'76 SeaCraft Sceptre

Nick Denny · #1 07-09-2002, 04:20 PM

Hoping for some input...just came across a '76 23 ft. SeaCraft Sceptre with twin 145hp Chevy engines. Certainly impressed with the hull viewed on the trailer..the boats has 732 hours on it and the engines have never been touched. Also it has never been in salt water. The boat is in great shape...the teak is bleached out a bit and the red hull is oxidized..but not bad. Any idea what it might be worth and is there anything specific I should be looking for or aware of about this rig? Any help or guidance would be appreciated.

FOR-ROCH · #2 07-09-2002, 08:46 PM

HI : I owned a sceptre for 3 years . Everyone I ever saw had a rotten wooden bulkhead that made up the anchor locker . Also , The bulkhead that creates the sternmost cabin wall on the pilots side is usually rotten as well . Both of these bulkheads (if bad ) can be replaced . I used starboard on mine . If you purchase the boat , could you please post a picture or two of the twin inboard set up . I never saw a twin straight inboard seacraft before . Sounds like a nice rig . I paid $ 3,500.00 for the hull only of my secptre . I then spent $7,000.00 on a used yamaha and another 3K on a 7,000lb. aluminum trailer .I Hope this helps some .

Nick Denny · #3 07-10-2002, 11:03 AM

Hi For-Roch..Thanks for the info..Didn't mean to confuse..this is not an inboard but has twin Mercury IO's. I'm going to go over the boat again and pay particular attention to the areas you have mentioned. Years ago I ran a 235 Slickcraft on Lake Michigan and Jon Emory, creator of Big Jon downriggers, brought his Seacraft to the tournaments. He was the only one who could run through the rough stuff with us so I know what that Seacraft hull can do. Thanks again..

Nick Denny · #4 07-10-2002, 04:09 PM

Thanks for the Welcome!! It's great to see the passion most here share for the sea and their boats. Hopefully this will be more turn-key than a restoration project if I go ahead and buy it. I know it's all original so I figured the gas tank would have to be replaced...and thanks for the mention around the stern drives. Does anyone have any info about those 145hp 4cyl Chevy engines? With the exception of some slight modifications I would like to use the boat as is, if possible.I do know that it has been sitting on a trailer for the past 2 years and has not been in the water. Will that factor make it more difficult to determine rot? And just what is the best way to identify rot if everything seems normal? Just thinking ahead...If I took the engines out and put a Hermco platform on the transom to hang a couple of outboards, is there any specific formula to placing an auxillary gas tank where the engines were? Would the tank best be placed has far midships as possible to compensate for the added weight that would now be off the transom? Maybe I'm getting way ahead of myself...just thoughts that come to mind. By the way...I really like this site...to see those who are passionate about their boats and usage. Thanks again.

PressureDrop · #5 07-10-2002, 07:34 PM

after pulling apart my boat ive learned allot about inspecting boats, and determining the condition of fiberglass cored materials. im one of the unfortunate ones to have a rotted transom, and can give you this info as far as examining it. you will not be able too tell the condition of the core from the outside skin (unless it sounds very hollow upon tapping), it is too thick. get acess to the inside skin and push it hard!, if it gives, you have rot, if not you should be okey. chances are there will be some trouble around the outdrives, however theres not as much torque on the tranny so its not that much of a problem, good luck!

Scott · #6 07-11-2002, 01:39 AM

Novice one Welcome!!

A couple of other things to check on. The transom around the sterndrives is a great place for rot.... I'd look around them for soft spots.

Also your fuel tank, if original, is 26 years old and you may want to replace that.

The teak is cosmetic and will come back real easy. The hull could be wet sanded then compounded to get the gloss back. I did that just because I couldnt stand looking at the faded hull .... even though at some point it will get paint/ Gel coat ....

Yes Trayder I said Gel Coat [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Is this going to be a project boat or is it more or less Turn key???