What to look for

[wdkerek]

When buing one of these older boats, what are the top ten or so things to look for? I've always wanted one and would consider the right boat, but I've never really purchased a used boat that is in this age group!

[Skools Out]

1: Solid Transom No rotten nor soft spots use a rubber hammer to listen for voids in the transom or delamination.
2: Solid Floor
3: Solid Stringers
4: Look out for blistering on the bottom
5: Look out for Spider cracks on the older boats make sure they are only surface / gelcoat cracks and not major glass cracks.

That's what I look for when buying a boat to use with out a lot of major work, on the boat side to me motors don't matter I usually open all mine up to re-seal, re-ring and new bearings myself when I buy an older used boat.

Motor side just see that it has the big 3 items Good Even Compression on all cylinders, Good fire on all holes and Good fuel system. The lower unit no water in oil and no metal.


Here's a great link to a USED BOAT GUIDE.
{http://www.diy-boat.com/Pages/Archives/links/2005_2/safety/usedboats.html}

[wdkerek]

do you, by chance, know the year wellcraft stopped using wood on the transom?

[Skools Out]

As i know of all V-20's have wood transom's most of your boats did until just in the late 90's and alot still do.

[reelapeelin]

Don't get me wrong...I LUV my old '74, but if I were starting to look for a V20, I'd be lookin' at '80 or later mainly because that's when they started puttin 60 gal tanks in the floor...there's a full liner and flotation starting then as well...I like the look and "character" of the older 20s, but things Wellcraft did later are to me, unarguably improvements... ;) ;D...

One test I like for OB transoms is to tilt motor full "up", then rest your weight across the lower unit and gradually apply pressure...a good transom will support your weight no problem...but if the owner freaks and you hear lots of cracking and feel movement, STOP and unless you're ready to do a transom job, walk away ;) :)...

Skool's got a good suggestion w/the rubber hammer...just make sure it doesn't leave BLACK marks...owner may not appreciate, specially if you don't buy... ::)...

[chumbucket]

Instead of a rubber hammer, we used to use a 1" diameter plastic head mallet when I work at the Boston Whaler factory. You get a better resonance with the plastic head and the void sound is more distinctive. A wet transom will have a dead or dull thud to it.

[reelapeelin]

I always wondered what those little 1" half-moons were all over the BWs... ;) ;D...

[chumbucket]

;D That would have been me. ::) ;D