New Owner, first question 73 w/ 2 outboards

[Havis]

I came across a steal of a deal for a 73 v20 in super, super shape. The previous owner completely redid the transom and bolted up two 140hp Johnson loopers on jackplates. Needless to say, she's a little tail heavy. The two saddle tanks carry 40 gallons and I am adding another pair of 27 gallon tanks forward of the existing tanks. Hopefully that will settle the nose down on take off. She planes out good, but the hole shot rise needs help. Does anyone use trim tabs or should I angle the engines a little more? That will take more work.

When I'm done I hope to have an offshore fishin' machine! I am real interested in seeing pictures of t-tops, radar arches, rod holders, etc. Is there a thread on add-ons like that?

Scott Havis
Alvin, Texas

[Franco]

HAVIS, LOOK IN THE FOR SALE FORUM. THERE IS ANOTHER TWIN OUTBOARD LISTED THERE WITH LOTS OF POSTS

[Havis]

This one?

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=for_sale;action=display;num=1093402 748

I bought it....a month ago.

<edit> this is the same one. It was on e-bay twice.
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=for_sale;action=display;num=1109266 035

;D

[bigshrimpin]

Welcome Havis!! I'll bet that's one fast boat. Tabs will definitely help the squat . . . especially with all that weight back there. If you look in the gallery there are pics of a few v20's with radar arches . . . Also if you visit atlantic towers some more v20's with arches.

Do you have any idea what kind of fuel burn you get?

Also how does the extra weight effect your transom height while drifting?

I'd be a little concerned trying to do offshore trips with only 67 gallons (more like 60 useable gallons) and twin engines.

I've done some longer trips in my v20 . . . 120 miles round trip. Gotta say that the boat sure feels tiny when your bobbing around next basking sharks and whales.

[chesapeake724]

Welcome. 8)

You certainly have a boat that turns heads. ;D

[fillet1]

Havis Welcome!

Thats an awesome ride you got!

You will have to post some pics when you get a chance.

Hydrofoils will lift up the stern on take off for you and are cheaper then tabs.

[reelapeelin]

Suffice to say you've most likely got the FASTEST v20 on the board...are you havin' custom tanks made to fit under gunwales forward of existing saddles?...Take a look at another solution...go to Gallery, under Reelapeelin...seat boxes contain 40 gals each...your new total would be a WHOPPIN' 120 gals inna v20...don't take no fat boys fishin' w/ ya... :o

Welcome to the board...these guys will do all they can to help out... ;) :D

BS...slashwell looks like it was reconstructed so it's as high as sides....somebody did a lotta nice work there...

Havis...have you splashed it yet?...how'd it do?...

[Pipe_Dream]

70+ mph??? HOLY CRAP! :o

My boat feels a little slippery at anything over 45.

She looks good -- welcome to the board!

[Havis]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

I guess I need gallery access to view the gallery....I'll check the FAQ...

Fuel burn...all I can say is she's a fuel pig! Very thirsty from what little I've run her. Definately needs more capacity. I have a couple of 27 gallon tanks I'm going to install under a pair of bench seats just aft of the captains chairs. I also ran across a thread on a fuel monitoring device I will investigate more. I suspect 2-3mpg at a cruise of 4000rpm, but that is a WAG.

The transon is in the water drifting to the old self bailer where the transom notch used to be. It's all been raised to the same height of the sides, so, so far, dry.

As for stability, I really have nothing to reference it with. But she seemed pretty dug in when I had the throttles pushed all the way forward. There was a little chop from the wind and the occasional swell from the gulf. But really too fast for my comfort (now). 4000rpm seemed to be a good cruise rpm and still plenty fast.

One thing I really like about this boat, and I'm sure you guys already know this, is the way she handles swells and chop. Very dry ride. We went out to the end of the Galveston north jetty to see how she rode in real seas (5.7ft buy the bouy at the end). She did real good, but I sure wouldn't want to do that for fun! Turned around and surfed back in.

Also, a compound and wax on the hull did WONDERS! Looks nearly new. Got rid of the stripe remnants.

I'll post a few pictures after I register for the gallery & photobucket.

Welcome Havis!! *I'll bet that's one fast boat. *Tabs will definitely help the squat . . . especially with all that weight back there. *If you look in the gallery there are pics of a few v20's with radar arches . . . Also if you visit atlantic towers some more v20's with arches.

Do you have any idea what kind of fuel burn you get? *

Also how does the extra weight effect your transom height while drifting? * *

I'd be a little concerned trying to do offshore trips with only 67 gallons (more like 60 useable gallons) and twin engines. *

I've done some longer trips in my v20 . . . 120 miles round trip. *Gotta say that the boat sure feels tiny when your bobbing around next basking sharks and whales. *

[reelapeelin]

I have a new screen name for you..."Haul-A$$ Havis"... :o ::)

[Blue_Runner]

Havis, my '72 had twin 140's when I bought it (on eBay). It never made it in the water with them. My stock 20" transom would have put me directly on the bottom of the sea right after I backed off the trailer.

When it had the 140's on it, it was hell to trailer it. It wanted to fish tail bad at anything over 50mph. Course I was towing with a V8 Jeef Cherokee which is not the heaviest of tow vehicles.

How does yours trailer? And, will you be trailering or do you have a slip?

I promptly removed both 140's and re-mounted one of them on a fixed jackplate.

Last question, when are you taking us fishing? I want to ride in that boat!! It looks pretty sweet from what I remember. Oh yeah, I lied, one more question , have you fixed that loose windshield yet?

Glad to see you found the board! I'm looking forward to hearing more about your new addition!

BR

[Havis]

Yes, fixed the windshield. I guess those upright supports are not made for long life. A few screws from the bottom fixed things up. Still needs new upright supports. I think if someone were to hang onto it, it wouldn't support a human.

Next time you come to Houston, we'll go for a ride!

It trailers fine; plenty of tounge weight. The tow vehicle is a diesel pickup. I hauled her back from Florida with no problems. I worried about the bouncing while crossing Louisiana on I-10 stressing the transom; I had no transon savers on. I'd like to move everything forward on the trailer because the engines hang too far behind the lights.

What goes between the cockpit area and the cabin? Newer ones have a door, mine looks like it had a snap on cover. But it's been around long enough for a lot of modifications.

[reelapeelin]

Havis, my '74 has nothing in opening to cuddy...the newer ones added doors and they're nice, but I've never needed one...unless you have a need to lock something up in there... ;)