85 23' SeaCraft for sale

laubach · #1 11-06-2004, 03:53 PM

Galveston, Texas boat restored in '99. Listed with broker. Asking $29.9 K. Details available at:

http://www2.yachtworld.com/core/list...ssportfishing&

Trayder · #2 11-07-2004, 10:36 AM

How long has you had this boat for sale and would you consider selling the boat without those engines?

laubach · #3 11-07-2004, 11:16 AM

I've been looking for a good home for this boat in the local market since January, 2003. SeaCrafts seem to be rare on the Texas coast so I believe that their quality is either unknown or under appreciated here.

Regarding the engines, they are '99 twin counter-rotating FICHT 150s with 2000 heads and low hours. I would prefer to sell them with the boat.

Trayder · #4 11-08-2004, 07:30 AM

The reason your boat has not sold in almost 2 years is not due to your location or the unknown quality of the boat, its those engines.

Great looking boat good luck with the sale.

Ed · #5 11-08-2004, 01:49 PM

Hey there-

Trayder is right. I sell boats for a living and we will not take any in on trade that have Ficht engines. While I do not doubt that your engines are problem free....parts for those engines can be hard to find because OMC went bankrupt. The other problem is trying to resell a boat with them....most people in the boating community know to stay away from them.

My suggestion to you is take the engines off the boat and sell them to a commerical fisherman, outboard mechanic, or someone on ebay, etc...someone who wants them. Then, either sell just the hull or take the money from the sold fichts and put it toward a good used/rebuilt single outboard for the seacraft and then try and sell it again.

Good luck and let me know if you have any questions.

laubach · #6 11-09-2004, 11:38 AM

Thanks for your comments. I was ignorant of the reputation that these engines have aquired. My experience with them is that they are quiet, powerful, instant starting, fuel efficient, and problem free. I was perturbed when the backruptcy voided the third year of the warranty, but that turned out not to be an issue. I can also understand the effects of a bad reputation. I have friends that still won't have a Mercury on their boat at gunpoint.

So, to the point: How much is the boat worth without the engines? The NADA guide only lists SeaCrafts built after '98. This site has prices ranging from $7500 for a sunk hull to $45 K with a single 230.