Seacraft, Parker or Jones Bros?

[whatalook]

I am in the market for a 21 CC fishing boat. Have fished on Parker 21SE & Jones 1910 LT. Mostly fish near shore and don't intentionally go out in 4 to 6 like some claim. How would you compare the 20/21 Seacraft to these boats? Also is there any reason not to buy a new Seacraft. (I'm not sentimental, just want a solid, safe fishing machine) Thanks for any help and info.

[BARNABY55]

go up 2 ft, buy a restored Potter Seacraft and enjoy!!! The Difference in the ride is night and day. Check out some of the 23 Seacrafts for sale on here.

[Ikan Besar]

From riding in all the ones you mention,I think the closest two on your list would be the SeaCraft 21 and the Parker 21SE. Both have a deeper V than the standard Jones Brothers modified V and therefore a more pleasant ride - then again, if you want to get into some skinny water, the 1910LT is a better option than either of these.

Probably best to spend an hour on each at the dealer and see which one you prefer riding on.

[Scott]

Not to stir the pot or get anyone upset .... but these are almost two different classes of boat

Parker 21 SE and Jones 1910 are really geared more for bays and rivers with the modified V's (both 14 degree) for the shallows and setup for fly fishing. As I’m sure you’re aware the Parker SE has a really low gunwale height aft of the console .... several inches below my knees. Just didn’t seem big enough for the ocean to me …… but what do I know … I’ve seen a 12 foot row boats with 10 hp fluke fishing 10 miles down the coast from the inlet and 17’ BW Montauk’s fishing for giants out 25 miles!! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

The 21 Seacraft has a deeper V and higher gunwales and freeboard (two things, amongst others, I personally want when I’m in the ocean and thing start to get nasty)

I've been out in the 21 & 23 SE's several times and they are nice boats but I wasnt overly impressed with them for what I needed and wanted... Especially the 21SE...I felt like I was riding "on" it instead of "in" it. It also pounded more than I needed. I wanted something that could get me back home “no questions asked” when the ocean kicked up.

Just my personal thoughts and experiences [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[whatalook]

Scott: Thanks for the reply. Would you prefer the older Seacraft over the new ones being made in NC? I ask because you hear all this really bad stuff about how Mako and Seacraft are not what they used to be.

[Scott]

Your welcome .....and on another note Welcome to the site !!!!

Thats a loaded question (new vs old) as I have a 76 23 Center console. Yes I have heard the quality concerns but when you think about it I'm sure back in the day there were boats that had their share of " problems”. My feelings and personal opinions are that I feel a factor that may lead to a decline in quality today is a consequence of mass production and rushing processes that shouldnt be rushed (improper lay-ups, shortened cure times etc). I’m inclined to think the "smaller" builders tend to put a little more TLC into it building it right the first time. Again I may be way off base ...but its just food for thought as I don’t think that was the case years ago. I do know that several builders , if asked, will take you through the floor while boats are being built.

I have only been in the new ones on land .... and not really seen too many late models to assess wear and tear. The hull shape is the same ... some of the materials are different (better resins, Bi and Triaxial cloths, and Nida and Divinacell?? foam coring). As far as “old” goes …. the problem you would have is there is no "classic" 21. That was recently brought into the lineup so you would need to look for a 20.

This is really funny as this is the same process I went through prior to getting the 23. I was NOT happy with the 20-21 foot boats out there, looked at a 21 and almost fell over when I heard the list price( I must have been right in thinking he, the dealer, was high as he is no more!!)...then went on the hunt for the 23.

But who knows as I recently played around on the new 24 Regulator and I'm still in awe as the boat listed in the high 70's with a single 250 HPDI (Its a 22-23' boat with a euro transom and it needs more power than that!!) Again nice boat ...but a tad too much for what your getting IMHO
Hope this helps

Scott

[BARNABY55]

Literrally Weigh the Difference. The older Seacrafts have far more Glass in them. I just think the older hulls are better. Ride both. See the difference

[Ed]

Definitely consider a Mako 21 or Mako 231 made prior to 1992. 19 degrees of deadrise will serve you right in all but the worst of the worst conditions. Plus, there are plenty of them out there and considering this el crappo economy, you shouldn't have trouble finding one in good shape with newer power at a decent price. Believe me...I know..I have owned two Makos...both 1991's (hint, hint).

[Scott]

Well.........

Ted .... actually the new ones (speaking 23 foot cc) is about 400 lbs more than its older sibling. Seems strange and I dont know how she beefed up(with newer, lighter core material) but thats what the spec sheets say....New 23 is 3050 or 3070lbs vs 2650lbs
specs for a 1978 hull???

The lamination schedule that Trayder posted shows how robust the hulls were. They came very close to the same lay up as a 33 Bertram for the hull (in the lay up schedule Bertram went the route of an extra layer of woven as opposed to a layer of mat.... and topside the laminate was the same ..... Pretty impressive company!!

[BARNABY55]

Scott,
That seems strange...Oh Well As fpr the Mako's..Duhhh..My other boat is a 21 Mako...Ed is right. If you are sticking to a 21...Go get a pre 91 Mako.Thats another great ride There is one in Tampa thats all there, needs good cleaning. He is asking 8500.00 turn key. I KNOW it takes 7500.00 to buy it. Good Luck