History of Seacraft builders

[cdavisdb]

Something I'm curious about, where there some years when Tracker built much worse boats than other years? On a couple of occasions, I've seen "SeaCraft" logos on hulls that looked like Seacraft hulls, but the build quality, even to a quick and casual inspection, was just awful, down right embarrassing. I'd be scared to go offshore in such a thing. Other pics I've seen of Trackers at least looked pretty good and I'm sure I've seen a bunch of Trackers in the flesh that looked just fine. Why the huge difference?

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by cdavisdb

Something I'm curious about, where there some years when Tracker built much worse boats than other years? On a couple of occasions, I've seen "SeaCraft" logos on hulls that looked like Seacraft hulls, but the build quality, even to a quick and casual inspection, was just awful, down right embarrassing. I'd be scared to go offshore in such a thing. Other pics I've seen of Trackers at least looked pretty good and I'm sure I've seen a bunch of Trackers in the flesh that looked just fine. Why the huge difference?

I have seen the same things. All of the early slackers I`ve seen have been good in the glass work, not the rigging. I saw some at shows in the early- mid 2000s that had livewells that didn`t meet the bottom of the deck. I don`t have any real timeline for later years.

If any owners would like to add to the conversation, please do. I know many of you have asked questions here before and gotten little response. We just don`t know much about them, and as a group we don`t like to blow smoke up anyones skirt. Many of us are curious, and would like nothing more than to see the brand come back proudly.

I think a lot of issues start with the care and happiness of the builders. Skilled caring glass folks build a better product. They also didn`t have someone like Carl drilling holes in new hulls and checking his babies.

When Rybovich was bought by huizenga, he hired a PR schill to inform most of their skilled workers to check a sheet by the office . No name , no job. He really wants to create a world class marina with minimun wage workers...

Cheers,
GFS

[gss036]

I guess I don't understand where you guys are coming from or going. I have a 1989 SeaCraft 23WA with a big TRACKER logo on it. It was built in Tampa Fl by Tracker Marine. I bought the boat new and have been very happy with it, nothing wrong with the glass lay up or fit and finish. I had to replace my 115 gallon fuel tank about 3 years ago(maybe even 4 yr). It was big project getting that big tank out of the hull, had to cut it in two pieces cause I was not going to try and remove my 225 Honda. I found everything in good condition inside the hull.

[Blue_Heron]

Originally Posted by cdavisdb

...I've seen "SeaCraft" logos on hulls that looked like Seacraft hulls, but the build quality, even to a quick and casual inspection, was just awful, down right embarrassing. I'd be scared to go offshore in such a thing...

A lot of Seacraft hulls have undergone restoration. Not all restorations are of equal quality to the original build. Could it be that the lower quality hulls out there are just poor quality restoration work? I can't say that I've seen an original Seacraft hull that varied significantly in quality from my Seacraft Industries 20 or my Potter 25.

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by gss036

I guess I don't understand where you guys are coming from or going. I have a 1989 SeaCraft 23WA with a big TRACKER logo on it. It was built in Tampa Fl by Tracker Marine. I bought the boat new and have been very happy with it, nothing wrong with the glass lay up or fit and finish. I had to replace my 115 gallon fuel tank about 3 years ago(maybe even 4 yr). It was big project getting that big tank out of the hull, had to cut it in two pieces cause I was not going to try and remove my 225 Honda. I found everything in good condition inside the hull.

My boat is an 89. Layup is fine.

[TUGBOAT]

Hey Uze Guys..... Better stick with Y'all.... What a bout the Master Angler. Lifted the Gunnels (Better Knee Action OffShore, Wider Walking Decks around.... Plenty of Meat too! ( I know cuz I cut through it) Man I wish I would have Grabbed everything out of the Princeton Shop. Pieces, Parts, brochures, Man0Man.......Sockpiles. Carlos too! Had one of the original Glassers help me on my rebuild.... And Same Windshield......

"Master Angler"

How Y'all Been?! (Ol' Salts')

PS; Does SpiderCrab have the Green Gucci?

[Fr. Frank]

Some of the 1987 18' & 20' hulls with "Tracker" decals, sold by Bass Pro or by stand-alone Tracker Boats dealers were actually built by SeaCraft Industries and purchased unsold by Tracker SeaCraft of Fla.

My 18' CC SeaCraft was actually built in late 1986, and while it had a giant TRACKER decal on the side, it was built by SeaCraft Industries.


An odd note: All the info I can look up on my boat indicates the factory max recommended OB horsepower should have been 150 hp. My decal says max recommended hp is 200 hp.

I bought the boat with the original 1987 Mariner 115 on the back. After seeing the max HP decal, well, I just had to re-power.... to a 90 hp Etec.