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Random Quote: Dumb man+ Cheap Boat Dealer= "I bought a submarine?"
I'm planning on purchase a well maintained 20' SuperFisherman 1987 (you can find it on classicseacraft) and i would like to through it out to ya'll to see what type of feedback you may have regarding the ride, construction, manufature (1987 was not a Potter Built boat I believe) What should I look out for, pro's and con's etc... with this boat. It seems to be very well maintianed with no rot, stress cracks, soft spots etc... SHe also comes with a 1997 YAHAMA 150 2-Stroke Engine: S150TXRV.
Should be a great boat but would appreciate any feedback.
I had a 1984 (pre-tracker) and it was a nice ride but a wet one that is for sure. Over all I liked the boat and actually wish i still had it, it had a 200hp Merc and would top out about 46mph. I was told from 1986 till I think 1989 was some years to really watch them due to tracker taking over and QC went out the window. Sounds like you may have found a good one though, might be worth a survey for a few hundred bucks.
I've heard many times that the CSC are pretty wet but how wet can they really be? The low gunnel in the transom (which is sweet) may allow extra spray over but is it much more than that? How is the ride and wetness if you try to stay ontop of the 2-3 footers?
I had a 1971 20' for two years. She was a great bay boat but not meant to leave the inlet. She was without question the wettest boat I've ever been on. These boats don't throw spray at your face, they throw buckets of green water at your chest. One direct hit and your soaked the first time. I bet spray rails would fix the problem. Mine pushed along fine with a 115hp 2 stroke.
"Buckets of green water at your chest" that's too funny but would be very sobering in fall. Do you think it's much different than a Jones Brother 1910LT , Mckee, Parker, Mako and Sailfish in the same lenght and layout?
I need to stay small and light so i can make trailer runs.... but i also need to fish in big water, NE - Block Island, Mountauk, LI sound etc...
Also, watersking and wakeboarding come 2nd to fishing!
The Jones Brother is a popular boat up here. I have not run one myself but would strongly consider buying one if I were looking. If you really like the Seacraft take it for a ride and judge for yourself. My boat was 16 years older than the one your looking at. I had a 1989 18 Outrage that was a really great boat. It was soft and dry for its size and had about the same amount of space as a 20 Seacraft. The Mckees and Parkers also look nice.
"Buckets of green water at your chest" that's too funny but would be very sobering in fall. Do you think it's much different than a Jones Brother 1910LT , Mckee, Parker, Mako and Sailfish in the same lenght and layout?
I need to stay small and light so i can make trailer runs.... but i also need to fish in big water, NE - Block Island, Mountauk, LI sound etc...
Also, watersking and wakeboarding come 2nd to fishing!
Only the Sailfish will give you a comparable ride due to a similar variable deadrise hull, and it will be way ahead of the others.
As far as wet ride, any open 20' boat in a quartering chop will be wet, moreso if the driver is inexperienced. The difference is that the Seacraft will not pound out your fillings where many others will.
Buckets of green water? Funny, but totally opposite my experience of 5 yrs with my boat. I take a 1979 20' Seacraft out to the Block Island's North Rip and out to the SE ledge, Cuttyhunk, Martha's Vineyard, Stellwagen Bank, Race Point. I rarely fish in the Bay.
I did a lot of research and tests before settling on the VDR hull of a Seacraft. Then I chose a 1979 because the inside was configured the way I wanted. I haven't been disappointed.
That boat was underpowered, they need 150 HP+, yep they will throw spray up into the wind on a quartering sea and maybe some on following, but get it turned into the sea and let it rip, the varible deadrise hull has more deadrise the faster you go, spray rails would help that but are ugly. If you slog through it throws alot, it wants to be run a little faster to get up on the bigger deadrise. I was just out in 20+ a couple weeks ago and got wet going slow with the GF and dog on a beam sea, got it up and it was much better. It is a high performance high deadrise racing hull that Carl made user friendly by flattening out the deadrise so it didn't throw you out drifting or trolling. Hope this helps
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The Boaters Mortgage guy
1976 SeaCraft 20 Master Angler/200 Merc XRi
No problem here either with the buckets of water, but then again I have 200+ hp on the back of my 20. Previous owner of my boat regularly fished at guide seamount which is 70 mile run outside the gate.
ES,
I have a 130 Honda "anvil" on my transom and have no problems with rough water, so I don't think you need a 150+ hp.
You're 100% right about giving enough throttle to get on top. I find that in a close chop, the sweet spot speed for my boat is faster than that of hulls a bit bigger. That's assuming that the folks I pass are also going at the most comfortable speed for the conditions.
I've also found that trim tabs are a big help in getting a comfortable ride in the slop.
Seacraft 20' SF 1987 - - Need Advice
I take a 1979 20' Seacraft out to the Block Island's North Rip and out to the SE ledge, Cuttyhunk, Martha's Vineyard, Stellwagen Bank, Race Point. I rarely fish in the Bay.
