Hey looking at a 20 ft bay boat, what can you tell me about sea fox?
New?
I own a 2012 20’ bay boat and love it. Plenty of storage. It rides dry. I was able to choose my own electronics (i’m not a fan of what they were using standard when i bought mine but maybe they’ve changed now). I like the front and rear casting platforms, and we opted for the cushion package for the wife for cruising. The anchor box is spacious enough for my bow and stern anchors.
There are a couple things i would have done different but they are minor really. As with anything else, nothing is perfect. There is a dip in front of the self bailing drains that collects water and debris and it annoys me. The socket for the anchor light pole is centered in the splashwell so you could potentially bend the light pole trimming the motor up if you aren’t careful. I had a problem with the snaps on the cushions (not enough/correct placement) they addressed it immediately and fixed the issue.
PM me if you have any specific questions or want to come by and look at one without being harassed on the lot.
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Originally posted by Bolbie…the harbor was slick as an eel pecker.
Thanks for the reply!
The owner of the boat described having a couple of “soft spots” in the boat. I didn’t think any modern boat had wood or anything that would result in a soft spot. This is a 2004 model I am looking at.
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The owner of the boat described having a couple of "soft spots" in the boat. I didn't think any modern boat had wood or anything that would result in a soft spot. This is a 2004 model I am looking at.
Just walk away. A couple of soft spots could cost you thousands of dollars.
Many modern boats have wood cores 
Most of the best custom boats in the world actually, including mine. Nothing wrong with wood, if it’s the right wood and right building methods. Foam can delaminate easier than wood and it is not as strong.
84’ Jarrett Bay under construction…
60’ Paul Mann
90’ Bayliss
Can’t get pics to work, sorry.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
If Sea Fox is on the side of the boat, regardless of year, just walk away.
quote:^^^X2, X3, X4.
Originally posted by Half-hitchedIf Sea Fox is on the side of the boat, regardless of year, just walk away.
Molon Labe!
Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. - Anatole France (paraphrased)
RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. Still can’t get him out of my mind. What a special friend he was.
Thanks for the advise. The hunt for an affordable 17-20 ft cc will continue…
Its like the saying you get what you pay for. Is a SeaFox as good as a Contender or Yellowfin, hell no. My wife once had a Kia SUV and then I bought her a Lexus SUV, which do you think was better and then again which one do you think cost more as well. I have a Seafox CC, bought new in 2006 and have never had a problem with it, almost bought a 24ft Scout before that but couldn’t see spending that much money. The good thing is that my boat was paid off quite a few years ago, there is nothing better than a boat that is paid off that is still in great shape and has never left you stranded. If you are fishing tournaments,are a professional guide or just have disposable income get the higher quality boat. Although my boat has not done me wrong since I’ve had it, I would probably go with another brand in the future. My ideal boat would be a 25ft Parker with the cabin, those boats make great dive/spearfishing and bottom bumping boats. You gotta love all the room in the back for dive gear. I’ve heard they aren’t the best riding due to the forward driving position but I think I could deal with it.
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The hunt for an affordable 17-20 ft cc will continue...
What price range are you shopping?
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I have a 2008 206CC SeaFox with DF140 Suzuki.
I feel it is slightly under powered. The DF175 would be ideal. My next boat will be max rated power.
It is a wet ride, if you have any cross wind you will be soaked.
It will rattle your teeth but take the beating.
I have some spider cracking around a T-top stanchon and where the previous owner used a transom strap across the gunwhales instead of using the eye bolts. I switched to the transom eye bolts and the spider cracks have not spread.
The anchor well is not glassed solid to the keel so the bow eye has play in it.
The screws in the SS rubrails are not straight.
The underside of hatches are not “finished”. They are white and smooth enough but not “finished” grade.
The console has monkey carpet in it instead of being finished fiberglass.
The fuel seperator and raw water pump are up under the splashwell inside the bilge which takes a few acrobat classes to get to them.
The livewell is not glassed all the way up to the deck so when your running with a full livewell water can splash into the bilge area. Not critical, but not right.
The nonskid deck takes alot to get clean. I thought it was just me but I had a guy come detail the boat last year and he confirmed the SeaFox decks were one of the hardest to clean. Something about the design of the grid pattern.
The anchor well came with the light pole holders to hold the anchor. I ended up making a locking hanger bracket out of starboard to correctly hang the anchor on.
Am I being critical of a price point boat? Yes. Are any of these reasons not to buy a SeaFox? Not for me. I could buy close to 2 SeaFox for the price of 1 competators boat. Is the boat prefect? No but it does what I need it to. I can say you should stick to SeaFox boats manufactured after 2006-2008. I believe that was when they switched to the current body style. The older models had alot more problems (so I read).
Good luck with your search. I had to look outside the Charleston area to find what I wanted at my price point.
I am looking 7k down-ish… Full time college student at 40, so have have to wait to get the REAL one I want.
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I am looking 7k down-ish..
It’s going to be hard to find a “good” boat in that size range for that price. Good luck with your search.
I think I’ll soon have a Cracker Built Dory up for sale that would serve you well, but you’ll need at least twice that to buy it.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I would really like to take a look. 7k is a very comfortable figure but not a hard line. Could you maybe shoot me a few pics?
I really hate to sell it, it’s been the best boat I’ve ever owned or built, but I need to finance another project and trying to decide what to do. She is named No Excuse for a reason, no corners were cut building this boat.
Since that picture was taken she’s got a new Martin Marine custom T-top and swim platform, and a lot of other stuff. If I sell it,it will be a complete package including anchor and life jackets and CG required equipment. Bob’s jackplate, Wang anchor bracket and 2 stake out sticks, ready to fish tomorrow. Still pondering. Selling a good boat is almost like selling a good dog, but I could never sell my dog!!
I could be persuaded…, the boat, not the dog 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
That is a very nice boat. Slender beam on her, with that 70 I bet she will slide right along.
Thanks. Roughly 19’ X 6’8". This boat was designed by Jacques Mertens for the USCG as an inlet and surf rescue boat in Florida. I worked close with Jacques while building it.
She will float and pole in 6" of water and run in 12". She has also made 3 Bahama crossings, caught wahoo, sails and dolphin in the Keys, tarpon at Boca Grande pass, and cobia in Broad River. Not to mention 1,000 redfish and trout
It’s very light compared to production boats, about half the weight. The 70 pushes her about 33 with a light load, 30 with a heavy one. It’s not designed to be fast, but it’s efficient. Averages about 7-8 mpg, range of about 300 miles with a 40 gallon tank.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I’d get Larry to add some rod holders to the T-top first:smiley:…Nice, Capt.
NN
07, 23 Key West, Twin 115 Yammys
“Coastal Bound”
8 rod holders on the T-top, 6 on the gunwales, plus a fly rod holder at the bow bulkhead. Also 2 Taco outrigger bases with custom rod holders that swing out like mini outriggers. 17 should be enough for a 19’ boat
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
there was a time when seafox was building an entry level boat and charged entry level prices.
nothing wrong with an entry level boat when its priced as an entry level boat.
my issue with the current line of seafox boats is they have definitely upgraded the styling, and the price seems to have followed the styling, but the build quality has not increased to keep pace with the styling and the pricing.
still building entry level boats, but charging to much for them.
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Originally posted by cdt2316I have a Seafox CC, bought new in 2006 and have never had a problem with it
This is where it all begins and ends. You buy something new and make all the payments you are more inclined to protect and care for your “investment”(a boat is never an investment). Your 2006 is probably in great shape and well taken care of. It’s the 2006 that has had multiple owners and sat at a dealership in between those owners and not looked at twice until a customer expressed interest in it that has all the problems.
Also keep in mind, for the most part, the higher the initial new price point the better care it has most likely had as those people that can afford the more expensive boat can almost always afford to maintain and care for their assets without thinking about it. Not always true but I promise you that in the first 10 years of it’s life a BMW has a better maintenance record than a Kia.
And BTW that is an awesome boat Cracker!
2012 Carolina Skiff J14, 25 Merc, Jackplate