A boat question(not a Seacraft)

[bigeasy1]

A friend of mine is looking for a boat in the 22 to 24 foot range for the great lakes.Of course I told him he needs a SeaCraft,but he either can't find one that doesn't need a total restoration or if already done,it's more than he can spend.
We came across a 1972 23' Seabird listed for sale, on a bulletin board in a local tackle shop.The picture of course looks good,but who really knows what shape it's in.
The seller claims it's in good shape,has a late model 2001 trailer,lots of fishing equipment tackle downriggers etc.He's asking $5,000 for it.

My question I guess is,does anyone know what the ride is compared to the Seacraft. Did these Seabirds have a cored hull ?.
I seem to remember someone on this site that had a Seabird ctr console.I've heard a lot of good stuff about them,but other than some pictures,I don't know anything about them.The one for sale is a cuddy model with kind of a strange looking high top cabin on it.It may have been something built by the owner or previous owner.

Anyone have any direct experience with this brand and it's hull and ride,is it worth a look,anything special to look for or ask of the seller??

[fdheld34]

I would rather go Seacraft ..seabird has balsa cored hull...don't think they utilize stringers just an inner liner of sorts..
I almost bought one last month (a 1978) and did some research but found my 23' Sceptre so went with the Sceptre instead.
I would stay away from the Seabird if it has the old omc outdrive due to weak link in trim tilt and scarcity of parts. Also the one I was looking at had a 289 which seemed to be underpowered to me.
Don't know how they compare to a Seacraft ride...never been on one but heard they are a great ride.
Also the 78 I was looking at had a flat cabin...high top cabins were in the earlier models (I like the high top look personally!). lot of folks like the older model early 70's seabirds because they are easily converted to center consoles...the top cuddy cap is just screwed/bolted on so they are somewhat easily removable to make the conversion...inner liner is the same all the way for the cuddy and center consoles.

-Fred

[cdavisdb]

I had one for a decade, ran it hard, lots of Bahama trips. Good boat, but not nearly the performance of my 25 Seafari. I haven't ridden in a Seacraft 23, but suspect that the Seabird is close but not as good as a 23 in a head sea. Build quality is about the same.

Agree with Fred on the older omc's and the high cabin. I had a low cabin and the higher one would have been much better for camping on.

The entire boat is balsa cored and that is what finally did mine in, water in the core = death in the long run. The boat is tough enough that even with a rotting core, I used it hard for years and it was still good for light duty when I sold it. I had to spend money on it several times to limit the damage as it spread.

Its a 24 degree deepV, designed for the Gulf Stream, runs well straight into chop until it gets over 3 ft. Wind chop head seas of 3-4 or higher get painful fast if you have to run more than 10 miles. Any other wave direction, it will handle most anything just fine.

Power in mine was a carbed 350 with a volvo duoprop. Near perfect for the hull.

If you get serious about buying that one, find someone with a good moisture meter ( or buy one) and check it very close for water in the core. Otherwise, with good power its a good option.

Connor

[bigeasy1]

Thanks Fred,
and my apologies to everyone for posting this on the performance board,I wasn't paying attention.

The cored hull scares me,just to many areas for rot and definitely not fun doing hull core.He didn't say what kind of drive,but it was a 351 ci Ford Windsor motor.
Maybe for ha ha's we'll take a peek at it next time we're up that way.It would have to be in very nice condition,or I don't see an advantage over spending a few bucks more for a decent 23 Sceptre or Tsunami.
I keep telling him that he's better off getting a 23 Seacraft even if he has to pay more,it's a lot cheaper in the long run.

[ScottM]

I had a '72 CC that was converted to a transom-mounted OB (had a '89 225 Johnson). The console wasn't original but it was a factory CC configuration. The hull bottom and deck are cored, hull sides are all glass. I had mine when my father had his 23' Sceptre and I was more impressed with the Seabird's ride than the SC. Now some of it may be the difference of a CC vs. cabin layout - driving position, center of gravity, etc., but if I dropped the tabs a bit into an honest 2-3' chop, she would eat it up.

To compare, I bought mine with a ratty painted steel trailer and no electronics in late '03 for $3700. I sold it in '08 with a brand new aluminum bunk trailer and electronics (VHF, FF, chart plotter) for $5,500 after having it on the market for a year.

Pictured here with aforementioned ratty trailer.

[cdavisdb]

I did not know the hull sides were not cored. Maybe that is why I never had any core problems in the sides.

Are you sure about that? Drill a hole through the side?

[bigeasy1]

Now I remember where I saw that boat, thanks Scott.Nice to know that at least the sides arent cored.

[ScottM]

Originally Posted by cdavisdb

Are you sure about that? Drill a hole through the side?

Yup. When I bought the boat, the previous owner had mounted 0 degree swivel rod holders in the gunwales and reinforced them by anchoring them to the hull sides. When I removed the rod holders, I was able to confirm the sides were solid glass. If you look in my photo, just below the rub rail 3-4 feet from the stern are 2 bolt heads about 12-14 inches apart. That is where the rod holders were anchored. I believe the coring ended around the chine/waterline area.