Need help ~Thinking about an 1987

[eondub]

I am thinking about buying an 87 v20 (20.6' I think) with an omc seadrive. the current owner thinks it's a 1.8L but is not sure.
I am a bit concerned about the motor, should I be.
do they still make parts? is it a good motor? (it sounds good). what are the common problems, ( he is mixing the oil seperatly) boat itself seams in top condition.

I love the shape, size is perfect, full transon, and comes on a new-ish magic tilt. I expect that will be fine to trailer with my 99 explorer ( 5.0L v8 ).
I will be using it to fish & dive in the gulf, and don't want the motor to give up when I am far offshore.

Any thoughts. ? This will be my first boat so I am a bit in the dark here!!!

[garbubba]

I run an 87 cuddy cabin. It's a great hull in the gulf, driest 20 footer I've ever seen.

I don't know what the engine you are refering to is, help me out, is it an outboard? Then what HP, 1.8 liters is a small engine I would think, my 200hp mercury is 2.5 liters.

The boat originally came with a 140 omc on it, that would push it OK but I'm used to a lot more power.

A good solid V20 hull is not easy to find so if the price is right just start putting away some $$ for a new engine, I'm looking at a Yamaha 150.

The boat does hava a few flaws, when you put your dive gear in the boat & a few buddies you'll find the stern awash from water coming in the scuppers. Down here in the warm it doesn't much bother me. It is heavy too, but your truck should pul it fine.

Let us know what you decide.

Doug

[eondub]

Yes the engine is am outboard attached to a full transom. all it says is OMC seadrive. there is no indication of HP.
Thanks for your response

[macojoe]

When the seadrive goes you will have to repower with a new or used outboard (your choice) with a gill bracket. It is easy to mount a bracket and you will love the full transom!!
I have the 75 V20 Cuddy and it was a I/O when i first bought it 6 years ago. The I/O always gave me crap!! I finaly said the heck with it and removed all!! I installed a Stainless Marine Alum. Bracket with swim platform, and added a 175 Yamaha and I am glad I did!!
Yours will be smiple to co with the seadrive!! You will just have to fill the holes from the seadrive bracket and install the new bracket.
Garbbuba, a seadrive is a re4gular OMC engin with its own gill bracket of sorts. You can't buy them anymore and parts are hard if you can find them at all. But real easy to convert.

[chumbucket]

The SeaDrives were a good concept when they first came out. Then the introduction of the outboard brackets for universal mounting came along and were the demise of the SeaDrive. I thought they were 1.6 liter on the smaller ones but could be wrong. I thought i was wrong once before but was mistaken. ;D They make about 115 Hp. The heart of this motor is essentially Johnson/Evinrude and isn't much of a problem to buy parts for and keep running. The questionable part of the package comes with the mounting bracket which incorporates it's own tilt/trim system. Anything to do with those components (ie; pump, cylinders, hoses, etc.) are no longer available. One might get real lucky and come across some parts, but not too likely.
IMO, this would not scare me away from buying the boat for the right price. Because, as MJ said, you get a full transom boat that is very easy to repower later on with a bracket. Minimal work involved since all the hoses and controls are already routed through the upper part of the transom.
Use the fact that it has a SeaDrive as a bargaining factor to push the price down. The owner must surely realize these things about that motor so I would think you could come to a happy agreement. Then, if all went well and you bought it, I would run the motor until it died. In the interim, save your pennies for a future repower. I also feel that 115 Hp is very minimal for a V20, so you're going to want to go bigger someday anyways.
Your Explorer would have no trouble at all towing that boat.
Best of luck whatever you decide. 8)

[garbubba]

Thanks guys, now that you mention that, I remember seeing a couple of these. *Still, 1.8 litres sounds awful small doesn't it?

BTW eodub, it is 20'6" , where on the gulf are you? I'm in Mississippi, just outside of New Orleans.

Doug

[macojoe]

I have a buddy that lives in Gulfport, Miss. He has been wanting me to vist there for a long time now!! I might try to next year??
How is the fishing down that way?? My friend is not much of a fisherman

[garbubba]

Snapper season opened yesterday here! It's been blowing here though so no offshore for the next few days.

This is a great place to fish, lots of marshes & bayous, barrier islands & tons of wrecks & rigs offshore.

Now if I just had more time....

Doug