Life after a SeaCraft ?

[abl1111]

Thinking of selling my girl - a '75 23' Tsunami. Been 16 years since my resto. She runs great and is perfect. It's the natural progression - wanting something different for the sake of something different.

My question - what 24'-26' boat rides as good as or better than our beloved SC. I know I speak blasphemy but there are other boats - I'm looking for either a cuddy like my Tsunami or a CC

It is hard to even consider this move asI brag about my boat all the time and really have no boat envy. And, its not written in stone but I'm dabbling... I'm not that much of a speed demon, cruising usually at 26mph but I do like a boat that runs in everything from a short 2'3' chop to larger swells, and in all sea states. It must be built like a brick sh*t house. Not rock when fishing. Be dry. Fuel efficient as possible for a deep V or variable deadrise... For coastal fishing but mostly beaching and getting from point A to B. Sounds like the Holy Grail !

Boats I like:

245 Edgewater
26 Regulator

Have thought of Rambo, Conch, White and Bluewater, Competition, SeaVee, Contender, Carolina Classic ( too much of a fishing machine ). Boats like Whaler, Parker just do not have the ride I've become accustomed to. I love the Carolina Classic 25 but its a lot of boat and really for further offshore fishing than I do. If a 26' Fortier was faster....

Also, many of the boats mentioned are too $$$, have limitations or less than desirable attributes...

Thoughts ? I know I know... blasphemy...

Please - At this point, don't ask about the sale of my boat - if and when I sell her, I will put her up for sale here giving enthusiasts first crack..

Thanks for your thoughtful input...

[flyingfrizzle]

I was thinking 26 regulator in my mind when I read this but I see you have that listed. Get ready to shell out twice what they were used a decade ago. Ive been watching the market on them for a while and they have gone up a lot but so has everything in 23' foot plus. I seen a rare regulator express the other day that was a cool sled. It would be more "Dry" as any CC may leave you a little wet but that is what wings are for I guess. Good luck on you journey. Im still but hurt over loosing a 1996 26 FS with twin 225 mercs for 12k that needed some tlc even 10 years latter. Just wasn't fast enough on the draw. I was next in line and the other person ahead of me purchased it and relisted it for 30k a week latter. You wont find a bare hull for 30k now.

[erebus]

Just my .02 cents as a boatyard guy on Cape Cod.

The 26 Regulator is WAY better built than the Edgewater. No contest.
I also think they ride better.

And the Regulator Express (one of our customers has one) rides horrible.
The weight distribution is all wrong. Wallows, and feels unstable (probably why they only made them for a short time.)

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by erebus

And the Regulator Express (one of our customers has one) rides horrible.
The weight distribution is all wrong. Wallows, and feels unstable (probably why they only made them for a short time.)

Good to know... Ive never been on a Regulator Express but do know there were not many built. Like you mentioned that may be why along with not being as popular as the cc.


I used to know a guy that did work for regulator years ago before passing and he told me the fit and finish fell off some in the 2000s. But after talking to a few people who have toured the shop in the last in the last few years they have said regulator has been putting more efforts into that these days and the boats have been updated well. Im sure its like any boat builder, there are good years and better years to own but most people that buy the 26 seem to like them and keep them or upgrade after a few years to 32s.

[NoBones]

This is real easy....
Find a 27 SeaCraft...
They are out there !!

[Old'sCool]

Add 3' and look at the 29' Blackfin Combi

[abl1111]

Thx guys. 26’ Regulator has always been a dream boat for me.. never wanted twin engines ( 2x maintenance etc ). And, a decent used one is $70-80k. Many friends have them but they were into the 80 mile run to get to the Tuna grounds - that’s died off a lot. Now they use em to just get around. The express has a cruddy cabin layout and although it’s a regulator and less $ - never did it for me. Good to know about the poor ride.

Looking for a boat I’ll keep for the next 15 years or so. By then, I’ll be in a much different phase of life... I’ve had great boats my whole life - from my 1st 1960’s, 17’ Montauk as a kid to my current SC (which is by far the best riding boat I’ve owned )...

[Blackfin26]

As others have said, it's going to be hard to replace the SC. I know McKee Craft made a 24' deep V cuddy in the mid/late 2000's but I've only seen one for sale years ago. Contender made a few 25' express boats with a bracket and you could always convert or find a 25 Blackfin express with a bracket? And I've always thought the Contender 31' fish around would be a great upgrade in ride from the 23 SC and then a 26' Regulator.
Those 27' Blackfin fisharounds with outboards look amazing and have a great reputation if you can find one. Will you be trailering or slipping?

[NoBones]

When you have space your friends figure out a way to sneak in !
2017 34 Regulator on the hard in front of my shop at 442 ...





If that is not bad enough, my buddy has his 23 Contender getting a paint job and wrap inside my shop..



Sooner or later my Seafari will be back in getting wrapped up..

[FLexpat]

27 SeaCraft is what I'd look for first but what about putting a bracket on a 25 or 26 Bertram? It would be a project but you could get exactly what you want.