So tell me about the V-20 Cuddy ?

[bgreene]

Seriously - I have a Mako CC, and like it very much.

I've always appreciated what I consider the classic look of this Wellcraft, and the nice roomy stern area for fishing and even using extra chairs.

I'd like some general info: including " best " years, any inherent weakness such as transom or other, what year did Wellcraft discontinue ( can't figure why ), and ride characteristics.

Appreciate feedback. Regards

[msbhammer]

78 is a good year. I just redid te transom. Sell it to ya for a good deal. *;)

[tsubaki]

Welcome to the site (Jesus over 2 years to post?)
Don't understand why people move on to other boats after having had a v20.
Every person that asks about the boats I have, when we get around to the V, the response is always "great hull, smooth rideing, better in rough water than any other boat I've been in that size, etc,etc.
One thing about it the Step Lift will allow you to get away with a little less hp than any boat that size.
Room? Built in coolers in mine, just about can have a dance in the stern area!
(Post where your located with profile)

[Airslot]

Different years have different strong points, but they generally got better as they got newer.

Things like positive flotation and under deck tanks became standard about 1978. The decks got a bit higher over the years and after about 82' seem to self bail a hair better. The V-20 was produced about 1970 until 1994 at which time it became the V-21 with an integral bracket, and even higher decks. The decks on the V-21 are higher / drier, but at the expense of reduced freeboard.

As with all boats from the 70's & 80's, the transom's will go over time pending care from earlier owners. The more holes and poorer they are sealed, the sooner the rot sets in.

As for best years, your gonna start a battle here, but I'll stick my neck out and say that from 1980-1994 were the best years for the V-20 Cuddy. They carry themselves well with 150-175 HP being optimal but perform satisfactory for some with as little as 115, and even one member here is happy with his 90 Merc.

Any more specific questions, ask away and we'll be glad to help..........and we love pictures on this site.


'Slot

[parishht]

I have a 78 cuddy and I will not give it up.

I like the cuddy becasue of teh storage area,
when anchored, wife and friends can sunbath on top
of the cuddy, while me and my friends can fish off the back.
I have a porta potty in my cuddy for emergencies and there is plenty of room and privacy.

Ride wise, I love the way it corners and cuts through
waves and wakes.

[Airslot]

I suppose I should add that I have an 87' Cuddy with an 88' Merc 150. Love it to death, even if it is just parked on the trailer. >:(

Can somebody say "Trialer Queen" ;D

[macojoe]

75 Cuddy here, Great boat nice storage area, Been comercial fishing in it for 9 years and it has pleanty of room!
Takes a licking and keeps on ticking! ;D

Mine is for sale, I just bought a 23 footer to fish further off shore. Everything solid and at a great price!

Look for sale section under MJ's boat for sale.

[nipper]

I have a 1991 V20 cuddy. I think cuddy is a bit of a misnomer because, although Wellcraft advertises it as capable of sleeping 2, it would be quite cramped even for non-claustrophobic folks. The cuddy does provide, however, a great storage area, and is a good spot for folks with young kids to put the youngsters down for a nap. Ride is great with this boat. It is easy to clean up with the self-bailing decks and no slip fiberglass floor. I use my V20 more as a general all around family boat. It does a great job pulling skiers. The dry ride is a real plus when you want to go out on a cool day just to ride around and do sightseeing stuff.

I inherited my V20 from my Dad after he passed. I liked it so much that even though I already had a 20' Formula cuddy (with a much bigger cabin) that I have kept them both, and even went to the expense of installing a brand new 4.3 litre mercruiser when the old one failed. I am so impressed that there are folks here on the site with V's built in the 70's that love them and are still using them. How many other brands of boats built in the 70's are still out there being used like the V's!

[Mulv80]

BG, I recognize your name from the barn, Welcome.

The V-20 was discontinued in 1996 as a V-21 model that shared the same hull as the original with a few improvements in the liner and the addition of a built in bracket. The V-21's are hard to come by and usually demand a premium price when they do.

As far as the best years for the V-20, I would say 82' on. It seems that those years for the most part have 25 inch transoms and all should have 60 gallon tanks after 78'.

As far as transoms the V-20 is no different than any other boat of the same vintage. I have a 79' and the transom is solid, others have done transoms on much newer boats, so no guarantees on the transom.

The ride is overrated. In a short Delaware Bay chop the V-20 will shake your fillings loose. The center console rides better than the cuddy. Even though she can beat you up in a short chop, she will get you home in almost anything due to that big V and wide flare. Trade offs between ride and stability drifting. In my opinion the V-20 is exceptionally stable at drift.

All in all the V-20 does it all. Has more cockpit space than any other 20 footer. Can be powered with a 150 with good performance and economy. Light enough to trailer and handle with one person and last but not least. The best forum online for all V-20 related questions ;D

[msbhammer]

I agree with Mulv. We do have the best Forum. 8)

[macojoe]

Mulv said it all!

[TunaHead]

BG,
I've had my V20 since March but have only recently had it out (Looong story). Tomorrow I am towing it 4 hours south of my place in Northern CA and expect to take 4 guys SCUBA diving comfortably. I fish and dive avidly and as Mulv said, the V20 does it all.

[randlemanboater2]

I have a 1991 V20 cuddy. *I think cuddy is a bit of a misnomer because, although Wellcraft advertises it as capable of sleeping 2, it would be quite cramped even for non-claustrophobic folks. *


Wut u talkin bout Willis?

Mine sleeps 3 comfortably.

I love my V-20 Cuddy!

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r222/randlemanboater/101_0085-2.jpg

[mauryc]

bgreene,

Let me chime in here. There were three styles of the V-20 produced: cuddy cabin (most popular), center console and dual console. You need to figure out which stule fits your needs. I've owned a cuddy and a dual console and have fished out of a center console many times. All three have their advantages. From the lake pulling a tube or skier to offshore for snapper and tuna (done that many times), the V-20 is very versitle. Not a "deep V" boat, so she hammers the rough seas a little, BUT TALK ABOUT A DRY RIDE. THat carolina flair is what its all about. Not as sexy as a Seacraft, but more stable and functional. As others have said, production ran for over 25 years on the same molds. That ought to tell you something. Newer models had more fuel capacity, older models only had 18 gal saddle tanks which isn't nearly enough. Look at a 75' model then look at an 85' model. You'll see the deck is much thicker on the newer model. They raised the deck to fit a belly tank. A few tweaks here or there, but they pretty much stayed the same until the V-21 (bracket) came out in 94'-95'

I love my dually (88') and miss my old cuddy (75')!

[reelapeelin]

Havin' a V20 Cuddy is like havin' a pick-up truck, only w/a bow up front and a prop in the back ;D ...all the open space makes it as versatile as you want it to be...TunaHead and Hammer dive from theirs; divin' equipment takes LOTS of room...and I regularly convert mine from a recreationaltow-boat(wake-boards,skis & tubes) to an extremely capable striper-fishin' MACHEEN ... it's a "Whatever ya want it to be" boat that just happens to be about the most sea-worthy 20' boat out there ;) ... but I don't wanna overspeak ::) ...

[Hammerhead]

I love mine. The fact it's 30 years old and was dirt cheap is even better. My fishing buds with their 60K+ offshore sportsfishermans HATE seeing me out there...heheh.
Even worse they hate coming with me and not getting soaked or not having to fork over 200 bucks to help pay for fuel...like they always ask for from me.
The cuddy is just the right size to toss everything ya need for a days outting in. It handles a rough sea well, will puttputt in as little as 2ft for inshore flats fishing AND can be trailered and parked almost anywhere.

Buy it.