General opinions for V20

[norsechild76]

I'm in the process of selling my center console and purchasing a boat with a cabin. The V20 cuddy caught my eye. I'm stuck though, It appears to be a good fishing platform, does anyone use theirs as an all around family boat, ie fishing, tubing, skiing...even camping? I'm currently in South Florida and used to boating the ICW and Atlantic coast...my wife and I are moving and will be boating Lake Kerr in NC and some of the smaller lakes, maybe the NC coast during striper season. I think that the v20 is a bit small to be taking offshore for that neck of the woods, though I will miss the dolphin. Are there any years I should avoid? I'm looking to buy an I/O with enough power for the above mentioned activities.

Thanks.

[Airslot]

IMO the V-20 is perfect for your planned activities. *It's the SUV of boats if you would. *As for the ocean part, its a very capable boat. *My family doesn't enjoy (yet) the ocean in the V-20. * I will fish it offshore in winds under 15. *There are a few of us on here who do the ocean striper gig. *I fish the MD/VA coast year round. *BlueRunner take his to OI a few times during the striper run, so yes, the boat will do that as well.

There will be times when you wish for 3 more feet, but I think that is true of any house, car, boat when the family is involved. ;D

I'd start my search for mid 80's and newer just because of the self bailing issue. *I won't go into the I/o vs OB thing.

Good luck, welcome to the site, and get a digi cam 'cause these guys love pics. ;D

Airslot

[norsechild76]

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, the I/O vs OB argument has been hammered out in about every boat forum on the net. I'm not set on either one...however I do like the 1.4L Merc diesel and my plan would be to eventually find one to rebuild and put in the boat and regear the drive. Of course if I find one with a nice four-stroke on the transom, I'd probably go for it. Thanks again for your reply.

[Airslot]

We have a couple forum members who operate in the area you are moving to. They'll happen along here in the next day or so...

Airslot

[macojoe]

Welcome to the site!!

I live on Cape Cod and run a 1975 cuddy, The V20 can do most of all you have said!

I have had my boat 30 miles out cod fishing and i is great! Of coarse saying that it had to be a nice day!
I say its a great boat for up to 5 miles on a regular basic.

The boat is a great platform for fishing or what have ya! But if your getting in some ruff or choppy water, you will want to slow her down and run with the water. She will get you home and she will be like a rock, but it will be a slow go of it.

I have pretty much raised my family on this boat and we have done 90% fishing and the rest tubing and stuff.

As far as power goes, I hate I/O but thats another subject!!
My boat came to me as a I/O and I used it that way for 3 seasons. I had the 165 hp straight 6cyl, and it just doesn't have the power!!
Unless you can find a good one with a nice 350 in it (not many)I would look for a outboard, this way you can add the power you need for the tubing and skiing.

And like Air says Look for something late 80's to the 90's They also make a V21 in the 90's thats just a hair larger that might be better for you? what makes it a 21 is that they have made a intergraded bracket to move the motor away from the boat.

Good Luck! There are lots and lots for sale!! Take you time and look for a good one!

[Hammerhead]

NorseC, The V-20 Cuddy is a great boat for the family. Plenty of room for all kinds of stuff in the cabin. The windshied will keep the weather off ya. Mine is an I/O. It runs good and has plenty of power. Head up to Stuart sometime and I'll take ya for a sea trial.

[rb437]

I know I'm in the minority here because I don't fish but that does not make the V20 any less of a great boat for me. I have used this boat for everything but fishing. for the size you can't beat the ride. As for camping, I have 2 pedastal seats up front and this leaves enough open deck space for a queen size air matress. Combine this with the grill mounted to the bow rail, a porta potty in the cabin, full canvas if the weather reqires, and your ready to camp! Forget sleeping in the cabin. I'm 5'8" and that's taller than the length of the cabin.

[msbhammer]

Get up with Coburn, he has an I/O and it has the bigger motor with all the factory options. He is forced to sell because he is moving. Its a nice boat for a great price.

[macojoe]

Here you go, maybe we can keep it in the family!

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=for_sale;action=display;num=1168432 155

[charlie_the_tuna]

i have an i/o 350/260. it flies. the cuddy is a bit small if you plan to tie down for the night but the will take just about anything you can throw at her. 15 miles offshore no problen but the gas will be a factor. they can be had for a good price and are readily available. that said, you really cant go wrong with a v20.

[turbinedoctor]

I have an 84 center console, I have thoght about a cuddy, but I like the openness of the console. I had 4 adults and 2 kids in my boat for an afternoon ride with plenty of room. Not much off shore yet, since this is my first boat, but I'm getting there. Have been out about one mile with 20 mph winds and 2-3 foot chop. went slow but handled very well.

[norsechild76]

Thanks to all of you that have taken the time to reply. I've seen the 89' for sale on Ebay...been watching it. Unfortunately, I'm not moving to NC until summer when my daughter gets out of school. Hopefully when I get home this time from overseas I can get my boat sold so when I do move I can get into a V20.

Hammerhead...I'll be back in West Palm around the first of March and home for 30 days or so, may need to take you up on your offer of going out on your boat. It would be nice to see how she goes before buying one myself.

[reelapeelin]

Hey Norse...the V20 ain't much of a cabin and I wouldn't take mine TOO far off, but if you're lookin' for an EVERYTHING boat, this is it ;) ...

[garagenc]

'norse
I have a 91 v-20 with a I/O 305, I'm forced to replace my mtr do to a casting flaw in the block but it would run 42mph (by gps). I live near Oregon Inlet NC and I take mine 35 mi offshore all the time.

We use ours for everything you asked about and we love ours. My wife has already told me I BETTER have it ready when swimming time comes around. I'm upgrading to a 350 cui because it costs me the same as a 305. I don't have any gas mileage issues.
garagenc

[Blue_Runner]

Hey Norse, I agree with all above. This is the do-it-all hull. Easy to trailer, launch, won't break your wallet on gas (if powered right). I do skiing, tubing, knee-boarding, shallow water flounder trolling with my kicker motor, king mackeral, stripers, slow troll crappy on the lake, jug fishing, cat fishing, etc - want to do the nearshore mahi mahi thing this summer.

As for camping and cabin size - get one with a full curtain enclosure and who needs a bigger cabin? You can camp right in the cockpit! Add a little heater and all set for even the coldest nights.

I live near High Rock lake and spend a lot of time on the lake in the summer. I also do anywhere from 5 - 10 beach trips a year and the V always, ALWAYS follows me to the beach!

Welcome to the site! Hope you get one.

Later,
Blue

[LESTERUS]

NORSE:

I LIVE IN MIAMI AND HAVE USED MY V-20 FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS IN THE GULF STREAM TO FISH FOR DOLPHIN, WAHOO, MARLIN AND WHATHAVE YOU, I'VE GONE TO BIMINI IN IT MANY TIMES, AND PREVIOUS OWNER TOOK IT TO CUBA IN 1980. I THINK I'VE EARNED THE RIGTH TO SAY THAT IT IS A VERY SAFE BOAT FOR OFFSHORE USE, HAVING SAID THAT I ALSO SAY THAT THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR GOOD SEAMANSHIP.

LESTERUS

[sfprovyn]

I agree with pretty much what everyone has said about the v-20 except I dont think any 20 foot boat is an off shore boat but if you pick your days and watch you fuel you can go out after the big ones ..I also like outboards for lots of reasons but thats just my opinion..I would love to see wellcraft come out with a V-26 or larger using the same hull flair design with a couple of big e-techs on the back...Frank