor went out 3-4 months later !! Wish I knew bout the "Cheap" ones ! [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] Oh well I would'nt change a thing "Love My SeaCraft" !! [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[FELLOW-SHIP]

It is nice to have a boat that most other boats are compared to it instead of it being compared to others. Kind of like owning a 1957 Chevy or a 1962 Corvette, or a old Harley, If you think they cost a lot now just wait another 10 years and then see how much a 1976 Potter 23 CC SeaCraft will be going fore. There isn’t 2 trips in a row that someone doesn’t stop me and say is that a old Seacraft, or if I am talking to someone about fishing or boating and the question comes up on the boat I have, when I say a old SeaCraft that I re did it seems that my credibility goes up about 5 notches. I don’t know if I really deserve the 5 notches bet I get the credit anyway.
FellowShip [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[Capt Chuck]

[ November 03, 2003, 04:35 PM: Message edited by: capt chuck steele ]

[ocuyler]

Just the fact that a large number of SeaCrafts have been reconditioned/renovated, the value of these boats will naturally go up. In fact a good renovation by someone that is really good, like many on this site, may be the very best bargain. I agree completely with John R. Folks narrow in on these boats and to find an excellent condition 23 with a recent re-power is worth every bit of $20,000 or more.

As comparables are now commonly available, surveyors and appraisers have no choice but to include those comparables in their valuation.

Possibly the least attractive deal is the low priced "fixer-upper" as it represents a huge investment of at least $15,000 to properly renovate. Many have spent more. Much more. As a result, only a hearty (and wealthy) few will take on a full renovation if they know what they are doing. I think you'll see good deals on SeaCraft fixer-uppers for the forseeable future. You have to be ready to travel, inspect for yourself and pull the trigger.

I have no doubt that this site, which was intended to promote classic SeaCrafts has done exactly that. And very well indeed.

[capt jeff]

TIME IS MONEY & MY TIME IS PRICELESS! !! I WOULD RATHER BE DIVIN & FISHIN & CRUISIN BY THE SANDBAR THAN WORKIN ON ON A OLD TRANSOM! ! ! BEEN THERE & DONE THAT! !
I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE SAID FOR A TURNKEY PURCHASE. I BOUGHT MINE IN GOOD CONDITION & DID SMALL PROJECTS THAT DIDNT STOP ME FROM BOATING FOR LONG SPELLS. I DONT WANT MORE THAN ONE BOAT AT A TIME . LIFE IS TUFF ENOUGH. I WAS TOLD WHEN I GOT MY FIRST BOAT THAT" SOMETHING IS BREAKING ON IT RIGHT NOW" & IT SURE HAS TURNED OUT TO BE THE TRUTH.ALWAYS SOMETHING TO TINKER WITH.
WITH THE COST OF NEW BOATS FOREVER ON THE RISE I SUSPECT MY 1974 POTTER BUILT 23 CC WILL BE WORTH MORE WITH EVERY PASSING YEAR ! ! ! ! MAYBE IM WRONG ! ! I CANT THINK OF A BETTER BOAT "TO GET STUCK WITH " I DO LIKE THE WAY THE REAL MARINERS LOOK AT THE BOAT WHEN IM CRUISIN THE OLE GAL! IS IT TRUE THAT THE NEW ONES JUST AINT THE SAME! ! ! & PEOPLE PAY IN THE 60'S FOR THEM ! SHEEESSSH ! ! ! ! ! ! !