History of Seacraft builders

Stief47 · #1 10-03-2012, 08:29 AM

I am a new member to classicseacraft and have a question about the different builders of seacrafts. I know that the Potter/Mosely boats began in the 60s. I am interested in when the next builder, I believe Tracker, started and stopped production. Also, other builders came after Tracker and I would be interested in the years that they were in operation to the present time.
I have been considering looking for a used 23cc but have not been able to determine the builder of some years. I remember the tracker seacrafts and from what I saw I was not impressed.
Any info on this would be appreciated.

Islandtrader · #2 10-03-2012, 09:07 AM

One thing to keep in mind that any boat that has been on the water for over 20 years has 2 things going for it....no matter who built it.

First all the bugs and weakness is factored out.

Two if the boat has not had any type of rebuild since its inception, most likely something will need attention.

junior11 · #3 10-03-2012, 10:07 AM

I know less than most... But I went through the same thing. There is a thread on here all about it, but here it goes.

First of all if you told me the year, it could save me some trouble, but.

Pre 1970 (ish) were all Mosely built boats.
from 70-80 were Potter Built (some gray area when exactly potter stopped building)
81-88 is were either tracker or built in the carribean. From what I hear the few that were built in the carribean (CSY serial numbers) are absolute tanks. The ones built by tracker are OK, but not nearly as heavy on the glass.
After that I believe things really tapered off, and I have no idea who built them and don't really pay any attention to post 88 seacrafts.

Hope this helps and everyone corrects me on things I mis stated.

Stief47 · #4 10-03-2012, 04:41 PM

Thanks for the info guys. I owned a 1972 Seafari in the lte 1980's and loved the ride and have always been impressed with the 23cc. I believe after the Tracker boats they came back about 10 years later with another company in the Carolinas. I was under the impression that they were making a very good boat that was not as good as the Potters but still a good boat and much better then the Trackers. Recently they may have gone out of business and I don't know if another company is now making them. I recently saw a nice looking 1999 advertised and am curious if those were good years.
I know that a 23 Potter CC is a great way to go but I don't think I'd be ready for a big project.

Blue_Heron · #5 10-03-2012, 04:41 PM

This question pops up about every 6 months. The Hull ID number will tell you who made it, but there are some hulls that have turned up that don't fit exactly in this time frame.

Moesly...1960-1969(70). (No HIN)
SEC = SeaCraft Inc (Potter 1969 thru 5/80, no HIN prior to '73)
CSY = Carribbean Sailing Yachts (1980-1982 23'& 27' SeaCrafts only)
SIC = SeaCraft Industries Corp (1980 thru 1987 other SeaCraft Models) (Potter on Board of Directors approx 1 year after sale)
TXY = Sarasota Marine Corp ('86-'88 csy Parent Co)
SIC = Tracker SeaCraft of Fla (1987 thru 1990) all models
SXC = Stern Craft Corp (1994 Silver King Parent then Tracker Parent Co in 1995)
MIC = Silver King Boats (1994-2002 Mako Marine Parent Co)
MRK = Mako Marine (2002 Parent Co SeaCraft from Tracker

Stief47 · #6 10-03-2012, 05:00 PM

Thanks Blue Heron. How well made were the Silver King and later Mako boats?

Bushwacker · #7 10-03-2012, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junior11

. . .81-88 is were either tracker or built in the carribean. From what I hear the few that were built in the carribean (CSY serial numbers) are absolute tanks. . .

CSY (Caribbean Sailing Yachts) and I believe SIC boats were built in a new plant in Tampa. They bought the molds from Potter but added some new models with different inner liners.

jon3030 · #8 10-05-2012, 11:41 PM

Blue Heron,

Looking at your SC builders timeline makes me wonder why my 2000 21' serial number begins with SXC? Any idea who owns the molds now?

gofastsandman · #9 10-06-2012, 08:58 AM

There are more than a few molds around. I`ve heard BPS still owns theirs.

Blue_Heron · #10 10-06-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon3030

Blue Heron,
Looking at your SC builders timeline...

Not my timeline. I'm not sure who originally posted it, but whenever the question comes up, one of us old timers finds it and posts it again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon3030

...makes me wonder why my 2000 21' serial number begins with SXC? Any idea who owns the molds now?

I believe Seacraft was owned by Bass Pro Shops by 2000 and they introduced the 21', the 25cc and the 32cc. The term "Classic Seacraft" usually refers to the Moesly and Potter boats.

After Potter, Seacraft industries retooled the mold for the 20' SF and made it 8" longer than the Moesly/Potter 20. The 25 Seafari was discontinued, and I believe the 20 Seafari was too. At least I've never seen a Seacraft Industries or later Seafari. Tracker added a 23' Walk around Cuddy to the lineup and somewhere in there, the Sceptre was discontinued. Anything built after Potter may be of good quality, but doesn't share the same mystique.
Dave