Project

[ScottM]

maek,
For $600, sounds like it is worth the money. "Is it worth the trouble and work" - the way I see it, you really have to want to do the work to make it worthwhile. It has to be a labor of love. You can't look at a total refurb as an investment necessarily, since your expenses will outweigh the resale value once you're done. Hopefully the experts (Fellow-ship, Trayder, EBEACH, That70sboat) can give you some cost estimates as I have never done a refurb before. Just my $0.02.

[marsh island]

Thanks Scott... I may not be looking at a total refurb because I could not get into the boat without a chain saw. I am trying to get an idea in worse case scenario... I also saw a hole on the right side of the V close to the bottom that looked like it was made that way... What is this hole... Also I cannot do the work myself I would have to hire someone to help me. I am a Seacraft fan and want one, but maybe not this bad.

[ScottM]

Need a little more info about the hole you speak of. Is it on the bottom of the hull or on the transom? If you're going to hire someone to refurb what sounds like a boat in pretty rough shape, you're going to pay substantially more than if you did it yourself - labor costs.

[marsh island]

Scott, the hole is on the front bottom the owner told me that you put a plug in it [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] I went on further in the website and noticed some threads about a refurb $$$$$$ major money.I may just keep looking. I want a sceptre 23 I/O and also want to close the transom hole and bracket it. I thought I would try a 20 out first for just $600.00......

[TUGBOAT]

Lotta work But IF you ever finish "THE JOY of showing Her off is worth the Time" ! $, well that also shows ! I did almost a complete restore on My Ma(CC) which is easier than other models. I started out with a good hull,replaced transom paint all hardware & I put $$$$$$$$$$$$$$,895.43 into Her (Coded in case the Wife reads this)!Just make a run to Floyds in ville platte get some good Zydeco ,lil Gumbo ,You've got all Winter !Of course You can find pretty decent ones for less ,than You could & will put into this one. I would do it all over again ! well maybe once!
Scream'n Reels' [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[Dave Hirshberg]

Maek,
If you really want a 23 then buy a 23 not a 20. The refurb won't be any harder on the bigger boat and you can find 23's in the 80's vintage with full transoms and brackets. You'll end up with less custom work to do(ie filling floor, and plugging transom . I saw one here in fort myers a couple months ago, I put it on the for sale thread. As for cost, I'll have close to $5000 in my hull including the price of the boat ($1200--I paid too much) without a motor when I'm done. I did all work myself. Thats the boat, Paint Fiberglass,rub rail, fuel tank, guages, steering(donated by Ebeach-- Thank You!) seats, pumps batterys and wiring. The only thing I'm keeping is the windsheild. Hope this helps.
The name of the place that had the 23 SCEPTRE Was Marina Mikes in Estero FL.

[EBEACH]

Maek,

The price for a used boat will depend on your location. 600.00 isn't so bad if it includes the trailer. If its a total wreck, it might be better to pass this one and keep looking. A 23 sceptre I/O just sold on ebay for $1,500. I was going to bid on it but I knew my wife would kill me.

Not sure how much I put into my 20 sceptre, but in was in the thousands without the motor. I never touched my deck, and that would have been a lot more work and money. It was solid, so why bother.

The hole in the bow is for the fish box that is located between the consoles. Yes, just put a plug in it.

[marsh island]

I have hit this web site many times in the last year reading about everyones situation and I really think I am at the right place.I ran across a boat yesterday that I need some advice on. I fell into a 1975 sceptre 20 I/O in very neglected condition with a nice roll on galv trailer single axle. Forget the motor.....The boat may need total refurbishing. Asking 600.00 Is this worth the trouble and work and how much money am I looking at

[marsh island]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I speak to people about vintage seacraft boats around here and they look at me like I am crazy but I don't care. They are too caught up with Grady, Gravois Aluminum, and Regulator. The price for these boats used or new is outrageous. I would caompare the refurbs on this website to any one of these boats thats just my take. There is a guy in Fla. I know of that has a 1977 23 sceptre in immaculate condition with I/O with mercruiser that will sell for 5000.00. Original bottom paint with two bimini tops front and rear. I have been agonizing over this boat for the past 3 months. I will make a decision on this boat soon and if I don't want it I will turn it over to you guys. Maybe you have seen this boat it was for sale months ago but no longer, anyway the owner has moved and boat is not listed anywhere How much would a transom job cost on this boat with a Hermco or Armstrong bracket. I think they look like the King with that Crown Transom.

[Briguy]

Buy it, clean it up a little then sell it on ebay. Don't put a ton of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ into a project if what you really want is a 23.