1974 23 Sea Craft...Potter? Talk me into it.

carolina · #1 07-20-2009, 11:02 AM

I am a long time lurker. I have pretty much inked a deal on a 1974 Sea Craft 23 CC. The boat looks OK, trailer is new, engines are crap....boat was redone in the early 90's with new ttop, lean post, and transom. Would $6k be a good deal here?

Also what entails a Potter hull...no wood?

Old'sCool · #2 07-20-2009, 11:38 AM

"Potter" basically indicates the years of production under his control. Lots of good reading here....

Fr. Frank · #3 07-20-2009, 01:08 PM

Sounds like a fairly good deal, but not a miracle for which to give a special miracle thank-offering in church.

bridgeman · #4 07-20-2009, 05:21 PM

Obviously you've made up your mind, I bought an 81 last fall and worked on it over the winter and spring months. I've seen many seacrafts on this site that are outstanding however I did the work and set up the boat to suit my needs. This past weekend I finally got to fish the boat on big water (lake erie) it was blowing 20 knots out of the northwest all weekend and after calling it on Saturday because it looked too rough I decided to go out on Sunday even though the lake was still rollin pretty good 3-5's with a few 6 footers every now and then. I was very impressed with the overall performance of the hull going out straight into it and trolling for 4 hours in a following sea, then running back 19 miles taking the seas at an angle to my starboard side. I had the marine band cranked up and others where barely moving along figuring to get back to the ramp in 2 hours while I had the merc's purring along at 4000 rpm's making 29 knots. Yes my right shirt sleeve was a little wet from the wind blown spray but to say that the ride was impressive is an understatement. You'll not be disappointed especially if you've owned smaller boats as I have.

castalot · #5 07-20-2009, 06:38 PM

if you have any pics post them it sounds good it comes down to what it's worth to you they are great boats after all

BigLew · #6 07-20-2009, 11:30 PM

Potter basically ran the company with that "Lovin Feelin," thus things were done right most,if not all of the time- transoms being an exception, as is so often the case- too many through holes. Later boats started getting needlssly heavier, but they are great boats too, just not quite as quick but possibly having an edge in the heavy water with their weight.

You've got to ask yourself: Am I going to buy a boat and will this one do what I want it to do- size, rigging, configuration, etc. If the answers are yes, then 6 grand is not a bad price- unless your name is Chuck Strickand or you have the time to wait a year or two. Acouple of years ago you'd been looking at 7-8 grand for the boat!!

Sorry Strick, you're not going to get away that easy!!!!