I Found One!

[HookedOnMarsh]

I think I've decided on this '87 V20 Cuddy that has the original 175BlackMax motor. He has taken very good care of this boat from what I can see. Cranked the motor and it fired right away but did not idle until after the 3rd start. Sounded very smooth, revved it up just a little and it sounded very good. Returned to idle and it never stalled, had good strong peetale, and normal blue smoke. I went around the hull hitting it with my hand and walked the floors pretty hard and all felt good. Owner has added battery switch dual batteries, raycor fuel seperator filter, vhf radio, stereo, sonar, no gps but I have a handheld marine anyway. It has the bimini top from the windshield to the back with removable curtains on the sides. Looks like a very good solid boat to me upon inspection. When I go to get her, I'm going to look her over again, but if there was any of the rotting and falling apart issues I've seen and read about on here, wouldn't it be pretty aparent? Is there anything else I should look out for? I am having second thoughts also due to the age and make of the motor. I have only experience with my Johnsons, and with a manual I tuned and repaired them myself. Is this motor a reliable motor? Haven't found much info about these older outboards. I hope this one will last a few years so I can trim out the boat the way I want first. Anything else I should be worried about or tips and tricks with an old boat like this? Can't wait to get it out on the water and try it out.

[tsubaki]

Welcome to the site!
If the motor is pumping water, compression is good and running (big plus with Merc's) and the price is good, you won't find a better boat to spend time making it what you want it to be.
Due to how well these boats are made, any wood rot issues are usually not that evident until some renovation or replacement of stuff commences.

PICTURES ARE EXPECTED!!

[macojoe]

If hyoju have not cked the transom do so!! Do this with the motor up and then try lifting the motor up and down, should be solid with no movement or sounds Merc's start like crap but after that they are fine, CK the compression in all 6 cyl, they should all be with in 10% of each other.

[HookedOnMarsh]

Here are a few pictures of her. What do you think?

[reelapeelin]

Have you sea-trialed this boat?...strongly advise you do prior to cuttin' the check...sounds like you've been over it pretty good, but like MJ says, check that transom...

The motor itself has a great reputation for power and dependability, but just like the Johnsons you are accustomed to, the automatic oiling system on a motor that age is not something I would chance...Provided all else checks out, I'd buy the boat, disconnect the auto-oiler and pre-mix...it's not difficult to do and it'll insure lubrication to the engine...that's my OPINION...lots of those motors still around w/auto-oilers still intact, so it's up to you, but I wouldn't let it stop me from buyin' that boat..looks good...:party:

Looks like it's already got trim-tabs on it...BIG PLUS!!...

[Waterman]

just joined the forum, love these boats, looking and hopefully in the process of buying one any hints or things i should look for would be greatly appreciated

[HookedOnMarsh]

No, I haven't sea trialed this boat, only have the owner's word. It's not like he's somebody we don't know or anything. He kept it garage kept, has receipts for any service work done to the motor. This guy is a very good customer of ours and we have trusted him for years. There just is no way to schedule time for us to both be off from our jobs and go out in it. I wouldn't buy a boat from anyone else without taking it out. He is asking $5500 for everything. Does that sound high? It does need a bath and wax and the wood trim needs to be lightly sanded, stained, and sealed. I was planning to do that myself with oil based stain and polyurethane. One other concern I had is the bilge plug. It is only a compression type stopper that you put in from the outside. I've only had screw in wrench tight bilge plugs. I will of course buy a new one and keep the original as a spare, but has anyone heard of these slipping out in rough water?

[bradford]

$5500 is too high for something you haven't had the chance to run. It would suck to lose a friendship over money. just my humble 2 cents worth.

[bigshrimpin]

No, I haven't sea trialed this boat, only have the owner's word. It's not like he's somebody we don't know or anything. He kept it garage kept, has receipts for any service work done to the motor. This guy is a very good customer of ours and we have trusted him for years. There just is no way to schedule time for us to both be off from our jobs and go out in it. I wouldn't buy a boat from anyone else without taking it out. He is asking $5500 for everything. Does that sound high? It does need a bath and wax and the wood trim needs to be lightly sanded, stained, and sealed. I was planning to do that myself with oil based stain and polyurethane. One other concern I had is the bilge plug. It is only a compression type stopper that you put in from the outside. I've only had screw in wrench tight bilge plugs. I will of course buy a new one and keep the original as a spare, but has anyone heard of these slipping out in rough water?

Compression on that motor should be 125psi in all 6. If it's low (under 115psi in any want cylinder) pass on that boat. Inspect all wires on the ignition components (stator, trigger, harness) aswell as the bleed lines and fuel lines. If you buy it . . . you'll want to remove the spark advanace/idle stabilizer module and oil injection. Those motors are awesome . . . if you want to learn about them visit www.screamandfly.com . . . search for 2.4L. Very very good engines (IMO - the best old school 2 stroke ever built). Drain the Lower Unit after you seatrial and check for water . . . you'll want to change it. $5500 is steep for a v20 these days . . . $3500 is about the tops I would pay that rig. 2003 you could ask those prices and get them.

[reelapeelin]

No, I haven't sea trialed this boat, only have the owner's word. It's not like he's somebody we don't know or anything. He kept it garage kept, has receipts for any service work done to the motor. This guy is a very good customer of ours and we have trusted him for years. There just is no way to schedule time for us to both be off from our jobs and go out in it. I wouldn't buy a boat from anyone else without taking it out. He is asking $5500 for everything. Does that sound high? It does need a bath and wax and the wood trim needs to be lightly sanded, stained, and sealed. I was planning to do that myself with oil based stain and polyurethane. One other concern I had is the bilge plug. It is only a compression type stopper that you put in from the outside. I've only had screw in wrench tight bilge plugs. I will of course buy a new one and keep the original as a spare, but has anyone heard of these slipping out in rough water?


I completely understand the relationship now...a trusted individual for years...but there may be items he doesn't know about, particularly if he hasn't run the boat in a long time...

I've been running a rubber plug in the bilge since 1999 in mine and never had a problem...just make sure the rubber is soft enough to seal...

Listen to bigshrimpin on the motor...he KNOWS his stuff on Mercs...

[RABBITFISH]

I have had my 87 since brand new, only issue was with the fuel tank corrosion requiring a replacement, (did it my self) and Wellcraft has designed the boat to be worked on, everything was easily reachable. However I am on my third motor, they just seem to keep wearing out!!!!! But the boat is still going strong.....Check inside all of the access hatches, sniff for any fuel odors, stick a camera inside them and take pictures from inside the hull where you can't look and you can go back an look at them as much as you need to. As long as the hull is good on the inside, with no weak spots in the floor, I would say go for it, but I also agree the price is a little higher than I would expect for that package. Let us know how your progress goes. Good luck..

Tommy:pic:

[HookedOnMarsh]

I took her home the other day. Got the boat and trailer with many accessories on it. Had everything on it except a fishing pole! Took her home and spent 3 hours tearing into her and washing her from inside out. Everything looks great on this boat. Filled her up with 52 gallons of gas and checked for leaks. (Anyone else notice that the gas fill and vent is right under where the driver sits and would flick ashes out?) Took her to the river and gently cruised her out of the dock and around the area for a few miles. Then took her upriver around 4500-5000RPM for 5 miles. Shut her down, checked that I was using oil out the tank, leaks, etc. Ran her down the river and out into open water this time pushing it to 5800RPM. I am cruising about 45MPH trimmed out at 5800RPM. There is little bit of throttle left, but scared to take it up to 6000RPM. I finished off the day running 50 miles only getting up to 5200RPM.
I am very impressed with this boat. Why did Wellcraft discontinue such a fine boat? I felt like I was driving a tank when I would hit large waves kicked up by other boaters. My other boat would have hurt me hitting them like this thing can. I did notice the deck of the cuddy flexing just a little bit in rough water. This part appears to be very thin fiberglass, so maybe it's just normal. I can sit on the deck and it doesn't feel bad. Underneath looks good.
Will post some pics after I get her waxed up. I am hooked on this style boat. I know I probably spent more than I should have for this rig, but from what I saw today, I think it was worth it.

:nice:

[reelapeelin]

Sounds like your new V has found a good home!!...that's a pretty good 1st run...good "skakedown" cruise!!... :sun: