1986 Wellcraft V20 Fisherman

[rocky10747]

I am new to this site and this is my first post. I am thinking about purchasing a 1986 Wellcraft V20 Fisherman with a 140 Johnson. Seller wants 5000.00. It has a Humminbird depth/fish finder and a VHS radio; Coast Guard safety equipment. Everything works. Is there anything I should look for?? Thanks

[Curapa]

What is the year and hrs. on the motor?

[smkinnan]

Along with the motor age and hours, be very critical of the transom and floor. $5000 seems high to me unless the boat is really nice. Typically the rest of these boats are pretty rock solid unless you see something obvious though.

[RWilson2526]

Welcome aboard.....depending on the year of the motor like Curapa asked, and what part of the country you are in that price could be high based upon what I've seen for sale lateley. (although I sometimes laugh at why us owners are so fast to devalue our boat publicly!!) Like said, look for soft floor and weak transom. For 5K it should be perfect. Keep in mind too you can easily drop a grand into a boat just buying all the litlte things that are nice to have....a boat that has all the frills included will save you in the long run.

[grady268]

Last summer, I bought my 1986 V20 Fisherman for $3000. It has a 1996 Yamaha 150 and a 1996 trailer. Transom is solid and motor is strong. Of course, there are a couple of soft spots in the deck but nothing bad. I think the boat you are looking at is on the high side.

[Destroyer]

Along with everyone else please allow me to welcome you aboard. Some general thoughts... 5k seems to be too much... it would have to be "very" nice for me to spring for that amount. Look at the engine & trailer as well as the boat... Engines are big bucks to replace, and trailers are easily (1) one thousand or more. If you need help in what to look for just ask.:head:

[reelapeelin]

W/the motor tilted up, apply your body weight to the lower unit of the motor and listen...snap, crackle, pop means a weak transom....no noise at all is a solid one...owner freakin out means he KNOWS it's bad...

How many other V20 have you looked at?...is this the only one...if so, you might want to look around some, unless this boat has a GREAT trailer and a nearly new motor...

[Chiefsurfer]

Hey there guys. I am also new to the forum. Last summer(July) I bought my 1987 V-20 CC. It had a 1999 yamaha C150, about 400 hrs on it, 2008 t-top installed, and 2008 dual axle trailer. Boat was GREAT. Solid transom, solid deck, minus the tank hatch. Tank was original, thought it would be an easy swap, not so. Something for the off season. Replaced all the wiring, pumps, batteries, had 2008 garmin 650 chartplotter/gps. I paid $5k.

If you're talking original motor, you're way high. All original, considering hull is immaculate, maybe $3k.

[rocky10747]

Thanks for all your reply's. The boat is clean. No hr meter on it. Original motor 1986. Cannot find any soft spots. Transom seems solid..Trailer not the greatest needs some work..Has new depth & fish finder and VHS radio..Low end!!Nothing Great..Everyone here says price is high and I take your word on that..Guess I'll keep looking and see if I can find something else...Thanks for all your input...Rocky

[Hedge]

Don't just give up on it if you like it, offer the person selling what YOU are willing to pay for it. They may have priced it high to begin with to negotiate downwards and still end up getting what it is worth to them.

[RWilson2526]

and where you live matters too....if you are on the east coast I agree that its a little high but like Hedge said dont necessarily give up on it...its not that high....If you are in California or interior portions of the country the price is reasonable.

[rocky10747]

Don't just give up on it if you like it, offer the person selling what YOU are willing to pay for it. They may have priced it high to begin with to negotiate downwards and still end up getting what it is worth to them.


The seller wanted 5,900 I got him down to 5,000. He said he would fix all broken parts on trailer. Got to work on him some more. Hopefully get him down a least another 500-700 dollars..I'll keep you guys posted on how I do..lol Thanks to all!!

[rocky10747]

and where you live matters too....if you are on the east coast I agree that its a little high but like Hedge said dont necessarily give up on it...its not that high....If you are in California or interior portions of the country the price is reasonable.

I like if Florida on the west coast (Gulf Side) I'm going to work on seller and try to get him down another 500-700 dollars...Wish me luck..I have lot's of luck but it's all bad..lol

[Chiefsurfer]

I would be weary of a trailer that old that needs help. Usually it's a lot cheaper buying a used trailer in "good" condition, and scrapping the bad one, over repair bills. Just something to consider.

[Cam]

You can definitely do better on the price (much better) citing all you have told us so far. Give the owner a low ball figure and see what happens. I personally would not buy it for more than $3500.00, mainly because of the motor age, not knowing the hours. Good Luck!!!

[eegs2k]

you can do better based on age of the motor.

[rocky10747]

Thanks you all your reply's and support. I will work on the seller..Rocky