23' SeaCraft-1970's Model. - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

nor-easter · 08-14-2002, 07:52 AM

John
To answer your question from another thread.
We had a 22' Mako CC w/125 Mercury o/b and I thought it was a really good boat for Buzzards Bay.
I was fishing at Cuttyhunk and carried my Parties from the Outdoorsman Dock in New Bedford.
The first year I owned the Mako 22, in October when we hauled at the end of the season, we found cracks in the bottom!
The Dealer called the Factory Rep. and he sent us a new boat, something about a bad batch of resin and weather conditions when molded up down south.
Next year, September and I am headed back to the Island, alone, after dropping a party off in New Bedford. I get out just beyond Great Ledge and notice the boat is acting strange. No lift to hull. Suddenly I am into a wave, not over it, and the boat is doing a submerge act. I back off the throttle and she slowly comes up to the surface, bow high but I am in water to my waist at the console. Rescue is a story for another day.
This time the Factory Rep. says Sorry, no warrantee, I heard about how you go back and forth to Cuttyhunk and you have abused the hull.
I trade the hull to the Dealer for a 23' SeaCraft.
Now, here is a boat for Buzzards Bay. That 23 Footer with the 354 Ford and Mercrusier Outdrive was the absolute berries for my type of work. As we got into it we learned to do preventive maintenance like replacing the coupling to the outdrive on a 400 hour cycle and swapping heads in liew of a valve job every 500 hours. We had that engine tuned to turn 325 RPM on the troll and max out at 5000 on top. We ran at 4000 when steaming and got 24 knots with no problem. FAC, 6 foot swells howling 40 knot winds, rain, you name it. That machine would just answer up and do her job.
I have been in the newer models but the builders have done their work in the wrong direction, IMHO, because the newer ones are light and jump all over the ocean. Find an older hull and recondition it if needed. You will be happy with the results.
If you want me to run it for you we can maybe work out a deal!

JohnR · 08-14-2002, 08:12 AM

That's what I wanted to hear

(well, about the Seacraft - not the Mako)... Sorry that you needed rescue. Which brings another question - why wouldn't the boat lift BEFORE you took the header into the wave? That's scary.

Everyone I've talked to with an older 23 says it's the Cat's Bottom in the snot. A few issues need attention on them like reworking the scuppers and closing of the transom but they are the best boat in it's size class... One of the guys on the site, Trayder, also runs a site for older seacrafts called http://classicseacraft.com . A lot of guys from up & down the coast with mostly older 20s and 23s...

That's what I hope to get my hands on someday.

Thanks for the info, it is greatly appreciated.

nor-easter · 08-14-2002, 10:00 AM

You ask why was rescue needed?
The freaking Mako was full of water, inside the hull and inside the deck as well. The motor was barely above water, I was in water to my butt.
The cracks in the bottom allowed the water to enter the hull, between the bottom and deck. The bilge pump was over whelmed by the flow, the boat was so full of water that instead of lifting over the waves it went through the waves and when it went into a large wave, the last wave, the water came over the bow and into the cockpit and she started to submerge. If I had not backed off the throttle I think she may have gone fully submerged till the engine died and then would have come back up to the bow high stern low position. The floatation foam inside causes it to float that way but believe me, it can get rather scary when your boat is submerging like a submarine on a crash dive and you don't have a scuba set up on!
I was towed by the bow towing clip and by the time we were in New Bedford the hull was empty of water.
I cranked up the Mercury and went to the boat yard under my own power, to be hauled for survey!

Just another chapter in my fifty plus years of being around the Bay!

Scotch Bonnet · 08-14-2002, 10:19 AM

Chet, what kind of boat do you run now?

JohnR · 08-14-2002, 10:29 AM

Chet - I misread your post, I thought there was a different reason that the boat wasn't lifting out, not that it was loaded with NaclH20. I thought the water came in because of the stuffed bow and not because the bottom cracks in the SECOND hull... Wasn't trying to make light of you swimming in your boat...

Wow - 2 hulls and 2 cracks! And to say they are tough yet the factory voids the warranty because you stoll from NB to Cutty, what a.... I also imagine that was 25+ years ago, right? You also may be saddened to know that the current company that owns Seacraft also owns Mako

capesams · 08-14-2002, 11:39 AM

JOHN R:

I find what you said[closeing off the stern] very interesting , as you know mine is wide open. Water comes in ,water goes out. never any water down under. Seal off everything back there an bury the stern in a good sea, no problem's.........sinkcraft my a**
Bring on the snot, I'll see you home for dinner

nor-easter · 08-14-2002, 02:40 PM

We currently operate a 29.5' Crosby Hawk
Built oddly enough by the Crosby Yacht Yard in Osterville in 1985. purchased by us in April of 2000.
Powered by twin 250 hp Yamaha Outboard Engines.
Top speed 44 MPH. Cruise between 24 and 28 dependent on where we are, where we want to go and weather conditions.

Very comfortable vessel.
Cockpit size 11.5 beam and about 12 feet from transom to aft bulkhead of house.
Only thing I miss is a tiller to run with while fishing. I have to stay inside and run from the cozy cabin. Miss the spray and fun of dodging waves from back aft.

Scotch Bonnet · 08-14-2002, 09:00 PM

Nice rig!

nor-easter · 08-14-2002, 09:40 PM

Very close.. The House goes a bit further aft. Has a full dinette, which makes into bunk for two and the control console as well as the cabin heater in the aft stbd corner for those early spring/ late fall trips.
Galley head/shower and vee berth down below.

I do not have a digi camera or I would post a photo.

JohnR · 08-15-2002, 03:52 PM

Specialist - thanks for the e-mail.... Typical Want Ad misprint, the guy wants 20K for it but keep those links coming, there may be a pearl in there yet

TheSpecialist · 08-18-2002, 04:22 PM

No prob, stupid typesetters, doh

JohnR · 08-19-2002, 08:22 AM

Hehehe - dAmN tYpOs

Well - mind is pretty made up, after getting a tip from Clammer where one was located to eyeball - the decision is that much easier as the amount of freeboard is much greater and therefore safer for my son to be on

. That 23 has ROOM, ROOM, ROOM

Anyone know of a 23 hull in some yard - I want it

capesams · 08-19-2002, 11:23 AM

year?

i/o?

o/b?

septre?

c/c?

$ ..ta spend?

something that floats,,,,,or not?

needs lots of work or not?

no trailer/trailer?

motor/no motor?

Please fill out this info...............soz I/we know what ta look for.
JOHN R............need somtin ta gos on

JohnR · 08-19-2002, 12:30 PM

Please fill out this info...............soz I/we know what ta look for.
JOHN R............need somtin ta gos on

OK - keep in mind I'm still in warm up looking ad I won't be ready to pull trigger for a few months but here goes:

year? 70s perferably

i/o? not really

o/b? yeh but I'd sell it quickly or after the first year (certainly if older)

septre? I'm really thinking no. Although I've seen at least one wich had a small cuddy AND the Center Console (like this: http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/0/2/31160102.htm )

c/c? yep

$ ..ta spend? not much allocated yet ... but that will improve in a few months. That's why I need to wait. Certain things need to fall into place before I can do it. So if something came up tomorrow - I'd be killin' myself (but still let me know when you see things...)

something that floats,,,,,or not? Well, I know a guy that did well with a sinker so I'm willing to start there and fix it so it don't happen

needs lots of work or not? Some work needed that can be spread out over time while using...

no trailer/trailer? Trailer will be needed weather it comes with it or not...

motor/no motor? see above

BTW - You're neglecting the off-topic area Over There

capesams · 08-19-2002, 02:36 PM

JUST cuz the cats away, doesn't mean the rats can't play.

I know..I know I'll git me a*** back there. tryin ta GET sam'S junk tagether fa school , going next mon. goin ta MISS THE THE LITTLE GUY.

DIDN'T know anyone missed me?

that c/c was a septre, I think for the family thats the one to have. nothing to say you can't take out the i/o an turn it into an o/b for more room in the stren. then again if the i/o is running good ,leave well enough alone..........6.500 is cheap, I don't think your going to find anything better for that kind of bucks, and if you do it aint goin ta be above water.

hhhhmmmmmmmm! ....79 carefull, don't git me ta thinkin

JohnR · 08-19-2002, 03:27 PM

Quote:

MISS THE THE LITTLE GUY.

Little guy, he ain't no little guy, he's a big kid, bigger than you

(smart too and I think he'll do just fine)...

I see that it's a Septre with the windshield knocked down but it does have a CC too, So the question is, was it that way from the factory? And if so, which model. And if not, it's a pretty cool idea...

So while I really would like the CC with the big console or built DH, either with a porta potti for my wife and get a bow dodger for those hot suns, that particular layout is interesting too. I'm not against the Septre cuddy layout but I'd REALLY prefer the CC & big console... Pretty nice concept eh? They also have a Seavette for sale too... But not for me.

I also found a 74CC with 225 O/B in St Pete for $5500, so I know there will be stuff come winter time... Just need to drive 1500 friekin' miles to get it

capesams · 08-19-2002, 04:43 PM

YEH! big an smart......didn't get from me.........maybe the mailman

that boat was made by someone, seen a few like that around. WELL if ya have to do the drive it'll be only once, an you'll be so glad you did. I can see it now 110mph goin down , 55 comin home. YOU"LL be stoppin at every rest spot an gettin out just ta look at her.YOU"LL be doing this on the side of the road

people well give you a wide burth ,honey look at wackko , someone call 911, the heat must have gotten to that poor man .little do they know the true joy of owning a reel boat. Like the guy's told me , you just wait

JohnR · 08-19-2002, 04:56 PM

capesams · 08-19-2002, 05:16 PM

TheSpecialist · 08-19-2002, 06:03 PM

I might be able to take a ride, if we could stop at basspro, and dollhouse

capesams · 08-19-2002, 07:06 PM

TELL me when ya goin I want ta put an order in fa som fireworks

JohnR · 08-20-2002, 07:24 AM

Bill - Dollhouse? Do I want to know? Aren't you married?

TheSpecialist · 08-20-2002, 04:29 PM

It's just like window shopping for a boat.....

Fireworks???

capesams · 08-20-2002, 08:17 PM

YEH ! you know ..those things that go boom in the night.

Clammer · 08-20-2002, 08:43 PM

Ya Don,t have to go South for bangs ,Plenty up here ,good selection,easier than Striperd

Scotch Bonnet · 08-20-2002, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by clamdigger
Ya Don,t have to go South for bangs ,Plenty up here ,good selection,easier than Striperd

I got 2 words for ya Mike.................SOUTH BEACH!!!!

capesams · 08-20-2002, 10:09 PM

CLAMDIGGER: I weren't lookin fa stripper's

Scotch Bonnet · 08-23-2002, 06:42 PM

You guys know the hull weight of a 70s SeaCraft 23 cc. I notice alot of the older boats handle the chop alot better than the newer boats. I'm guessing its a weight thing. Coming back from Block last weekend I was watching an old Whaler cut right thru the waves while we were goin up and down in a new ProSports.

capesams · 08-23-2002, 08:23 PM

SB.........they ran between 3-3500#,,,,,hull only

septre's w/alittle more than c/c's

Scotch Bonnet · 08-23-2002, 09:06 PM

Thanks.......