2002 Boating Plan for me? - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

JohnR · 04-02-2002, 03:26 PM

How does this look?

This is an old SeaCraft 20 CC I am looking at with a very attractive price

Any of you familiar with these old Seacrafts?

schoolie monster · 04-02-2002, 04:06 PM

Not at all familiar, but it looks sweet. Is that the boat you told me about at the show?

Trailer looks to be in good shape too.

Hey, I bumped into Liam today. I showed him my boat (a picture) and also told him to mention to you that I catch bigger fish than you. I'm not sure if he'll relay that message or not. He's cool.

I'm looking at some big push button reels for Brittany... abu has a couple that could do the job. I want to see if she'll be able to catch some schoolies this year... solo. Now that she is a panfish pro.

Later.

GBOUTDOORS · 04-02-2002, 04:43 PM

Looks like a plan to me

I hope it works out for you John

Fishpart · 04-02-2002, 04:49 PM

It looks it it'll do the trick for sure. Might draw a little too much water for your ramp though.

Slipknot · 04-02-2002, 06:48 PM

I like it John, I love Seacrafts also. That looks like a sweet ride.

Is the motor old?

Striper1 · 04-02-2002, 08:37 PM

It looks like a dry ride

Mr. Kav · 04-03-2002, 07:16 AM

i think we have another entry in the boating fling.

JohnR · 04-03-2002, 08:38 AM

Slip - the motor is older but he powerhead was recently done over, as well as the transom & deck (common on older boats)...

I won't be rushing it for the season May 1st as I do have a few other important things to work on but hope to be ITW by mid June or so.

Schoolie - that's the one I was talking about. Since then, I've talked to the seller and got a lot more info on it and it sounds worth persuing... The trailer is new within the last 2 years.

Quote:

Hey, I bumped into Liam today. I showed him my boat (a picture) and also told him to mention to you that I catch bigger fish than you.

So that explains why he was laughing so much last night, he thought your jokes were funny

. While your fish are almost as big as mine, I take more pride in the fact that I have tried to pass along as much of the knowledge I have gained from my mentors on to you, little grasshopper. While some of those lessons haven't quite made it through yer thick skull - like good line, proper gear maintenance, redundancy, patience, taking care of your eels, smooth & fluid casts (OK, you probably cast the light stuff better than me

) - you have extracted sufficient info on the intracacies of surf striper bass angling to stay ahead of your wife (not that you let her out of the house much). Eventually, just maybe, you may be catching bigger fish than me

...

Billybob · 04-03-2002, 10:25 AM

Hey John - That looks like it would do the trick, I don't know anything about Seacrafts but that looks as good as a Bayliner !
Sorry, seriously - tell us more, where is it ?
It looks like it is pretty ready to fish too, so you could run it without wasting the summer refurbing it.
You know what they say John "An old Seacraft waits for no man" I think you better jump now, or forever hold your piece.

fishsmith · 04-03-2002, 10:32 AM

Just to keep your options open, I saw this on unclehenrys.com

1984 22' Privateer CC. 1997 Yamaha 250-hp. Honda 5-1/2-hp. 12" hydroslave hauler is brand new, 50-gal. fuel tank, this boat is very fast and stable, 15.500 motor worth 8,000.

You've got sign on for to get the phone # (or pay?)

schoolie monster · 04-03-2002, 02:33 PM

John, your way off here.

I learned the "good line" lesson during the south shore september to remember 2000. It only takes a few large snapping off to understand that 15# mono spooled in May, possibly could cost you a few fish when fishing around boulders roughly the size of cars during the fall run. The other lessons will come in good time. I'm still young.

I also have become big on sharpening hooks. I have always, always been lazy about that. My last trip to Canada, I lost like 4 straight fish and finally checked my hook to see it had absolutely no point.

I've started retying more often, checking my leaders and line for damage.

And... I'm trying some new stuff this year...braided line and flourocarbon leaders.

Its not really stubborness... its laziness. As I'm becoming more obsessed, I'm becoming more obsessive about preparing. As for taking care of eels...

I got a tip on using eels. You know how they wrap around your line and your hand. Drill a hole in the end of a popsicle stick. Put the hook thru the hole, feed the stick down the eel's gullet and he will be unable to move his body over the length of the stick... his tail will still move.

Nice... its bad enough that you stick a hook thru their throat and basically beat 'em to death via the cast. If their lucky, they attract a fish while they are fresh and it ends quickly for them. Why not add a popsicle stick down your throat for the last minutes of life... tough life.

JohnR · 04-03-2002, 02:44 PM

Schoolie - LMAO... Ixne on the pop stick, my method works just fine

- Check yer e-mail

Billybob - sent ya an e-mail, because after all, you don't know anything about Seacrafts (he has a REAL SWEET 23 he restored

)

Fishsmith, If I go with one of these older boats, I'm pretty much looking at the Seacraft - thanks for the link though...

I'll post more when I know more but anyone up for a sorta long R O A D T R I P?

schoolie monster · 04-03-2002, 03:29 PM

John, this tip came from one of the Boston Area charter captains at the SWS seminar I attended a few weeks ago.

He suggested that about five minutes after one of the other guys gave a tip on trolling live bluefish for tuna and sharks... it was during the last session which was kind of an open forum. The bluefish tip was as follows:

When slow trolling a live bluefish, sometimes the bluefish (being strong fish) get too frisky and cross your other lines. Take a pair of scissors and trim down the bluefish's tail fin. That way he'll be unable to swim around too much, not to mention that he'll try even harder to swim and really thrash around, thus drawing in the predators.

Then came the popsicle stick tip.

Whatever works I guess. I use eels and I'll liveline herring or mackerel. GS and I livelined shad for bluefish... that was brutal. Its not my favorite thing to do. But, I'm not ready for PETA yet. However, I guess I have to draw the line at torturing the poor little things.

179 · 04-04-2002, 07:56 AM

I don't know much about the older SeaCraft boats, but I do know the new ones are quality pieces. It looks to be in good shape and I love a boat with a leaning post!

TheSpecialist · 04-04-2002, 10:43 AM

Johnthats a nice boat. I am very envious. I love Seacraft.

JohnR · 04-04-2002, 10:50 AM

179 - I'm very interested in the performance of that boat as that motor may wind up on the back of this. Did you get it yet? And where did you buy it?

gf2020 · 04-04-2002, 09:16 PM

From your postings at www.classicseacraft.com it sounds like a road trip is in order!

nightfighter · 04-04-2002, 09:32 PM

JR
I am familiar with the 23' Seacraft, and it was as good a CC as I have fished out of, great in a big sea too, didn't chimelock at all. The bow on this has a different shear, more like the Wellcraft my brother has. That deflects the spray away from the boat, but sends it up as well, which is a no win situation when the breeze is forward of the beam. But this looks like a very nice hull. I assume from the registration that you are talking a roadtrip to the Carolinas?

Rosco

Stars and Stripers forever

nightfighter · 04-04-2002, 11:10 PM

Just to throw a wrench in the works....from yachtsalvage.com

www.yachtsalvage.com/Listings/25Contender93.htm

179 · 04-05-2002, 09:13 AM

John,
The boat was trialed this past Tuesday. I bought the boat from Viking Marine in Portsmouth, RI. The guy Scott who owns the dealership is a class act as far as I can tell, and knows his outboards. I should be testing it tomorrow for myself.

He tested the boat with another boater who runs a 25' contender or regulator I believe (jason, aka Trayder, on The Hull Truth boards). Here are his comments:

"I liked it so much I am planning on buying that motor. Performace was fantastic. Scott took down the #'s but with the two of us and 20 gals of fuel and last nights not so pleasant conditions. She got on to plane in under 5 secs, stayed on a plane at 3000rpms cruised @ 31-33,mph @ 4000rpms, 34-36 4500rpms and will go 42-44mph at 5800rpms. The boat was smooth and did not pound at all, seas in the outer harbor were a solid 2 with a 3 occasional. Very nice ride! and that motor is great. The boys on the hull truth will not believe you but with me as your witness. I am guessing it has similar numbers to a Yamaha 150 but your gas mileage will be superior."

JohnR · 04-05-2002, 09:20 AM

179 - I figured that was your boat or one just like it

I was talking to Jason 2 days ago about that test drive. He was very impressed with that engine. What name do you go by on THT? I've been working closely with Jason about various Seacraft 20 details and I can tell you he's a class guy. He's knee deep in a 69 20CC restore right now. New from the Stringers up... The other boat he drives is the Contender

NF - not trailer friendly

179 · 04-05-2002, 01:09 PM

Yeah I think Scott was pretty excited with the performance on the 140, from what he said he hadn't heard of anyone else using that combination. I guess I was the test mule, lol.

So you took a peek at the boat, how do you like the way it's rigged out? Radio, GPS, FF, should all be in this weekend. Should be a nice platform for our waters.

I've heard nothing but great things about Scott from everyone who seems to know him. I think I made the right decisision....

JohnR · 04-05-2002, 02:20 PM

I'll need to "Demo" the engine with you...

Scotch Bonnet · 04-05-2002, 07:28 PM

The owner of Viking Marine is an excellent guy. Last year when I was looking at Carolina Skiffs he went out of his way to get me a test drive with one of his customers who also had nothing but good things to say about him. This is rare for a boat salesman in my experience. I wish he hadn't stopped building the Car. skiffs because I was forced to go to the jacka$$es at Port Edgewood in Cranston

179 · 04-06-2002, 06:16 PM

John,
No problem with a test ride. E-mail me direct and give me your tel no. When it's in the water I'll give you a call.

nor-easter · 04-08-2002, 09:50 PM

John...Flyfishsalt down in Marion has his 20 ft. Sea Craft for sale.
I am trying to think where on here I saw it. $18500. I think with equipment. Give him a jingle. Joe Leclair. North Eastern Charters does inshore flyrodding and offshore flyrodding.

JohnR · 04-09-2002, 07:58 AM

Chet - he's asking WAY too much for that boat and that's too heavy a motor for it too... Besides, rumor has it that the boat was on the wrong end of a Regulator -v- Seacraft collision...

JeffH · 04-09-2002, 12:04 PM

When I first started looking for a boat the 20'-23' Seacrafts caught my eye more than any other, they have such clean lines and a classic look. Started the search for one and was stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the prices.

. My friend has a 1972 20' Seacraft with a 140HP IO, that thing will go through any size waves like a tank. Fairly dry and stable but a real brute on the towing vehicle. I don't think you can go wrong if the price is right.

I ended up with a 20' Maritime Skiff, Honda 90, Leaning Post, 32" console. Easy to tow, cheap to operate, dry and versatile. What I found was I didn't like heavy tackle fishing so having a boat that I could take into the skinny water was what I needed. This fits the bill and can run to Block on the good days.

Make sure you leave something in the piggy bank for those s**t happens events.........

Scotch Bonnet · 04-09-2002, 06:44 PM

Theres alot to be said for the new skiffs on the market. Combined with a new four stroke they are VERY efficient and will provide years of trouble free fishing. Old boats, motors and trailers require time and money and the occaissional migrain on the water. I bought a 21 ft Carolina Skiff w/ 8 ft beam, CC, leaning post w/30 gal livewell, front casting deck, 50 hp Suzuki and trailer for $13k. I won't be going 50 mph out to Block, but it will be a stable inshore boat that can go into the shallows and out to Block on the calm mornings, and I didn't touch the college funds! Just trying to give another angle. Good luck!

bloocrab · 04-10-2002, 07:50 AM

....JohnR, heres my 24 foot money~pitt!!!.....

..took a ride to the boat medic yesterday...and he says it has a serious virus...and needs more than a tetanus shot...

..."supposedly"....he's going to put in the impeller/waterpump kit this weekend.....then replace the tilt motor.....then he's gonna come up with something else he thinks it needs.

aaaaaaaahhhhh.....to be at the mercy of a mechanic....

..you can't see it but, the outdrive hasn't been removed in a looooooong time....thats what scared me out of it..!! oh well....I can only wait and see now....