Newer 21 or restore old 20

[Joe R]

Hi Guys...I have owned my 20 Potter 1970 for 30 years now...no major restore, Transom still original , ....in the next year or so I would like to repower ....Always liked the look of the newer 21, 2000 2001 years, it is a little longer and higher freeboard, NOW if I repower my 20 I would do the transom ,and if I invest 12gs in a new E teck , and at least another 4 for transom, some paint rewiring etc ,and that's doing the work myself.. I know how to work with resin and wood, but I am 63 yo and don't want to do the labor, and cant spend big bucks on a pro to restore....I LOVE MY RIDE the older 20 its fun to run ,like a sports car, QUESTION, how does the 21 feel, is it as responsive to the helm as the 20,, what do you guys think , I don't like the older Master Anglers look or lay out, and don't want a 23... So sell mine for like 5 gs in good condition and ,,IF I CAN FIND a 21 with a 2-3 yo OB in the 20-25 grand range...The 21 would be a little better for me now that I am older, I fish the back bays and out to the reefs 15 mi offshore...

Joe R.
20ft Classic SeaCraft
Susie II

[DonV]

I hate to say this, however a friend of mine just sold his newer model 21' SeaCraft to upgrade to a much larger boat. It was perfect, like 120 hours on the engine. Rats, too late. Sorry

[bj]

I had 23 Sceptre from 1977 to about 1990. Had a 20 CC in the 1990's for 6 years or so. I now have a 2003 21' that I've had since new. The 21 rides and handles much lIke the 23. It is quite a bit more boat than the 20 in my opinion. I love my boat now as it serves my needs perfectly, fishing out to 35-40 miles off NC. Having said that I had the 20 in some awful conditions and it always got me home. If you are going to fish inshore and only occasionally go offshore on good weather days the 20 would work fine. If most of the time you lIke to fish 10 miles and further like me the 21 would be a better choice. It rides better, is drier in my opinion, and has more room.

[Joe R]

Originally Posted by bj

I had 23 Sceptre from 1977 to about 1990. Had a 20 CC in the 1990's for 6 years or so. I now have a 2003 21' that I've had since new. The 21 rides and handles much lIke the 23. It is quite a bit more boat than the 20 in my opinion. I love my boat now as it serves my needs perfectly, fishing out to 35-40 miles off NC. Having said that I had the 20 in some awful conditions and it always got me home. If you are going to fish inshore and only occasionally go offshore on good weather days the 20 would work fine. If most of the time you lIke to fish 10 miles and further like me the 21 would be a better choice. It rides better, is drier in my opinion, and has more room.

I am leaning that way, and since I fish alone alot, back bay and off the beach , I am getting older and like the higher freeboard of the 21, I did a lot of trolling offshore to 25 miles in my 20 Potter when my motor was newer and want to get back into trolling ,The 21s in those years seem hard to find

Joe R.
20ft Classic SeaCraft
Susie II

[HatTrick]

I have an 86 20/21. I think it is kind of a hybrid of the old and the new designs. It has the lower freeboard like the 70s models, but it has the stern design and the extra foot (20'6" vs 19'6") like the newer 21s. BTW I think the newer transom design with the compartments that go to the top of the gunnels helps to strengthen the transom. I would guess my boat handles more like a 70s 20 than a 2001 21, but it is perfect for the waters I fish in shallow estuaries and around the Elisabeth Islands in MA. One thing I like about the lower freeboard is that it is easy to get down to water level to release fish. That being said, I imagine the bigger feel is nice in snotty conditions.

[FishStretcher]

Originally Posted by HatTrick

I have an 86 20/21. I think it is kind of a hybrid of the old and the new designs. It has the lower freeboard like the 70s models, but it has the stern design and the extra foot (20'6" vs 19'6") like the newer 21s. BTW I think the newer transom design with the compartments that go to the top of the gunnels helps to strengthen the transom. I would guess my boat handles more like a 70s 20 than a 2001 21, but it is perfect for the waters I fish in shallow estuaries and around the Elisabeth Islands in MA. One thing I like about the lower freeboard is that it is easy to get down to water level to release fish. That being said, I imagine the bigger feel is nice in snotty conditions.

I think I have seen your boat in the river. I fish the same area in a 1975 Master Angler. The look isn't as sexy as a SF, but the additional freeboard is nice. I spend more time out of the mouth and island hopping or trolling in the surf, so freeboard is nice.

We use an aluminum skiff inside the river.

With respect to the original question- a master angler with a small console might be nice, if you can get past the 1977 vintage "sea patrol" styling. I hate to say it but I think I saw 3 hulls in the 18-23 foot length with seacraft VDH style shapes at the boat ramp yesterday. So if you couldn't find a "just right" seacraft, maybe a small sailfish, like a 208?

[Joe R]

Originally Posted by FishStretcher

I think I have seen your boat in the river. I fish the same area in a 1975 Master Angler. The look isn't as sexy as a SF, but the additional freeboard is nice. I spend more time out of the mouth and island hopping or trolling in the surf, so freeboard is nice.

We use an aluminum skiff inside the river.

With respect to the original question- a master angler with a small console might be nice, if you can get past the 1977 vintage "sea patrol" styling. I hate to say it but I think I saw 3 hulls in the 18-23 foot length with seacraft VDH style shapes at the boat ramp yesterday. So if you couldn't find a "just right" seacraft, maybe a small sailfish, like a 208?

yea I don't like the cap on the older MA, the lines on a 20 Potter without any bow rails (took my old low rail off) look sleek, Love the newer years 21s with a T top like the ones in the SeaCraft Ads ...Have had my current 20 now for 30 years , so would like to stay in the family. The next best in line would be a Sailfish..or a 21 Reg (no longer made)....OR I will bite the bullet and repower and do some work....

Joe R.
20ft Classic SeaCraft
Susie II

[FishStretcher]

The advantage of refurbing a boat is knowing what you have. The downside is the effort and money. Good luck!

[HatTrick]

Finstretcher. This is my boat, i have the curved casting rail in the bow. Hope to see you out there.

[PeterM]

Hat trick - is that a push pole on that boat?