New Member - New Boat ?

[VintageGuy]

Hello to all!
I've been out of boating for nearly 15 years - and last owned a classic Glasspar from the mid 1960's. I am looking to get back into boating so that I can share the experience with my wife and little girl. I have spotted a V20 for sale in S. NJ on CL (http://southjersey.craigslist.org/boa/1872467995.html) and am thinking of going to look at it (it's about a 3.5 hour ride from me).

I'd love to benefit from some of the more experienced V20 owners here and have some questions:

1) I'm looking to do a little daily cruising/water skiing and occasional fishing in the waters around Long Island (ocean and sound). Is a V20 the right boat considering my intended use?

2) As my crew will be all female - a head is a must :)
Has anyone installed a pump-out head on a V20? (I'm not thinking emptying a porta-potty is going to be a very pleasant experience - LOL).

3) The V20 for sale on CL looks so very clean - but the problem with a recently restored boat is that it's condition doesn't tell the story of it's care over the years - just the quality of the restoration. Is there anything in particular I should look for/at when inspecting her?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[nipper]

Geez, vintage, that looks like a beauty! Tap around on the transom to see if it is solid and even stand on the outboard and see if you get any flex in the transom. I have never plumbed a porta potti in my V20 cuddy. You are right that emptying out the portapotti is not real pleasant if #2's have been done it, but piece of cake if it is just liquid. Even with the #2 it is not bad if you empty it the day it is used and you use the holding tank liquid stuff (can't think of what it is called but you know what I mean). Just do not forget about a #2 until the end of the season. Been there, done that, and it was horrible.

The V is perfectly suited for the uses you have described. Good luck with it. Assuming floors and transom are solid, and the engine is strong, looks like a really good deal.

[Destroyer]

Gotta agree with Nipper. It looks like a nice deal...especially since he said make offer... that means he's willing to negotiate somewhat. I'd look very carefully at the underside of the boat... check the keel and the front bow especially for large dents or cracks... sure signs that it's hit something hard. Take it for a test run. (Offer to pay for the gas). While on land check the bilge area...make sure it's dry, then, while in the water and before you start playing with the boat at speed and taking water and spray over the sides, check the bilge area again for water. If its wet then there could be a leak or crack. Tap the transom all over, inside and out, with the back of your favorite hard plastic handled screwdriver. You don't want to hear a hollow sound. That means possible rotted wood. You cannot plumb a porta potty... you can buy a head and plumb that. But then you get involved with a macerator, piping, holding tank, etc etc. That's going to be a lot of cutting, fitting, glassing et all...It's easier to empty a porta potty.

[RWilson2526]

1) I'm looking to do a little daily cruising/water skiing and occasional fishing in the waters around Long Island (ocean and sound). Is a V20 the right boat considering my intended use?


Thanks in advance for any advice!

You came to right place if you need help on deciding if a V-20 is the right boat for you. Read around here and you will find out why we love our boats so much. The common thread you will find is that the real draw of a V-20 is the utilitarian nature of the boat. The large cockpit easily accomodates fishing while at the same time allows for a bench seat or some nice folding chairs and makes a good cruising boat too. All will agree that the boat is not made exclusively for fishing or for tubing or for cruising but it does ALL of them respectably which makes the V-20 a great all around boat. We are sure you will be happy if you decide to go with one.

PS dont forget to look down at Willys boat for sale. He is not much further north than Barnegat Bay so as long as you are making a road trip you might want to at least see another boat to compare it to.

[VintageGuy]

Thanks for all your comments! I emailed the seller a couple of days ago - and has yet to get back to me. Why do people put ads on CL and then not respond to emails about their item? :)

I am going to try and go look at a few local V20's to get a feel for the cockpit/cuddy size and layout this weekend. The only hesitation I have about the V20 is that the freeboard seems to be lower than what I'm used to. My last boat had such a high freeboard that it was very comfortable to stand and pilot or simply lean my rear on the edge of the helmsmans chair while piloting (I'm 6'2"). Can any of you V20 owners tell me if you find yourself trying to stand while under way or sit on the top of the BACK of your helmsmans seat to gain some height?

[nipper]

I am only 5'8" and I find myself standing a lot when driving. I use an extra boat cushion or two on the seating portion of the helm seat to be able to look over, rather than through, the windshield. Freeboard is somewhat low on the V20 compared to more leisure (non-fishing) oriented boats, especially with the raised deck on the later self bailing (out thru-hull fittings rather than into the bilge) models.

[RWilson2526]

I'm 6'0" and when sitting in the helm chair I am definitely looking through all windshield. I am definitely standing when around docks or looking for things in the water. Just on a side note I try not to stand if I dont feel that I have to. I was in some pretty heavy chop one day, got distracted for a minute and came about an inch away from busting my forehead wide open on the top of the windshield.

When fishing in the back I would say the gunwhale comes to just under my crotch. Never really felt like I was going to fall out or anything like that.

[Blue_Runner]

I'm 6'0 as well and fully seated I'm looking through the top part of the windshield. Sidding on a throw cushion I'm looking just over.

Standing is ok but the wheel is low. If you had tilt steering it might help a little with the standing while driving.

[garbubba]

One of my favorite features of the V is the high gunnels, I've had mine padded & it hits just above the knee (I'm 6'1"). When snapper fishing in 4' seas it's nice to have that between you & the briney deep.
I replaced the seat with a Todd adjustable, so I can sit, or stand, or turn the seat around & slide it back.

Doug

[inaforty]

Here is a pottie that has pump out fitting.
http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=85492F

However emptying the base is easier and cheaper.