If you set your bunks just outside the step with 1" clearance the step should help center it on the trailer. I brought my 18 home on the V20s trailer and it fit like a glove. Pipe guide-ons help alot.

I have a clear moeller 30 gallon tank was given to me and fits perfect under my console. My forward "foot well" or old foot well when the cuddy was on there witch is now a storage hold also holds my other 30 gallon tempo perfect. so if im taking a trip that needs extra full I can bring it. I can even stuff my 18 gallon tank under my bench seat behind the console if I really needed more gas. My console is low but I kinda like it.

Kracker i might have to find somewhere else to put my tank. I may be installing a small block v8 under the console. Havent made up my mind yet.

WHAT?????? And I thought I was cool doing a steplift conversion!!! So what do ya have kicking around in the old head? A true inboard?

I have been thinking about a jackshafted sterndrive. I have been talking with Ferm about it, because i am new to sterndrives and not sure what can and cant be done.

Very Very cool!!!!:clap: Cant wait to see that build!!!

Dredging up an old thread.
I want to do some inshore fishing this winter while the V is in the garage for a rebuild. I still have the 18 Fisherman. Would yall run this boat in the shape the stringers are in? I will patch the cap to make it structural again. It wont be pretty, I dont care. I have a trailer and I can put the 2.5L Mercury on it, after some cosmetic changes. I need an honest opinion. I just want to get ten gallons of fuel and have my one weekend a month break to go fish. Just a dirt cheap inshore rig.

Looking at the boat today, it wont be too hard to repair the cap. The floor is solid. She has a new transom. I will need to run wiring, hook up the bilge pump from the V20, I can fill the livewell with a bucket. I have to hook up nav liggts. I will not have to purchase alot of items to get her seaworthy and safe. All I need to purchase is a stern light, vhf, throttle and shift cables for the Merc and maybe a tach. What kind of range can I expect on a 200 Mercury 2.5l with 12 gallons of fuel pushing the 18 just on plane?