Years of the steplift

[steplift20]

When was the first wellcraft steplift made and the year the last one made 1972 to 1995 ? Does any one know the years, I'm just guessing

[Pipe_Dream]

I'm not sure about those dates, but the best one was built in 1983.

[Destroyer]

Well, technically the V21 Sreplift is not a V20 because of the added transom blister for mounting the engine. That run ended in 1996. But with the exception of the blister, that's the last true V20 hull design

[charlie_the_tuna]

i think they started in the late 60s. 67? 68?

[macojoe]

Early 60'2 was the Alim, that was the name before wellcraft started making them. They were going till 96. Then they reintroduced them in a new design I think was 2004?? But they sucked were nothing like the oringal and were gone before most even knew they were back.

[bradford]

1969 as the Wellcraft Triumph Vee, 1970 as the V20 Step Lift after acquiring the rights to the hull design and Dick Genth taking the helm at Wellcraft and arguably making it the huge powerhouse builder that it was in the 70's and into the early 80's. Other companies made the same hull without patent rights. Alim being one as MJ mentioned. Alim was sued by Richard Bertram and I believe C.Ray Hunt also for patent infringement. A company called Vega which was a spin off from Alim made the same hull named the "Sportsman". I own a 1977 Chaparral 21 which is almost a dead ringer for a V20 hull except for an additional lifting strake.

[steplift20]

So it was from 1970 to 1996 is that the right years as the steplift v20 I'm sure other company's made the same hull but the original is the wellcraft so it's 70 to 96 is that the answer?

[steplift20]

Pipe dream I did extensive research and sorry to tell you that the 83 was not the best it was and still is the 78 model ( which I happen to own )

[bradford]

78's actually are pretty cool year models. Wider splash well for twins, turned down bow rail, different gauge cluster, and the first year for the raised cap.

I believe self bailing that year as well.

[akscooter]

My Alim marine v18 steplift wade made in 1963!

[steplift20]

Why would they stop making the 20 v in 1996 that was a huge mistake if you ask my They should still make them what I would do is add storage compartments and that's all, I would love to see a 25 foot step lift made, that would be awsome Imagine a 20 but five feet longer Cooooool

[THEFERMANATOR]

They made a v23 for a short run, it basically flopped. Allmand made a 25 that was real close to a v20 design, but the added length with the narrow beam gave it a rolling reputation. The origanal v20 wasnt a v20, but was made by alim in the early 60s as said earlier in the thread. Wellcraft picked it up and called it the v20. Dusky still makes the same basic hull, as well as a 23 foot version with a wider beam.

[wellcraftv20step]

Here's something interesting, mine was an 89 And it had a patch just below the v20 patch that read (anniversary edition) so take it from their!!!

[captaingene]

Does anyone have pictures of 83 and 78 hull

I am just curious at the difference .

thanks

[jvitiel]

Here's something interesting, mine was an 89 And it had a patch just below the v20 patch that read (anniversary edition) so take it from their!!!

Agreed. I just bought my first V20 (love it) - it's an '89 and has the 20th anniversary sticker too..

[macojoe]

captaingene
pictures
Does anyone have pictures of 83 and 78 hull

I am just curious at the difference .

thanks

in the gallery
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/history

[Destroyer]

They made a v23 for a short run, it basically flopped. Allmand made a 25 that was real close to a v20 design, but the added length with the narrow beam gave it a rolling reputation.

I had a John Allmand 25 footer with an OMC I/O powered by a GMC350ci engine. It was like a torpedo.. long and fast. But as THEFERMANATOR said, it rolled horribly when it wasn't moving. Not enough to be dangerous, just enough to be uncomfortable. But it had the same general sort of deck as a V20, and the hull had lifting strakes and a wide flared bow just like a V20's. All in all it was a well build boat. Heavy, dependable, strong.

[bgreene]

I have a 1996 V21 ......... last of the Mohicans..