New and in need of help...

[jamisonhorton]

Hey all,
I know you all have answered these questions hundreds of time but, here it goes. I am looking for a boat, The wellcraft V20 is very interesting to me because I like the look of the boat, it has a vintage real boat look. Not this plastic molded bow rider lake boat. Also I have heard that it is a solid hull. So here are my questions.
Would it make a good lake boat, for fishing, cruising, lake exploring, Etc...
I won't ask the inboard/outboard question.
How much does the boat and trailer weight? Could I tow it with my 2000 Jeep Cherokee
How wide is the boat and trailer?

Thank for you help

[macojoe]

Welcome to the site!!

There are a few here that use there V's on lakes all the time!

They are all used different!! Fishing, cruising, exploring, skiing, Ocean, offshore, they are good for all and more!!

Weight, Boat is about 2300, motor 400, trailer 1000+, gas 60 gal 400# Total 4000+ #

Will you be able to tow with the Jeep, Sure for close runs, but if you have to travel to far I would be thinking something bigger.

This boat has a lot of room and can be configured what ever way you want, for what ever you want to do!!

When Looking look for soft floor hatches, and transoms. All can be fixed and all here has most likely fixed what ever it is you would have to fix, and can walk you threw it.

I am sure others will chine in, and any other questions just ask!! Wellcraft did not make this hull for 25+ years for nothing!!
;)

[reelapeelin]

Beantown, 80% of my boat's use is on Lakes Hartwell or Murray w/ some saltwater in N FL and NC .... one of the great aspects of the V-20 is its versatility ... depending on how you set it up, it can be used for lots of things ... I've got a ski-pylon for mine for the kids in summer; that comes out, put on the rod-holders and bait-tank, and I'm striper-fishin' ...


...if there ever was an "everything boat'', the V-20 is it ;) ...


Does your Jeep have the factory tow-package? ... what motor?... that makes LOTS of difference...how far do you tow?...hills? ....my rig on the scale is 4650 lbs...

[turbinedoctor]

The 84 center console weighs 1920 + 60 gal fuel + motor+ trailer.

This is my first boat and I am glad it is. Have used it for crusing and fishing. Lots of room.

[randlemanboater]

Hey Reel,

I'd like to hear/see the way you did the ski pole and you bait tank. Both of those are things I've been thinking about. Is there a post about them somewhere?

[jamisonhorton]

Thanks for all your replies,

It looks like it would be a great boat for me.

Reelapeelin, I will be using my boat on Hartwell and Murry too. My Jeep has a the straight 6 engine, but I don't think that it has the tow package. Max towing is 5000 I was told. but its is a smaller Jeep. I may need to trade it for a Grand or a Wagoneer. Have you seen any forsale around the Hartwell area? What is the best place to buy a used boat in the SC upstate?

How wide is the V20 and how wide is the trailer. I have a narrow driveway and was wondering if it would even fit?

Thanks for your help.

[THEFERMANATOR]

You CHEROKEE will be fine towing it, just add a good size trans cooler and get the max cool radiator installed as well. This will run you around 250-300 in parts. Also get a quaslity trailer, this will make a night and day difference(good aluminum with brakes). I'm a former JEEP tech(car accident took me out of that trade) and can personally attest that THEY ARE TOUGH!!! I'm currently driving an 88 CHEROKEE myself and my last one was a 97 and before that I had an 88 COMANCHE pickup(notice a theme). I also have a 95 diesel SUB sitting outside, but the JEEP will do 90% of my towing needs. It's only real weakness is the short wheelbase, and around 89 CHRYSLER down-sized the brakes and they weren't the best for stopping.

I've personally towed with the 97 a WELLCRAFT 248 that was outfitted with with a bracket twin 225 EVINRUDE loopers and 200 gallons of fuel onboard. Pulling it wasn't the problem, STOPPING WAS!!! Hence why you really should have trailer brakes. We also towed a PRO-LINE 231 cuddy with it as well, same scenario.

Upgrade your cooling system to take it, if you have alot of miles do the shocks and such and use a good trailer and you'll be fine. But that's just my opinion. As far as the boat goes, I'm still rebuilding my engine.

ON EDIT: I wouldn't trade up to the grand to tow a V-20. The wheelbase is just as short and the only advantage would be the option of a V8 unless you went with the 99+ which finally got larger brakes than the CHEROKEE had(the early body style G.C. used the same basic brakes as the smaller JEEPS). And the old WAGONEERS will eat you alive in fuel costs.

[reelapeelin]

Bean, I'd think (never measured it) trailer is 8.5' wide, could be 9' ...beam on V-20 is 8' and my fenders are a little wider...if ya want to stay w/ Jeep, get the biggest V-8 they offer w/ a tow-package ... I-26 and I-85 have some long grades to pull at speed ...

Here's the ski-pole

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/overtons/detail/pdetail2.cgi?r=detail_view&item_num=18746&fcat=


and here's the bait-tank

http://www.fishing-boating.com/livewellsystems/

Lake Hartwell Fishing & Marine (off exit 14) stocks this tank...you shouldn't need bigger than the 20 gal as they're very efficient and will keep 4-5 doz herring well...


Good luck and let us know how it goes... :D ...


As far as findin' a V-20 in the Upstate, you'd best watch this board and be ready to do a little travelin' ...some good "ready-to-splash" boats and some good "project" boats are here from time to time ... gonna depend on what ya want and what ya gonna spend...I know where's one at Lake Murray, but I don't know what you're lookin' for...

[randlemanboater]

Thanks.

[jamisonhorton]

Wow, Great info. Everyone.

I will let you all know how my search is going, and when I finally get one. I hope to have one by April. Thanks for all of your help.

Bean

[THEFERMANATOR]

Beantown, what year is your CHEROKEE?

[Blue_Runner]

Could I tow it with my 2000 Jeep Cherokee
I have a '96 Grand Cherokee V8 Quadratrac full time 4WD and I tow mine all over. Now, do I wish I had something bigger - DEFINITELY! I can do 65mph fairly comfy, but nothing over that. The problem is the Jeep isn't heavy enough. It has the power, just not the wieght. Some of the others gave some good advice on the straight 6, of which I have no towing experience. ;)

[Seacrets]

I pulled my v20 with a jeep cherekee for quite a few years. The 4.0 inline 6 was rated for 5500 lbs. I installed a reese hitch and a trans cooler and it did great with the stock radiator. I realize I pulled in Florida with no hills, however it gets plenty hot here. Both my V20's I've owned had no brakes on the trailer and dual axles. It did very well at the ramp with only two wheel drive. When I would go to the keys it was over 500 miles round trip.

[msbhammer]

I have a 2003 Ford Exscape and it pulls my V just fine. ;)

[THEFERMANATOR]

*I installed a reese hitch and a trans cooler and it did great with the stock radiator.
The stock radiator works well in most applications, but I can attest that if you run them REALLY HARD it is nice to have the 3 row copper/brass or the 1 row aluminum. The stock 2 row copper/brass radiator would let the engine temps get up to around 230 in the Key West heat in traffic with the air on with a 20 footer in tow. 230 is safe, but 235 is borderline for the 2-3 head gasket sealing area. $135 is cheap insurance to me.

But then again I don't keep any of my JEEPS stock, they all get some tweaking or another. If you want to learn some easy power mods for the I6 shoot me a PM.

[jamisonhorton]

Hey all,

My Jeep is a 2000, and it is the normal cherokee not the grand cherokee.

THEFERMANATOR, I would love to here some mod's I plan on beefing it up anyway.

I am not so worried about the around the town Driving for with a v20 in tow. The lake is very close to my house. The problem is that the only v20's I can find are over 8 hours away. New Jersy, Florida, Etc... That might be a long first trip with a smaller cherokee.

Thanks again

[reelapeelin]

Bean...are you lookin' for a V-20 to fix-up or for one ready to go? ...I know one at Murray and one at Hartwell, both for sale...both need some work ...

[randlemanboater]

What year/model are those Reel?

[jamisonhorton]

When you say work, what do you mean? I am very handy, but I don't want to tackle a new transom and new engine rebuild. Let know if you have any information on these boats. If I get one now I could work on it this winter and maybe have it ready of summer.

Thanks

[reelapeelin]

The one at Murray is '79 w/ a 200 Merc


one at Hartwell is '88 w/ 200hp Evinrude Sea-Drive


Both are cuddies, used regularly, but would need SOME various items taken care of...


I just remembered one I saw last summer at coast, too

Let me know if you want to persue...

[jamisonhorton]

Hey Reel,

I am interested, If you remember were you saw the one at Hartwell. I can go and see if I could find it. Do you remember how much work was needed. Or anyother details. Prices? What is a sea drive? Anything you can remember would be great.

Thanks

[reelapeelin]

Bean, let me E-Mail this guy to see if this boat is still available...I'll post here when I hear back from him...


Sea-Drive has a full transom(good) w/ a fixed factory bracket w/"outboard" (good/not so good, it depends)...I drove this one and THINK it to be in pretty good shape...

[reelapeelin]

Bean, I sent E-Mail to this guy yesterday and haven't gotten anything back... keep checkin' here though... :D ...

[jamisonhorton]

Will do...

[reelapeelin]

Still no reply and I got no phone # for him ... if ya wanna look at the one at Murray, I got his # ...

[jamisonhorton]

Hey Reel,

I think I will just keep looking around here and keep my eyes open. I still have some time before the summer. Thanks for you help.

Bean

[reelapeelin]

Hey Bean...I hear ya on time before Summer, but prior to "boating season" ya might get a little better deal on your purchase ;) ...anyway, let me know if I can do anything for ya!!... :D ...

[randlemanboater]

BEAN,

Have you seen Blue Runners?

It doesnt have a motor but is really close to being ready to go otherwise.

[bigshrimpin]

Hey all,
I know you all have answered these questions hundreds of time but, here it goes. I am looking for a boat, The wellcraft V20 is very interesting to me because I like the look of the boat, it has a vintage real boat look. Not this plastic molded bow rider lake boat. Also I have heard that it is a solid hull. So here are my questions.
Would it make a good lake boat, for fishing, cruising, lake exploring, Etc...
I won't ask the inboard/outboard question.
How much does the boat and trailer weight? Could I tow it with my 2000 Jeep Cherokee
How wide is the boat and trailer?

Thank for you help

You'll have no problem going forward . . . it stopping that's the hard part. Make sure you have trailer brakes . . . I tow with a 1992 Jeep Comanche 4.0L . . . I put on a set of helper springs recently and it has made a HUGE difference.

http://www.hellwigproducts.com/products/helpersprings/loadproseries/default.asp


If you go pickup a boat 8hours away . . . make sure you replace or check and grease the wheel bearings. Bring some new wheels and tires too.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Here's a shot of me doing some good old fashion CHEROKEE towing. Tongue weight can be an issue with these things though(espescially when the engine and outdrive are out of the boat).
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t271/THEFERMANATOR/SEARAY/CHEROKEEtowing2.jpg

[harbour880]

Reelapeelin:

I'm located in Charleston, SC and am looking for @ V20 Cuddy as a project boat.

Any leads in SC?????

Thanks,
Chris

[tsubaki]

How far you willing to go? Last week there were two in the Savannah area :)
Well I just looked, one was a 248 Ocean and the other one is not listed anymore. Just for the meaness of it I will post if I see one.
Just in case your as impatient as me.
http://www.tell-n-sell.com/

[reelapeelin]

Reelapeelin:

I'm located in Charleston, SC and am looking for @ V20 Cuddy as a project boat.

Any leads in SC?????

Thanks,
Chris



880...I'd tell ya to keep a close watch on the For Sale Section of this site...we've had some very nice "Vs" through here lately as well as some requiring work...be considering what you want...OB vs I/O...Cuddy vs center console vs Dual Console...Charleston is a great place to be lookin' for "Vs"...I've spotted several down there...do you look in the classifieds in the paper?...

Take yer time and don't ''fall in love'' w/ anything until AFTER ya buy it ;) ...

...and it'll never hurt to initiate yer own search on E-Bay and Craig's List...Google "Boats For Sale" and narrow the search to a "V"...

Good luck and when ya find a candidate, post 'er here and we'll help ya out all we can... ;) ...

[harbour880]

Reelapeelin I have been checking this site for a while. It has a wealth of info. I think I missed out on the Scorpion in NC that sold for $1100.00 on ebay, but I have time on my side.

tsubaki Savannah is plenty close enough. My brother lives in Richmond Hills.

Thaks guys,
Chris

[spareparts]

harbour, go see Duke over on John's Island( turn on Signal Point off of Folly) don't stop at the first two baot shops(long story), Dukes is in the back, he used to have a couple of them. There was a nice V with a Yamaha on Craigs list, its not cheap but it looked real nice. There are plenty of them around just sitting, I ususally run across one or two a week, give me a shout if you need one looked at

[spareparts]

allmost forgot, ther's a V20 center console up at P&P in Monks Corner(right off 52 before Monks COrner on the left), its been there a while, boat has "Talley Ho" written on the side in big letters, Phil can be a little dificult to deal with sometimes, and he's usually only there thursday and friday afternoon, last time i asked he wanted $5000 for it( thats a little high), he said its a friends boat and he doesn't need the money, blah, blah , blah same story. If you go up there, take good beer, Phil usually drinks cheap stuff

[harbour880]

spareparts:

Small world I went by Duke's Friday. Only V20 I saw was parked right at his gate. Boy it was rough. I am looking for a project just not that large of one. Please share all leads on V20s. Cell number is 270-5398.

Thanks,
Chris

[spareparts]

you looking for a cuddy or center? Duke had a deal on an 18 center. O/B or I/O? Saw on being towed today downtown on my way to the boat show, keep looking around Johns Island, I've found some good deals sitting in peoples back yards

[spareparts]

just thought of another one, turn out of the circle like your going to Hobcaw subdivision in Mt P. right before you get to the "nicer homes" there is a trailer on the right, he's got a V that hasn't moved in a while(slightly hidden by the trees) its got a v6 johnrude on the back, don't know if its for sale, but he's got at least three other boats in the yard

[tsubaki]

harbour880 here's something
No pics
20” WELLCRAFT V 120 87, OB 91 Johnson, new fuel tank, buyer needs trailer, runs ex., marina kept, $3,700 firm. Call 912- 441-1750 Savannah
http://www.tell-n-sell.com/current%20issue%20of%20the%20week/Boats.htm

20’ WELLCRAFT 87, 150 Johnson, $2500. Call 912-441-1750