1977 SeaCraft Tsunami 23

BradVaBeach · #1 06-09-2003, 04:38 PM

I'm looking at this boat in my area. It's a '77 Tsunami. It's fully tricked out for offshore fishing out of Va Beach. My problem is buying a boat this old. I'm not interested in a salvage boat or a restoration project. Everything on the boat is new except the hull itself. What is the track record on the hulls of these boats? How can I tell if there's rotten wood in the hull? Also, where can I go to get a good price quote on this boat? NADA does not list Tsunami model in it's price calculater. The guy's asking way too much, $22,500. Somebody want to just tell me to get an Albemarle 24' and be done with it? or is this boat worth persuing?

BradVaBeach · #2 06-09-2003, 05:57 PM

I should also note that the Tsunami model is a cuddy cabin, not a center console.

Finster · #3 06-09-2003, 06:05 PM

Really?....... [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

Mark · #4 06-09-2003, 06:35 PM

You mention a few different phrases in your post:

"..way tricked out.."

"..everything new except the hull.."

"..1977 " (some call those Potter hulls)

"...way too much money.." at $22,500...

Barring any rotten transom or soft spots in the floor, this may not be the place for sympathy - there are people selling 20' foot boats for nearly that much which are even older.

If the old hull part bothers you, have a look at the following photos and figure how much you think this "old hull" might be worth:

http://www.classicseacraft.com/tomswhitewater.htm

Good luck/
mark

BradVaBeach · #5 06-10-2003, 11:08 AM

Ok, let me try to start over. #1 I am not interested in a project boat. I want something that is ready to fish and will not break apart when I'm 70 miles offshore. #2 For the same money this guy is asking, I'd be able to find a late 80's early 90's vintage Albemarle 24 cuddy. This would take a long time because theyr'e so rare.

I guess what I'm trying to do is estimate the probability that the hull is rotten. If there is a 50% chance that the hull is rotten and therefore only worth say $8000 to me and there is a 50% chance that the hull is fine and therefore worth the full $22,500, that means the estimated value of the boat for me is only $15,250. Changing the above assumptions dramatically effects what I'd pay for the boat. An 80% chance of a rotten hull makes the boat only worth $10,900. Or if the boat with a rooten hull is only worth $4000 and we're back to the 50-50 chance of being rotten it's worth $13,250. Should I just price the baot ASSUMING the hull IS rotten? The guy selling it is obviously not pricing it this way.

The reason I am posting to this site is that I am hoping that some among you might know how long these boats generally last and also what might be an appropriate price for a boat with the above specifications. Here, take a look at it http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/4/46551974.htm

Thanks for the interest. Kepp the comments coming!

-Brad

ScottM · #6 06-10-2003, 11:36 AM

One word - surveyor. Don't assume anything and have a qualified marine surveyor look at it.

Personally, I think think the seller is asking a reasonable amount of money - new hardtop, new engines/outdrives, etc. etc.

Mark · #7 06-10-2003, 12:52 PM

If the transom is dry, there is no reason that a late 70's Seacraft should last a day shorter than an Albemarle.

Have a surveyor thoroughly go through it for you and if positive results come back, take it for a spin. If you like it, great. If not, start looking at some NC newspapers in the classified section for an Albemarle - there are a bunch of them down there.

SECF3114M73J · #8 06-10-2003, 12:56 PM

Scotts right, get a survey,only way to go.

Miles Offshore · #9 06-10-2003, 12:57 PM

Brad, I am also from Va.Beach- In Lynnhaven where I keep my boat there are 3 c/c's and 1 tsunami- 72,74,78 Mine- not sure on the tsunami. also several albies-not going to downtalk albies because they are also great boats. The ride is somewhat different though. The old formula 23'3 hull. I seriuosly doubt the hull is rotton, but the sc's are known for transoms being that way. But so is every other boat I know of that age. If you want to send me a PM or e-mail then I would be happy to discuss with you or give you my home number .Survey is the best thing to do. Im usually home after 5 weekdays, except tonight I am red drum fishing.. craig

[ June 11, 2003, 05:26 AM: Message edited by: Miles Offshore ]

FELLOW-SHIP · #10 06-12-2003, 04:21 PM

Ha Brad as already said survey is the only way for you. I personally would never buy a boat that old unless I was willing to do work on it. Older boats are like older houses they can look good for a while but something will need to be fixed in a year or two. For a guy like you not wanting to do boat type repair look at something 3-5 yrs old or so shouldn’t be too much to fix yet.
Fellow-Ship [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]