3/4 of the way through a 73' steplift rebuild!

[Illogikal99]

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=745


I am a new member but I have a ton of experience with this Steplift. the above pic was taken last summer after a year or so of work. I have owned this boat since 2001. I use her primarily as a surf/fish boat. This hull has seen many snotty, rough days and has handled them with the attitude of a much bigger heavier boat! I just could not trade her in for a newer boat that probably wouldn't perform as well. It was an easy decision to start a rebuild.
I removed the deck to get a look at the trouble spots and found that the stringers and bulkheads aft of mid-deck had to be removed and replaced. I have a 55gal Belly tank that was drained and cleaned prior to the deck going back on. Replaced and rewired Lenco tabs, removed old Gil bracket and replaced with stainless marine unit. Replaced my old 140 VRO with the 225 Johnson above. sucker moves! Just finished new canvas with full enclosure, looking forward to installing a fishing arch complete with spreader lights, rocket launcher and antenna mounts. will be adding storage seat risers as soon as I fabricate and glass over ply. working on new stainless bowrail right now. any ideas, thoughts or comments are welcome! would love to hear something I haven't thought of so please fire away!:sun:

[Illogikal99]

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=775

New Canvas!

[Bygracealone]

VERY NICE!!! I can't believe she sits so nicely in the water with that big 225 AND the kicker on a bracket!!! I would have thought she'd be sitting really heavy in the back, but it doesn't look that way at all.

Would love to see more pics of her.

Welcome to the site!

[Illogikal99]

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=750


http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=751

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=754

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=760

the good, the bad and the ugly...

[Illogikal99]

ahhh the beauty of the flotaion bracket! Thank you Stainess Marine for making my 225 possible!
believe it or not she sat heavier in the *** with the 140 and the old bracket.
thanks for the good words, I'll keep the pics coming :)

[Illogikal99]

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=748
this is the setup I recently replaced, 140 VRO with a 20" shaft on a frame Gil Bracket. served me well but the new setup is just better in all regards. slightly heavier but the power makes up for it and fuel consumption is not as bad as I figured. Still a pig by todays standards but I am a long way from affording an E-tec.
wish I had some water shots of the old setup to compare the freeboard between the two motors and brackets...



VERY NICE!!! I can't believe she sits so nicely in the water with that big 225 AND the kicker on a bracket!!! I would have thought she'd be sitting really heavy in the back, but it doesn't look that way at all.

Would love to see more pics of her.

Welcome to the site!

[Kracker Jack]

That yellow paint on your boat looks awesome. Very nice boat.

[RWilson2526]

Great rebuild!....Boat looks fantastic. Dont know how many more ideas you need from us! With the bracket and enclosure, if you add the arch you pretty much have the trifecta going on in my opinion.

Welcome to the site by the way.

[bgreene]

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=745


I am a new member but I have a ton of experience with this Steplift. the above pic was taken last summer after a year or so of work. I have owned this boat since 2001. I use her primarily as a surf/fish boat. This hull has seen many snotty, rough days and has handled them with the attitude of a much bigger heavier boat! I just could not trade her in for a newer boat that probably wouldn't perform as well. It was an easy decision to start a rebuild.
I removed the deck to get a look at the trouble spots and found that the stringers and bulkheads aft of mid-deck had to be removed and replaced. I have a 55gal Belly tank that was drained and cleaned prior to the deck going back on. Replaced and rewired Lenco tabs, removed old Gil bracket and replaced with stainless marine unit. Replaced my old 140 VRO with the 225 Johnson above. sucker moves! Just finished new canvas with full enclosure, looking forward to installing a fishing arch complete with spreader lights, rocket launcher and antenna mounts. will be adding storage seat risers as soon as I fabricate and glass over ply. working on new stainless bowrail right now. any ideas, thoughts or comments are welcome! would love to hear something I haven't thought of so please fire away!:sun:

Nice lookin' rig - how fast with that 225 ? I'm a " how fast freak"........

[Destroyer]

Nice looking rig. I'm a tad jealous of the 225 sitting on the rear.. looks huge for the boat... awe inspiring. Well done.:clap:

Welcome to the site. :beer:

[willy]

Nothing Illogikal about that, two recommendations though, first put a couple of super models in bikini's inside and take some shots, better yet invite me to Long Island and I will take them for you.
Before we bloody the deck of course.

Very nice, well done:clap:

[tsubaki]

Dang, I like the way that thing looks and floats!
Very nice!:clap:
Post more pictures!

[phatdaddy]

if that's 3/4 done, i can't wait to see the finished product. looks good

[Illogikal99]

Nice lookin' rig - how fast with that 225 ? I'm a " how fast freak"........


tough to tell for sure since I dont have my GPS yet but I would guess that it does between 50 and 55 with no gear, half a tank and 2 people aboard. I rarely open her all the way up, I prefer to save the fuel and use the power to get out of the hole when loaded for a day then back it off a bit. I gotta say when conditions are right and the bay is like a sheet of glass, this boat is a hell of a lot of fun to open up. I've heard people complain about "chine walk" when overpowered but this hull has handled like a bluewater speedboat! top speed is fast but you dont feel out of control at all...

[Illogikal99]

Nothing Illogikal about that, two recommendations though, first put a couple of super models in bikini's inside and take some shots, better yet invite me to Long Island and I will take them for you.
Before we bloody the deck of course.

Very nice, well done:clap:

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=765


will she do??? I'd suggest you time your visit with the installation of my seats! my sense of priority is totally shot...

[Illogikal99]

Dang, I like the way that thing looks and floats!
Very nice!:clap:
Post more pictures!


http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=777

I need more pics in the water. Maybe a few from the dock or another boat when I'm at WOT! I don't even know what this thing looks like wide open...
I'll send more photos if I find them.

[Destroyer]

I need more pics in the water. Maybe a few from the dock or another boat when I'm at WOT! I don't even know what this thing looks like wide open... I'll send more photos if I find them.

It will look something like this:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/Destroyer511/Boat%20Pics/V20-13.jpg

(That's a 225 Johnson WOT and reading 56mph on the GPS)

[Kracker Jack]

Illogikal99 I noticed you from New York area and notice you surfed. I looked up a map of where you are from. You guys pick up on some nice south swells. I surf here in virginia. Im from Va beach.

[reelapeelin]

You might be new around here...but you walked in w/the FULL package!!...right down to the Super Model...

I too woulda thought @$$ heavy, but apparently the flotation bracket really does a job...

Back in '99 I floated the '74 shown below...I talked to wellcraft about adding belly tank and they strongly advised against it...glad you didn't talk to them 1st!!...glad to see it can be done!!...:clap:

And hey...no way you could post too many pics of that baby!!...some up on plane shots would be great...:sun:

[Illogikal99]

Illogikal99 I noticed you from New York area and notice you surfed. I looked up a map of where you are from. You guys pick up on some nice south swells. I surf here in virginia. Im from Va beach.

occassionally we get some swell up here, usually come summer, the doldrums turn this place into lake Atlantic. The best surf is to be had in the dead of winter, the changing of the seasons and when the hurricanes come marching through our swell window. when Noreasters push through we have usually a matter of hours to a day to get on it before it dies or blows out. If you want to see how good it can get then youtube the Long Beach quicksilver pro 2011! damn that was a good swell! I headed east for that one and had a lonely day of overhead surf and no pictures to prove it ever even happened...
below is my favorite point break going off! I usually anchor up just outside of the surf zone and jump right into it. there is also a sheltered sand beach behind the break that I can beach the boat at if its too big. If you visit LI for surf, I hope you like lefts...

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=787

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=788

[Illogikal99]

It will look something like this:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l111/Destroyer511/Boat%20Pics/V20-13.jpg

(That's a 225 Johnson WOT and reading 56mph on the GPS)

yep, that looks about right! Wish it wasn't cold and rainy up here, I'd drop in and get my own action shots lol.

[reelapeelin]

yep, that looks about right! Wish it wasn't cold and rainy up here, I'd drop in and get my own action shots lol.


Try to make the NJ Raft-Up in July!!...there's another yeller boat down there you might find interesting...They call it MISTER Sponge Bob!!...I made it w/help from Lee in NC comin' from SC last year...from your place, it'd be a walk in the park...LOL!!

[Illogikal99]

You might be new around here...but you walked in w/the FULL package!!...right down to the Super Model...

I too woulda thought @$$ heavy, but apparently the flotation bracket really does a job...

Back in '99 I floated the '74 shown below...I talked to wellcraft about adding belly tank and they strongly advised against it...glad you didn't talk to them 1st!!...glad to see it can be done!!...:clap:

And hey...no way you could post too many pics of that baby!!...some up on plane shots would be great...:sun:

I will be moving both batteries up forward under the 2 helm seats. I figure this will level her out much better than leaving them against the transom. the flotation bracket definitely makes a difference, I'm sure without it she would sit another 3 or more inches lower. the belly tank actually came with the boat in 2001 when I bought it. I still have the saddle tanks and a 3 way tank switch valve setup. the guy who owned it in the 80s really customized the hell out of it. custom transom/bracket, donzi yellow hull, outriggers, full canvas, tabs, belly tank etc... I actually found the guy by accident and he showed me pics of 300lb sharks being pulled over the side while 20 or so miles offshore! He still loves the boat, and was psyched that I am keeping her up to date and seaworthy. she has a good history as a fish magnet and the previous owner backed that statement up with pics, stories and smiles. I guess I'm not too surprised that I found the old owner, bright yellow v-20s arent too common around here.

[Illogikal99]

Try to make the NJ Raft-Up in July!!...there's another yeller boat down there you might find interesting...They call it MISTER Sponge Bob!!...I made it w/help from Lee in NC comin' from SC last year...from your place, it'd be a walk in the park...LOL!!

Thanks for the invite, if my trailer is fixed up by then I wouldn't mind the trip. right now the trailer is an undersize POS but it gets the job done and my nearest ramp is within walking distance so I've slacked on fixing it... I should get to it anyway.v1

[Kracker Jack]

God I wish we had more jettys!!!!!!! I might have to make it up there one day! Me and some buddies have always talked about heading north to surf, we always seem to head south we are only 1hr. and 45 min. from hatteras. yea the high pressures kill us in the summer with the oocasional northeast wind swell that lasts like you said about 4 hours after the blow is gone. Our late summer and fall is insane here from hurricane swells. Seems like a cool place to live.

[Illogikal99]

God I wish we had more jettys!!!!!!! I might have to make it up there one day! Me and some buddies have always talked about heading north to surf, we always seem to head south we are only 1hr. and 45 min. from hatteras. yea the high pressures kill us in the summer with the oocasional northeast wind swell that lasts like you said about 4 hours after the blow is gone. Our late summer and fall is insane here from hurricane swells. Seems like a cool place to live.

I Love my island but we have faaaar too many people here and the percentage of surfers seems to go up every year. the good thing about this is that some of the biggest and best beach breaks are accessible only by boat or foot. some beaches allow 4x4 with permits but if they catch you with surfboards they revoke the permit! this is something I kinda hate but love at the same time. keeps the crowds to a minimum at the more remote breaks. the surfcasters are usually pretty cool about sharing fishing grounds with surfers but occassionally you get a drunky that opens his mouth and creates a problem.
I recently went north to New Hampshire and Maine for some cold winter surf. what a great trip! shoulder to head high perfection for 3 days straight! check out "The Wall" in NH, great low tide break. I'm hoping that we get a good clean morning tomorrow. I may drop the boat in and head to Fire Island, we will see... if you ever decide to follow a swell up North, drop in and I'll show you a few standout spots.

[Illogikal99]

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=805

Just gutted the ancient wiring in the steplift and added a few little things. its been years since Ive had a working VHF and stereo onboard! you should see the rats nest of wiring I yanked out of this thing.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Looking good! :clap: I really like how high she sits even with a 225 on the flotation bracket. I never thought a flotation bracket would make that much difference. I wonder how my 83 would handle one with a 200? :head:

[Illogikal99]

Looking good! :clap: I really like how high she sits even with a 225 on the flotation bracket. I never thought a flotation bracket would make that much difference. I wonder how my 83 would handle one with a 200? :head:

Thanks, they sell flotation brackets that have even more depth and width. I'd go for one of those to cover all bases. Go for it! I love the way she handles and I've been through all types of boats and setups. used to sell fishing boats for a living back in the day. got the chance to test out lots of hulls. on a side note, I always thought it was hilarious that I sold more boats than most of the other salesmen. I was no BS artist, I'd usually list what I didn't like about the boat first! they would still bite lol...

[bgreene]

yep, that looks about right! Wish it wasn't cold and rainy up here, I'd drop in and get my own action shots lol.

I really like 56 mph !! Fantastic. Wonder if it would run that fast if transom mounted - no bracket.

[Illogikal99]

I really like 56 mph !! Fantastic. Wonder if it would run that fast if transom mounted - no bracket.

Probably pretty close, no matter what its still a 225 backin you up! just make sure your transom can handle it. that much HP will tweak a soft transom past anyones comfort level...

[bradford]

Cool old boat Illogical, This is a cool site for swell forcasts, whether surfing or boating.
www.magicseaweed.com (http://www.magicseaweed.com) :beer:

[Illogikal99]

Cool old boat Illogical, This is a cool site for swell forcasts, whether surfing or boating.
www.magicseaweed.com (http://www.magicseaweed.com) :beer:

yeah man! good site! check out www.swellinfo.com (http://www.swellinfo.com) I usually compare the two sites to get a better idea of whats going on. pretty accurate with wind directions.
thanks

[Illogikal99]

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=810

new bow rail fabricated and installed!http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=811

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=813

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=812

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=814

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=815

psyched its finished!

[tartuffe]

Sweet man! I'm usually not a big fan of bow rails but that is a real nice compromise between necessity and looks, the low-profile looks great.

[Illogikal99]

here is the jig I put together, worked great!

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=816

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=817

[Illogikal99]

Sweet man! I'm usually not a big fan of bow rails but that is a real nice compromise between necessity and looks, the low-profile looks great.

Thanks dude! I wanted to keep it from screwing up the view from the helm. glad its over...

[Illogikal99]

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=825

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=824

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=822

starboard boat seat base, fresh glass

[tartuffe]

Whatcha going to do with your radii? Do you plan to fair it all down before paint?

[Randall220]

Very nice job on your bow rails, and the boat overall. It looks beautiful!

[Illogikal99]

Whatcha going to do with your radii? Do you plan to fair it all down before paint?

its hard to tell from the photos but I rounded all sharp corners and wrapped in glass, no air under the glass in the corners at all. since those pics I have sanded and filled all rough spots. ready for gelcoat, I'll probably roll on a few coats tomorrow after work! worked on the cooler insert today.
its been almost 3 years since I've had seats in the V, looking forward to sitting down and enjoying the ride!

[Illogikal99]

Very nice job on your bow rails, and the boat overall. It looks beautiful!

Thanks! its a neverending project but I like working on the old beastie, she has been an awesome boat.

[tartuffe]

its hard to tell from the photos but I rounded all sharp corners and wrapped in glass, no air under the glass in the corners at all. since those pics I have sanded and filled all rough spots. ready for gelcoat, I'll probably roll on a few coats tomorrow after work! worked on the cooler insert today.
its been almost 3 years since I've had seats in the V, looking forward to sitting down and enjoying the ride!


Awsome! Let us know how the gelcoat works out. I plan to recore some hatches sooner rather than later and was thinking gelcoat underneath.

[SkunkBoat]

its been almost 3 years since I've had seats in the V, looking forward to sitting down and enjoying the ride!

Seats are over-rated:haha: They are proven to lead to more passengers, who want "cushions", and "do we have to leave at dawn everytime?" and "can we go now, isn't 10 hours of standing and fishing enough?"

[Illogikal99]

Seats are over-rated:haha: They are proven to lead to more passengers, who want "cushions", and "do we have to leave at dawn everytime?" and "can we go now, isn't 10 hours of standing and fishing enough?"

Painfully true, this may be a mistake...

[Illogikal99]

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=827Awsome! Let us know how the gelcoat works out. I plan to recore some hatches sooner rather than later and was thinking gelcoat underneath.

gelcoat came out great! gotta finish the cooler seat hatch and the battery hatch. :nice:

[Kracker Jack]

Very nice add on!!!! Looks awesome!

[Destroyer]

Very nice add on!!!! Looks awesome!

X2 :clap:

[Illogikal99]

Very nice add on!!!! Looks awesome!

Thanks KJ and Destroyer! just started glassing the port box today. I'll post more when done

[captpete13]

sweet boat. I love the color. I was thinking about adding something like your boxes to my boat this winter. Looks great! Are you going to be able to make it to the get together in 2 weeks? I would love to see it in person.

[jasoncooperpcola]

I like the seat box. I plan to build two for my V for fishboxes. Did you glass the boxes, then gelcoat over the glass? How much sanding was involved?

[Illogikal99]

I like the seat box. I plan to build two for my V for fishboxes. Did you glass the boxes, then gelcoat over the glass? How much sanding was involved?

yep, glass over wood followed by gelcoat. if you are careful with the glass then sanding can be kept to a minimum. a dremel and palm sander are both handy tools to have for this project. i also used kitty hair and marine bondo to fix any imperfections and strengthen spots that needed it.

[Illogikal99]

I like the seat box. I plan to build two for my V for fishboxes. Did you glass the boxes, then gelcoat over the glass? How much sanding was involved?

i would leave the edges of the glass hanging so after everything cured I could zip off the scrap and sand. also watch for drips, wipe them before they cure or else you will become real friendly with that sander...

[Illogikal99]

sweet boat. I love the color. I was thinking about adding something like your boxes to my boat this winter. Looks great! Are you going to be able to make it to the get together in 2 weeks? I would love to see it in person.

would love to go but I spent all my time and $ on the V and not my crappy, undersize trailer. dunno if i trust my trailer to make the trip, it has seen better days

[jasoncooperpcola]

Thanks Illogikal. I am going to copy your idea and Spares together. I will use the liner out of two old ice chests and foam it insideo a seat box. Is your seat the right hieght? It looks low to me, but i have no idea. I was hoping to be able to make a small leaning post/seat on each seat box,kinda like what Willy put on Fishbones but not as wide.

We have lots of cats around here so kitty hair is no problem. :you:

[Illogikal99]

Thanks Illogikal. I am going to copy your idea and Spares together. I will use the liner out of two old ice chests and foam it insideo a seat box. Is your seat the right hieght? It looks low to me, but i have no idea. I was hoping to be able to make a small leaning post/seat on each seat box,kinda like what Willy put on Fishbones but not as wide.

We have lots of cats around here so kitty hair is no problem. :you:

sounds good. I built the boxes to be just high enough to store the batteries in. 12" high and the seat riser adds enough height for me to sit comfy and still see. the seat is set perfectly to act as a leaning post when standing underway. I took inspiration from bertram, blackfin and grady on the approximate size. the back portion of the box will have a cushioned lid seat to cover the blue cooler insert. its a low seat but still comfy for us vertically challenged. you would have been a fan of the original seat box that came with the boat in 2001, it was about stomach high with a seat in front, cabinet in back and electronics box in between. too bad it was painted wood, I sent it to the curb years ago...

[macojoe]

my drivers side seat is on a slider, makes a perfect leaning post and someone can sit also facing the other way. Or i can drop the seat and cradle myself in it as a leaning post.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/MJ-hide/P0003749.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/MJ-hide/P0003751.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/MJ-hide/P0003750?full=1

[wellcraftv20step]

Now thats a cool seat M J

[Illogikal99]

my drivers side seat is on a slider, makes a perfect leaning post and someone can sit also facing the other way. Or i can drop the seat and cradle myself in it as a leaning post.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/MJ-hide/P0003749.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/MJ-hide/P0003751.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/MJ-hide/P0003750?full=1

Badass...:clap:

[Illogikal99]

Thanks Illogikal. I am going to copy your idea and Spares together. I will use the liner out of two old ice chests and foam it insideo a seat box. Is your seat the right hieght? It looks low to me, but i have no idea. I was hoping to be able to make a small leaning post/seat on each seat box,kinda like what Willy put on Fishbones but not as wide.

We have lots of cats around here so kitty hair is no problem. :you:
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/picture.php?albumid=120&pictureid=830

A few details left to finish up but I'm getting real close! still need seat hatches and battery storage hatches made up. gonna have white pleated vinyl over rear seat hatches.