Early vs later gen seacraft

[bgreene]

Legend of “ Potter built” era seems to be consistently favorable.

Builder I respect had told me the Tracker actually used more fiberglass.

Interested in other expert comments

[Shotgunwilly1117]

They did use more fiberglass but that doesn’t help if it’s not done correctly.

[fishingproblem]

Originally Posted by Shotgunwilly1117

They did use more fiberglass but that doesn’t help if it’s not done correctly.

Great first post and I already like you.

[bgreene]

Oops, I should have had this post in " General" forum....

I did a search and found lots of previous posts on this subject...

[Fr. Frank]

ALL of the 1987 Tracker 18' and 20' boats and all the 1988 18' hulls were actually built by SeaCraft Industries before the Tracker purchase, and finished by the same folks after Tracker bought the company. Most of the '87 23' boats were also built by SCI except the 1987 23' WA, where the first 8 WA hulls were laid by SCI, but the caps and liners were built by Tracker.

(I managed a marina back then where we were SeaCraft dealers, both before and after the Tracker take-over).

[captainDH]

i own a 2005 classic 23, know another friend who has an 06' version, and know of a few friends who have had potters....so here is my take....
i am very aware of all of the "bass pro special" bashing that the newer boats get. i have read every thread about these boats. i have concluded that most of the issues were with the 32s and 25s, the issues were hit or miss with the 23, most 21s were tight, and the 20s seemed to be ok as well other than the self bailing issues. i studied everything i could about my 23 including calling the prior owners before i purchased it from the then at time current owner. bottom line is that most of the potters, either you buy one that has already been restored, or it's more or less a project. few are still perfectly solid that are 100% original, and if they are perfectly solid, tank still original but good, they bring even more money but yet the next trip out in the boat you could face a problem not yet discovered. while the newer BPS boats are treated like the red headed step children, i can honestly say they are all composite, no wood, solid as a tank, and mine has zero stress cracks anywhere. really all i have to do is upgrade electronics and eventually repower, as to be expected with any boat of this vintage. that being said, my friends who had the potters and rode in mine, actually said mine rides as good if not better as it just felt heavier and more solid. no shakes, squeaks, rattles, nothing.... so I'm a fan of all of them, but seems like the BPS era boats are no way near even close to restoration phases yet due to composite construction. seems like the logical way to go, and feel that other current owners must feel the same way as well, as just take a look at the market, they are truly hard to find.
and just as FYI to Bgreene, i am the empty cannibal on THT, who had the 4 albemarles.

[uncleboo]

I think it boils down to the LOVE that was put into them. The earlier models were made in an era when the owners were heavily involved in the process, sort of a competition with the other builders. The later boats were made by a money driven corporation... no love. jm2cw

[Capt Terry]

CaptainDH-Although I have never ridden in a Tracker SeaCraft, you make some valid points about material usages that were not available years ago. I'd be glad to have the only wood be the teak trim. Along with the comment someone made about the early ones were made with love, I would have to add maintaining anything with love is equally valid. I drove a '68 Corvette for 30 years and am still enjoying my 20' Seafari in my 42 year of ownership. And celebrating 48 years of marriage this year. I have replaced rotten balsa in the stepdown and no transom replacement needed yet. Still get compliments on her appearance. A great boat with lots of family memories, used to be with the kids, now with the grands too. Hope you enjoy yours for years!

[thehermit]

didn't the CSY years use the most glass?

[captainDH]

Originally Posted by Shotgunwilly1117

They did use more fiberglass but that doesn’t help if it’s not done correctly.

this is actually very true, so Hermit, not really sure how that question can be answered. i was always told by Mac Privott at Albemarle when questioning the use of chopper gun is not as good as hand laid glass. his response was "the secret is the man behind the gun, as he knows how/where to apply for maximum strength". all i can say is that boat building materials have highly evolved since the 60s/70s/80s, as so has the techniques. the newer boats have no wood/composite construction, and none of us seems to see any rebuild pics/threads on the newer boats, only the older boats. there should be some merit to that point, even though the tracker era boats "get no love".. mine gets plenty from me. can't wait to see if the transom can hold up with either a 350 or 400R down the road, as they are available in 30" legs as well. no heavier than my current Gen 1 250 Vrod at 670 lbs now.