23 Seacraft Questions

Gaffer · #1 05-07-2020, 02:44 PM

New member here. I’m currently owner of a ‘96 Mako 232 (bracketed hull)
I have an opportunity to purchase an 83 Seacraft 23 at a fair price. Going to look at it on Tuesday. I will be doing most of my boating /Fishing in the Northeast

According to owner he replaced transom and deck and redid the stringers. I’m hoping that he documented the rebuild with pictures etc. Any areas on boat I should pay special attention to when going over the boat? Scuppers, through valves etc. If I decide to buy the boat I will most likely get a survey done more so I know what I need to fix right away that I might have missed. This would be my 6th boat purchase so I’m confident enough to know what to look for and done this enough times to know the survey is money well spent.

I realize this is not a potter built hull, however from what I have read an 83 seems to still be a decent year. Am I wrong on that statement? The boat is 37 years old and it all comes down to how well the restoration was done.

Any tips and things to really watch out for would be most appreciated. I learned a lot on Classic Mako before buying my 232 as well as after the purchase when I needed to fix things and doing a re-power. I’ve read quite a bit of posts on this website as well as over on The Hull Truth about the Seacraft 23 and am very excited about the possibility of buying the boat

gofastsandman · #2 05-07-2020, 07:30 PM

Made by SC industries in Sarasota. No worries there.

Where is the boat? Maybe someone could recommend a good surveyor local to you or the boat.

Normally the stringers are fine so there is some concern there.

Beaver · #3 05-10-2020, 10:54 AM

A friend of mine has a 1987 23 and I don’t think there’s a stress crack on it. I’ve been super impressed with it.

I’d ask about the fuel tank. Seems a little unusual to do the deck and not the tank.

Gaffer · #4 05-30-2020, 04:56 PM

So the boat I was interested was sold before I had a chance to look at it. I was able to buy a Potter Built 23 Seacraft that had been redone with a new tank in mid 2000s. Seller provided me with pictures of all the work the yard did and it was an excellent restoration. Took it home today and am blown away by how well the Hull rides. Sold my Mako to my cousin so it was a seamless transition to move to the Seacraft.

Thanks to all who gave me advice