Let's really talk SeaCraft ride characteristics !!

[pelican]

Tell me about the reality - do the older SeaCraft 23' CC's, Septre's, etc really ride much better than other " typical boats" in the same size ?

Do these hulls pound, or tend to list / flop over onto one side of the V and require constant trim tab adjustment ? Are they " bad" or good in a beam or following sea?

What's the real deal. I'm a salt water man, with lots of conditions in the 2' - 5' chop range and have had a few boats, just not a SeaCraft. If you're experienced, tell me about it.
Appreciated.

i run a 23 center console - you know that - i believe the ride on a center console is better than a sceptre - due to position of the helm.the ride on my rig,is wet at times - what center console isn't ? it handles much better than the 250 mako i had,and it honestly runs better than my old 31 bertram.
the boat doen't have a pounding ride,like a flat bottom rig,like a grady - it alo doen't list like a heavy deep v hull,like a contender.the boat runs well in a head sea - set the tabs and you're off.i gotta stern drive set up - it's quiet,and incredibly fuel efficient - engine box isn't a factor - center conoles are built to fight a big fish outta the bow area - "crowded" stern area isn't a factor.the swim platform holds a "kill bag",for the ride home - or,use the fwd fish box.it's a very well layed out,fishable rig - it rides like a much bigger boat.we've ran it from the poormans to the lindenkohl canyons,and every where in between - including winter sea bass fishing - 64-67nm off the beach.i normally fish a 2 man crew,sometimes 3,never felt crowded,with 3.drop a bean bag down on the deck and you're all set.
it's a little sensitive to trim tabs,but,once you've gotten experienced with running it,you'll be impressed...

not launching my rig this season - i would invite you down for a ride.it's headed inside the shop for a new deck,and a pilot house - the deck is original,and it's got a couple soft spots in it...gonna fabricate spray rails and laminate them to the hull too - i've added these to a few blackfin's,with great results...

no such thing as "the perfect boat",they're all a compromise,but,i can honestly say,this rig is perfect for me - dirt cheap to run and a nice solid ride - very "seaworthy" rig - and trust me,i've ran them all,only rig is this size class i believe is a better ride,would be a 23 regulator...

[Basspond]

only rig is this size class i believe is a better ride,would be a 23 regulator...

And I won't say what I just replaced my 20 SeaCraft with

[george90]

i had a 20ft seafari for my first boat when i was 20 and i took it out in almost any seas i would just froor it and it what cut the waves seacraft are the best riding hull i cant wait to finish my 23 savage to sea how it rides. [image]http://[/image] [image]http://[/image]

[Fr. Frank]

I was out in the Gulf off Destin on Saturday. Seas 2-4' with an occasional 6 footer, wave period very short at 3 seconds, very choppy water. Coming back with a port-side quartering sea and 15-20 mph breeze, I tucked the motor down, and continued on plane at 17-18 mph, cutting into the waves with a nice ride, no pounding whatsoever. I did, however, have veritable buckets of water thrown in my face as the wind pick up the spray and blew it over the windshield. it was great. My wife was able to remain seated throughout, without having to hold on for dear life.

Coming back in, boat off to my right, inshore of me, was a 22-23' SeaFox, and he could not maintain plane without audibly slamming from wave to wave, and after trying to keep up for a while, eventually slowed to hull speed.

Three boats off to my left, one a newer Cobia 20' WA, one an older 25' Whaler Outrage, and the other a '69-70 SeaCraft 20' SF (FL Registration ended in AF, which indicates, I think, 1968-1970 initial registration).

The Cobia was airborne off every wave and really landing hard at what I guess was 20-22 mph.

The Whaler was going a little faster, maybe 25, also spent a lot of time in the air, and made a loud booming sound every time he landed. You could see the shock being transmitted to his outriggers, rods, and passengers, who were hanging on to the half-tower with both hands.

The 20' SeaCraft SF was largely cutting through the waves, traveling at the same speed as the Whaler, throwing tremendous bow waves and spray, but obviously a much easier, smoother ride. As I knew my boat was behaving much the same, although at a slower speed, it made me grin from ear to ear.

The downside was 3 hours of downrigger and surface trolling and only catching a 42 inch, 8-10 lb remora

[thedog]

I have a 23 cc with twins and will say that I have been boating since the early 70's, have rode in a lot of different boats. the 23 seacraft is a very nice riding boat. at 30knts in a two to three ft tight chop the boat really shines, gets up on top in a headsea and rides great.

anything bigger I will bring it down to 18-22 knts with a little tab and the boat glides over bigger waves (like a large swell) or a bigger chop long period and rides very comfortably. I am very impressed with the ride of this hull.

I ran a 31 bertram for quite a few years and imo this little 23 rides better in the same conditions at the same speeds

I would not expect it to run anywhere in an honest 4 ft or + headsea, would have to idle in or head for a different port at a different angle. a following or beam sea it would not be a problem.
that said, I do not know any hull less than a 38 ft + downeast hull that can run into a 4-6 ft head sea and be comfortable.
have been on some miserable trips home on some very nice 40 + ft sportfishers that were supposed to be great riding

so I feel that this hull will compare to anything under 35 ft in ride and fishability. will go to the same places and at the end of the day you will be no more beat up than the next guy

if you are anywhere near central NJ let me know and we can go for a ride

[bj]

I think it's been mentioned a couple of times above about running into a quartering sea and the hull falling off a wave and slamming hard when it lands on the flat side so to speak. I presently have a 2003 21' Seacraft with tabs and obviously you can eliminate this problem mostly by using them. I had a 1977 23' Sceptre that had no tabs and would do the same thing. You can eliminate the problem most of the time by steering back the opposite way when you fall off the wave when running. This allows the hull to land on the Vee and not the flat side. This is something you have to get a feel for but it does work. At least for me. Most of you probably already know how to help the ride but maybe this will help the less experienced. It works the same as crossing a wake from another boat. Just turn so the Vee lands centered and it's so much softer. In fact about the only time you can make a Seacraft of any size pound is to let it fall off on it's side.

[ct9amr]

I would like to take a ride in a 23 one day to compare it against my Contender. I am in the Tampa Bay area so just PM me if somone is avaliable.
This is more out of curiosity since I planned to get a seacraft but the contender was too good of a deal to pass up.

[trave2]

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