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SUBJECT: # 21299: SeaCraft Sceptre 23'
Submitted by A Long (151.198.194.209) from MARYLAND on 8/20/2001 12:40:00 PM
Need to pick the brains of the SeaCraft guru's... I have heard about the various years to be careful about... Were the hulls still being built by Potter until Morris (BPS) bought them in '88. What is the scoop on the early to mid 80's SeaCraft hulls?
I have found a 1985 Sceptre 23' that was built by the factory for outboards. I believe the earlier Sceptre's I've seen were I/O or converted to outboards. This is being offered just the hull and tandem galv trailer... Any idea on price range? I know this is subjective to condition, etc; just wondering about a rough "guesstimate" in price range.
- 8/20/2001 4:37:00 PM
Submitted by
Dunk from NEW JERSEY says Seacraft's
Potter's were last built in 1979 and I don't think BPS put to many of them on the market in 80-81. This thing about how the potter's were better than the BPS seacrafts is a fantancy. I have several friends with both and if any thing the BPS boat are finished nicer under the decks and the glass lay up heavier. The BPS boats weigh more than the potters. The biggest changes they made in the center consoles was the removal of the padded bolsters and the inside hand rail on the bow. This the only place they cheapened them and I never liked the chincy teak that BPS used.. The septre was a full cutty when potter was building them. Is this one a walk around?
- 8/21/2001 8:40:00 AM
Submitted by
A Long (151.198.194.209) from MARYLAND says reply to Dunk
Dunk,This one is a 1985 (according to the dealer- haven't seen title) that is a regular Cuddy- not a walk around style. It was "different" to me since the transom was for outboards (not modified). I am hardly a SeaCraft expert, but the few older Sceptres I've seen have been I/O or the transom had been closed and modified for an outboard.
If the "Potter" hulls are until 1979, who built the boat in the early and mid 80's... I had heard Morris (BPS) aquired them in '88... was this acquisition earlier?
I've heard from more than one person there are some years were quality suffered... is this also rumor or is there some truth to this- Which years (I've heard late 80's)???
Thanks for the info.
- 8/21/2001 11:47:00 AM
Submitted by
Dunk from NEW JERSEY says Seacraft Years.
Like I said they went from Potters to BPS right around 1981. They were called Seacraft/Trackers. An 85 in decent condition should bring 4-5000.http://www.uscgboating.org/mf/mf_srchMIC.ASP
This is the USCG's site that deals with Manufactures Identification Code (MIC) Seacrafts code is SIC. The problem is it takes you right Seacraft/Tracker with no mention of Seacraft before that. States in business 9/22/81 as Tracker/seacraft. Then it seems that Tracker Bass Boats bought them in 7/87.
Sounds to me like it was just some paper shuffling Morris did in 87/88 that you must of heard about.
NADAguides.com also states they made the 23 Septre in an outboard version in 85 thru 89 which was their last year.
As far as I know it's nothing but rumors. Everyone seems to accept this as fact, I can't.. My statement on them being as solid as the Potters is from actual experience of rebuilding transoms and decks in both Potters and BPS versions. They were both built about the same, but if I had to pick one with more glass in it I'd have to go with the BPS version. As I mentioned they were finished nicer inside(under deck)with a heavier gelcoat. Some of the potters I've seen barely had gelcoating on the inside of their hulls. Remember gelcoat is your first water barrier inside the hull or outside the hull to keep water from soaking into the laminate.
Both are good boats, but BPS did cheapen the inner liners on them and made them more of plain jane. The potters were more of delux boat with bow hand rails, bolsters and the right use of teak.
- 8/21/2001 2:10:00 PM
Submitted by
A Long (151.198.194.209) from MARYLAND says Thanks
Thanks Dunk, you have been very helpful!