:clap::clap::clap:

Does anybody know what the dry weight was on a 1974 steplift? would love to get everyones opinion on wether Ive lost or gained weight on the boat? Using 3/4 ply on the floor,mostly 1708 on all my glassing, double 2x6 for gunwale supports, 2x4 for inner cap rail, and 3/4 ply for my cap, I have to ask myself if this boat lost weight after the conversion? What do you guys think?:head:

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...021_Medium.jpg

From this site under the history tab. Probably close to this (1920 LBS) but my guess is that weight was added. I know mine is than new but not significantly more than when restoration started with all the water-logged foam.

Think about the production line workers with the company looking over their shoulders/teaching their labor to save on materials where they could. You added more glass here and there because you wanted it heavy duty. They used a chopper gun for some of the liners, you hand-laid every piece and have done a great job IMO. So probably a little heavier than it was.
BTW- Kudos to you. Your progress is amazing, mine took forever. I must say I really like the ribs, one off cap and T-top. They make yours truly custom. AND
What power are you going with again??

Ridge I have a family owned 135 hp evinrude that im only the third owner of its a 1979 evinrude with extremely low hours. Me personally thats gonna be enough power to get me thru a year or two. I then want repower with a 150 or better. Im basiclly dealing with what I have for now.

Fellas so what do you think about me runnin a 135 hp evinrude on this build? I want it to get me by atleast a year or two. Im not expecting a ocean racer its a fishing boat. What is the projected mph with this motor? Has anybody on this forum run a v20 with with 135? 135 seemed to be pretty popular on the v20 back in the 70's. once again as always thanks for the help guys.

I would think at least 30mph for a 135 in good running order.

Kracker are you using 1708 with a mat backing or without and where are you purchasing it?

It has the 3/4 ounce stitched backing. In multiple layer layups I've been changings the directions of the of the next layer for added strength. It's some beautiful stuff!!!!!! Kind off a pain to wet out but not to bad. I'm getting my material from Eastern Burlap of Norfolk. They are about 10 minutes from my house. I'm getting some fresh high end poly from them for 25 dollars a gallon with Gardner and my 1708 for $9.25 a yard. I go there for the convinience and decent prices.

Thanks Kracker. I cannot find biax here local. Next best price is US Composites.

I have found 5 gallons of MarPro Polyester Resin for $125 local.

I worked on my console tonight. Im basiclly glueing and glassing some ply inside the console in certain spot so I can beef it up for the t-top. I did learn a new trick tonight!!!!! when trying to get cloth to wrap a fairly tight outside radius you can mix your resin then pour some pre catalized resin in another container and add just a little cabosil to it to create a paintable paste, then paint the paste on your radius and the cloth stays perfectly while you wet out your cloth with no bubbles. Just an idea.:hi:

Another tip to consider if you have air bubbles that you just cannot live with that form after you go to bed, you can go to any pharmacy and buy a hypodermic needle with a 16 guage needle that will fill em up nicely.

Are you still using the 1708?

You are looking great Kracker! Do you have power yet?

I actually have power. I'm starting to think its a little small for my build. It's a 1978 family owned 135hp evinrude it has low hours and runs awesome. But oddly enough I called today about a brand new Suzuki 175 4 stroke. I hear these suzukis are pretty good motors. Some of the local crabbers swear by them. Any comments on Suzuki?

My dad had a Suzuki 140 years ago....that motor was a workhorse, never missed a beat. The only draw back seems to be service, around here the closest dealer is about an hour north. Yamaha most popular, Merc and E-Tech right behind.

The 175 would be a great motor I'll bet....new power...Im jealous!!:beer:

I've got that little 70 Mariner I'm putting on my sons V, hope to get around 25 mph or so.....he's only 11 so its all he needs. I'm kinda keeping an eye out for a good, cheap older 115-150 though

[QUOTE=draglink;191000]My dad had a Suzuki 140 years ago....that motor was a workhorse, never missed a beat. The only draw back seems to be service, around here the closest dealer is about an hour north. Yamaha most popular, Merc and E-Tech right behind.

The 175 would be a great motor I'll bet....new power...Im jealous!!:beer:

I've got that little 70 Mariner I'm putting on my sons V, hope to get around 25 mph or so.....he's only 11 so its all he needs. I'm kinda keeping an eye out for a good, cheap older 115-150 though[/QUOTE

Man I just sold my other 135hp. I have a 1978 115 I will sell ya. It has great compression and runs awesome the only down fall is that it has manual trim bracket. If intrested let me know

My buddy has a Zuki 140 on his Seapro and has not had any problems out of it besides the starter going out. He's had it for over 10 years. Corrosion seems to be an issue on the older ones at least, his has some on the powerhead but nothing serious.

I feel my boat is underpowered with the 130 and it's an 18'. I top out around 38mph with the t-top, before it I would hit 41-42mph if the conditions were right. If it is in the budget I would go bigger. When mine bites the dust I will go with a 150 minimum.

[QUOTE=Kracker Jack;191001]
I'm going to keep you in mind! I really want trim/tilt, I dont think he would be able to budge the motor

Guys I'm just gonna have to be honest, its been to freaking hot to work on the V. We are also moving into our new house on the 1st of August. So I've been working my @$$ off getting the new and old house together. I will resume work soon!

Well there is a 300 post thread limit. After that YOU have to PAY US to read it! Looks like you only got one post left after my post. :nut:

Good luck with the moving Kracker, don't get to hot out there. Hopefully the new house has space for the V20????

300 lol!!!

301

Jason I thought you were serious!! Lol!!! I was testing her out. I should get my free v- 20 tee shirt for all the views I've gotten!!!! Lol!!!!

MJ we need a facepalm smilie!! And Kracker you ought to know better than taking what i write seriously :you: All in good fun. All in good fun. :fight: Holy crap over 6100 views!!












I have a confession to make. Over half the views are from me.....

I'm moving into my new house tomorrow. All the big things are already moved in we just need to unpack ( what a pain in the @$$!!!!!!!). And I told the ole lady that I'm fishing all weekend so I will start working on the boat here in the next week. I can't wait to get started back on it

Sounds like you have your priorities straight. Also props for "telling" the ole lady you are going fishing. Too many wussie guys these days "ask" their ole lady. :fam:

Good luck on the move!

Blue thanks for the well wishes on the move. We are now officially moved in,we went to Lucky Oyster tonight for half off raw bar and then stopped at my brothers who 4 miles from me. It's good to be close to my family and also enjoy some old hang outs!!!!! I will start working back on the V on Friday, so pics to follow soon!

Oh..Mr BIG BALLS, HUH??...OH WAIT...yes...looking toward Lex...I can see 'em from here!!...:nut:

Kracker...I haven't been on a whole lot lately...yer comin right along, specially w/a MOVE in the mix...yeoow!...you've added some weight, I imagine, cuz like Ridge says, beefed up to YOUR specs and that's a good thing...Propping is gonna be most important to gettin' all there is to get from the 135...do you know the max RPM range OMC spec'd on that motor...your prop should allow that RPM w/a light load and no wind for best performance and fuel economy...she sure lookin' GOOD!!...

Well I got itchy tonight fellas!!!!! Did some grinding on the gunwale rail getting it ready for glass. I'm gonna be glassing the rail Friday afternoon. Not to many pics I can take that you haven't already seen. I'm ready to get her done and ready for striper season! Blue you coming up to fish this year? Hopefully we will get that giant bluefin run again.

I sure hope so....but I must admit tho my regular crew has become weary after a couple of poor catching trips over the last 2 seasons. We got real spoiled there for about 6 or 7 years of wearing out the pigs. One of my friends who normally does the trip with us says he's not going back. Gonna be playing it by ear this season.

If you want you can leave the boat at home and just come fishing with us on the Albemarle.

Gimme the BALL Coach!!...:party:

Alright Matt.....looks like it is gonna be me and Ozzie this year. Better warn all the fish and women of VA Beach!! Me n Oz are comin....and HELL'S COMIN WITH US!! :beer::you:

I hope you have a place out of the rain. At this pace I'm never going to get done. Raining every frickin day.

Bring it on fellas!!!!! We would have a blast. But blue I do understand what your saying about the fishing, 4 or 5 years ago the fishing was insane. You would catch your limit in no time.

Yea rain has been relintless here also. I have truelly been waiting for the temperature to change to get back working on her. Todays temps were perfect!!!! I'm am over that hot weather 100 degree temp with sweat and grinding on fiberglass is not my cup of tea.

I got a lot done this weekend. I got my outboard running this weekend for some reason it didn't want to start.
I also got my 3/4 ply for my cap all shaped up and fine tuned and also glassed 2 layers of 1.5 csm on the bottom of the cap ply. I'm getting really excited to get this boat finished!!!

I can see why...you've done a reall craftsman job starting w/a very seaworthy hull...a labor of love to be sure...you've done the proper courting...now it's time for you and the lady to get down to BIDNISS!!...:love:

I got a great deal on a parts bin from a guy on Craigslist. It had some dual morse controls,1- 2000 gph rule bilge pump,1100 gph rule pump,rechargeble marine grade spot light,2 sea dog halogen spreader lights, water muffs,led brake lights for trailer and led amber fender lights,aftco fighting belt,. And a bunch of other doo dads! All for 30.00 dollars!!!!! Can we say score!!!! It was all brand new in box.

:clap:SCORE...for shore!!...:clap:

Grind ,grind,grind,drink beer,grind grind,drink beer!!!!!! Sorry I have no pics lately, we still haven't gotten our new wireless router so I have no internet only my smart phone, and for some reason i can't put pics on this site from my phone. THT let me post pics so there are updated pics on my build thread over there. Hope everyone had a good weekend!!!