20'cc versus 23'cc

[fishstu]

The SC 20 is by far the softest riding 20 boat that I have been on. (I own a 2001 SC 20MA). I have also fished 60 miles off shore in a SC 23 and felt very safe.
If most of the time you fish very rough rips, 10 miles or more off shore, early and late in the season then the 23 is a better choice. If you are more of an inshore, summer/early fall guy then the 20 will do very well. There is a big difference in fuel use; the 23 will use almost twice as much. A SC 20 rigged with a new 4 stroke or etech around 150 hp is very fuel-efficient.
I would think that the SC 20 would be fine for Barnegat Bay.

[jerryjc]

Does your 2001 20'cc have the same hull as the older models?

I use the boat mostly for tranportation in and around the bay, visiting friends going out to dinner as well as some fishing. I love the lines of these boats and I want something that doesn't look or ride like the rest. Something that will get peoples attention. I like being a little different and so many of these new boats are just plain ugly. All these discussions give me a lot to think about but perhaps the 20'cc will satisfy my needs best.

[fishstu]

Jerry

I believe my 2001 20MA hull is exactly the same as earlier 20 MA except it has a higher 25in transom rather than the 20in transom of older boats. My model is the Lefty Kreg version with a coffin box in front of the console. Perhaps Tracker Marine were more careful with that model?

Below is my post in a thread about old verses new SC in thehulltruth.com

Fit and finish good with quality components (Edson wheel, brass thru hull fittings, flush bow lights - cleats)
A truly great boat - turns heads every where, very good ride (soft), pretty stable at drift, economical to run, can cruise at 33 mph - WOT 47 mph.
Feels and handles the water like a bigger boat.

Seacraft owners like their Boats.

[cSickNick]

There is a big difference in fuel use; the 23 will use almost twice as much. A SC 20 rigged with a new 4 stroke or etech around 150 hp is very fuel-efficient.

Is this really true? I know my 20' rig does well with fuel, but would a 23 use double? [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Just Curious? [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

[Ikan Besar]

You'd have to ask some 23' owners what their burn rate is, but I'm getting an honest 5mpg with the Suzy 140 on my 20' at a cruise speed of 30mph (Floscan reading 6gph at 30mph) ...and that's with a full 75 gallon tank of $3.69/gallon gas

I've seen 23's powered with large thirsty engines burn 3x that much gas at 30pmh. All depends on what engine you have I guess.

Then again, you can handle a much rougher day in a 23'

[peterb]

With my twin 150 HP Yamaha 1998 carb engines I get a great 1.5 miles per gallon. Maybe a little better, but not much better.

[jerryjc]

Thanks for all your replies, they give me plenty to think about before I decide what to buy.
Jerry

[elpez]

One more choice for you, the Seacraft 21 cc, I own a 1998 model and have owned a 1988 Seacraft 20 cc, while the 20 rode great the 21 is a bigger boat in many ways, and with a 200 e-tec the gas usage is not too bad, probably the same as the 20 with a carbed 150 with a lot of hours.

[jerryjc]

Do you know what year they started making the 21'cc.

[ScottM]

Do you know what year they started making the 21'cc.

'97 or '98