Would you trade up?

[BillTex]

If you already owned a clean 87 with 150 hp OB and had the opportunity to purchase a clean 94 with 150 hp OB-would you?

For discussion let's assume the condition of all the other components is equal. The only difference being the 87 hull vs 94.

Thx, Bill

[BillTex]

This boat I am looking at has a couple of curious changes. Were these options...or did somebody "mod"? Current owner does not know complete history.
1) Bow rail has been shortened/split.
2) Port helm seat grab rail is "missing"?

[BillTex]

Bump...

[phatdaddy]

not much to say, all things equal, both about the same boat. i'd rather have a good 87 than a friday afternoon built 94, both have the good and bad in a 20 plus year old mid grade production boat.

but ALL things equal, i'd take the 94. as far as the rails, just whatever wellcraft had on the shelf that day. those actually look like the ones off of a dual console.

[bgreene]

I own 96' V21 and can advise......scupper system with floor raised as Wellcraft did great for keeping dry.
Since floor raised, a bit less freeboard.
Other than that.........if both in similar condition, I don't believe enough reasons to switch, unless you just want the newer boat.

[BillTex]

One of the big ticket items (for me) on the 94 is the fish boxes that drain over. It's a pia not having fish boxes and trying to do everything with coolers.

The (full) transom of the 94 is nice for off shore also...

As far as the bow rail; the dual console rails turn down at the split. This boat they terminate at a junction fitting. It's well done/neat...but I think someone probably modded this...?

Bgreene...haven't you had a V 20 and v 21 (I may be mistaken)...

Thx, Bill

[bgreene]

I have a 96' V21 ....still own.

Bow rails in the picture are not the factory original. Doesn't matter if done properly.

The key to all these older boats built with lots of wood is water intrusion and associated rot. If you know where to look........and what to look for you'll be ok with either boat.

If you don't know - I'll forward a list.

[BillTex]

I have a 96' V21 ....still own.

Bow rails in the picture are not the factory original. Doesn't matter if done properly.

The key to all these older boats built with lots of wood is water intrusion and associated rot. If you know where to look........and what to look for you'll be ok with either boat.

If you don't know - I'll forward a list.

Thanks bg...have owned many a boat...and the V 20 is 20 yards away from me right now.
Having said that, I would certainly accept your offer...always something to learn.
Thanks!

[phatdaddy]

My bad, i didn't realize you were comparing 20 vs 21.

[steplift20]

You have a nice 87 I would keep her after all she is your boat I have a 78 and would not trade her She is mine and the other woman in my life

[BillTex]

My bad, i didn't realize you were comparing 20 vs 21.

Does that change your opinion? If so...how?

Thx, Bill

[phatdaddy]

never rode in one, so not qualified to compare. i think the deck is about 9 inches longer, cabin about the same. i do like the closed transom, but the "bracket" kinda looks cobbled on to me. i'd rather have a seadrive model with a bracket and a fresh motor.

destroyer would be a better source, he has one of each.

like said, all of these hulls have wood in them and that is the weak spot.

[bradford]

I say stick with the devil you know.

[Destroyer]

I have a V20 and a V21. They are both nice boats. Both have 200HP outboards on them. I like the identical ride in both of them. But I think the V21, with it's bubble transom, built in fish boxes and wash down system is a nicer boat.

[BillTex]

Hey! Destroyer finally showed up! Thanks for feedback...not too many have been fortunate to own both.

Lots of interesting opinions on this thread.

Did you add the wash down system?

Bill

[BillTex]

Well this "poll" didn't turn out as I thought. I expected most folks to "vote" for the newer hull....seems like that is not the case?!

So what does this mean?

1) We are attached to our boats
Or
2) There is not much to be gained moving from a V 20 to V 21. (Hull design has never changed over 20 yrs...)

Decisions, decisions...

Bill

[phatdaddy]

You left out some mitigating factors. Cost being a big one. Assuming motors are the same, trailers the same, electronics equal, water intrusion minimal in both, and you can do it for less than 2 grand. I'd probably say do it. But im guessing you still have to selll your rig, so thats an unknown.

At the end of the day, you still have a 20 ft boat, no matter which one end up with

[BillTex]

You left out some mitigating factors. Cost being a big one. Assuming motors are the same, trailers the same, electronics equal, water intrusion minimal in both, and you can do it for less than 2 grand. I'd probably say do it. But im guessing you still have to selll your rig, so thats an unknown.

At the end of the day, you still have a 20 ft boat, no matter which one end up with

True-I should include the economics associated with this. Some "fuzzy" math involved.

If I compare purchase price of the V 21 (offer has already been accepted) and what I am fairly confident I could sell my V 20 for (knowing the condition and market in my area), I expect it would pretty much be a wash.

The fuzzy math comes in; I have put ~ $2k in to my boat this year fixing/upgrading various things. I don't know what would need to be done to the V 21 (it "looks" clean...but who knows what you find after you run it for a while).
So you could consider money I recently spent fixing/upgrading as cost of ownership...and that would be expected on the new boat as well.
However, there is a certain amount of comfort knowing the true condition and what has already been done to my current boat.

As far as trailer/electronics; I would plan to swap/exchange the better trailer and electronics.

As someone else said above; better the devil you know?!

[BillTex]

Hey destroyer (Paul)...please check your PM's.

Thx, Bill

[Destroyer]

Hey destroyer (Paul)...please check your PM's.

Thx, Bill

Read my PM's. Sorry, just been extremely busy this last week. I'll call you sometime this weekend.

No I didn't add the washdown system. it's OE on the V21, as are the fishbox and the live well under the seats.

[BillTex]

Read my PM's. Sorry, just been extremely busy this last week. I'll call you sometime this weekend.

No I didn't add the washdown system. it's OE on the V21, as are the fishbox and the live well under the seats.

Hi Paul, any chance we can chat today?

Clock is ticking w/seller.

Shoot me a text and let me know what time please; 401-410-4908.

Tx again, Bill

[Destroyer]

Hi Paul, any chance we can chat today?

Clock is ticking w/seller.

Shoot me a text and let me know what time please; 401-410-4908.

Tx again, Bill

Good talking to you today Bill. Enjoyed it. :)

[BillTex]

My pleasure! Appreciate the words of wisdom...

[reelapeelin]

I wasn't overly impressed with the 21 I had for a year or so...the '87 I have now is exactly what I want in a V20...:sun:

[BillTex]

I wasn't overly impressed with the 21 I had for a year or so...the '87 I have now is exactly what I want in a V20...:sun:
Tell me more!?
Reel appeel in...we need to talk too...see number above...please call If u can...I need to make a decision!

Thx, b

[inaforty]

One thing to think about about is the newer models will more then likely have a poly gas tank and older models will more then likely have aluminum tanks.

[SkunkBoat]

get the V21.

[BillTex]

For those of you that have been following my recent V 21 “experience” I am posting a follow-up. First of all I would like to thank all those who contributed to this thread and especially those who took time out of their day to give me a call and offer advice/experience. It is clear to me we are all of the same breed (buy the boat if you want it)!!! Oh well…God Bless America.

This could get long…stay tuned if you are interested.
To recap, I was not “looking” for a new boat. Quite happy with our 87 V 20 which we purchased very clean last year and I have put quite a bit of work and $ into it to improve further and fit our needs (Family fishing machine). But… while cruising around the Lake Winnipesaukee area of NH (3-4 hrs North of us) on the way to Boy Scout Camp 2 weeks ago I came across a very clean V 21 fresh water boat for sale on the side of the road. Well…being a boat Guy…it was my duty to stop and look. This was a nice clean boat, with an engine a bit older than ours, but overall I would say both packages are in comparable condition. So I made an offer, which the Gentleman accepted. After the week at Scout camp I started to do some research and ask some questions, as the boat is 3-4 hrs away, it was not easy to do a thorough investigation.
So I went back/forth for a bit…seeking advice from all of you, and generally deciding if this was a wise move. (I was fortunate enough to speak on the phone with several Folks here…all who said “YOLO go for it”!

The problem was I had been caught by surprise…we really enjoy our 87 and I have run it enough now to know it pretty well. In the back of my mind I assumed our next boat would be back in the 25’ range…not another Steplift!

So, after all this contemplation, I was prepared to head back North on Sunday, sea trail (lake trial?) the boat and tow it home if all checked out. The plan would have been to swap trailers/electronics, etc to put together the best/newest parts from both boats. As many of you commented, I really couldn’t lose as the $ involved would have been a wash whether we kept the 87 or the 94. This was not a financial decision…more a question of my time and how much work I wanted to do in the next few weeks to turn all this around.
Well late Saturday night the seller contacts me and says he has accepted a full price offer. So he made up my mind for me, saved me a 4 hr drive, and I got to go fishing Sunday instead!

Thanks again to All of you…this is a great bunch of like-minded Folks on this forum!
Bill

[phatdaddy]

Karma wins again. Maybe contact seller again and have him tell new owner about site, you can keep up with it that way.

Naw, maybe not, kinda like keeping up with an old girl friend.

[bradford]

Naw, maybe not, kinda like keeping up with an old girl friend.


A wise man told me once "You don't re chew your old bubble gum".

[Dr. Hook]

I own 96' V21 and can advise......scupper system with floor raised as Wellcraft did great for keeping dry.
Since floor raised, a bit less freeboard.
Other than that.........if both in similar condition, I don't believe enough reasons to switch, unless you just want the newer boat.

What year did they raise the floor in these boats, and how much higher did they put it?

[BillTex]

What year did they raise the floor in these boats, and how much higher did they put it?
85?
Same year they put 2nd floor...so they raised it 8' or 10'?