FNG with new to me 1989 V-20 cc.
 

:hi:Thanks for the awesome forum y'all. I've been lurking here for some time and today bought my V-20 largely because of the sterling rep here.

She is in really good shape for her age. She has a 1998 Merc 225 carb motor with less than 400 hours, lenco trim tabs, and a desperate need for a good cleaning. Going to throw her in the lake tomorrow and have a bit of fun before operation cleanup begins. Pics to follow.

Welcome to this site. Hope your first day on the lake with your new toy goes well!

:clap:

Good luck with your first launch, should fly with a 225 on her.

welcome to the site! check all your safety equipment dont forget to put the PLUG IN and have some fun good luck.:sun:

There were only a few years the V-20 was rated for > 200 HP...hope you checked the transom out well ...Like Willy said, it oughtta scoot along pretty good!!...:party:

Welcome to the site and congrats on your new ride!

Welcome and good luck.....better be pics.....fast

Just got back from the lake. After a few teething problems with the old black tombstone, she purred like a kitten. Unfortunately, the trim tabs were non op with the starboard side down further than the port and both trying to bury the bow. Compensated best I could with the motor trim. Cruise @ 4k rpm is 29 knots. Max was 36 knots @ 5100 rpm. Like I said, the trim was awful and the motor would not rev out as a result of dragging the bow. Ordering a new trim tab switch today and sending the boat to the mechanic tomorrow. Hoping to see 56 mph (speed claimed by po) next weekend.

This boat has a phenomenal ride, way better than I was expecting. With 1-2 foot chop on Lake Pontchartrain today, I could have had a martini glass on the center console. Unbelievably smooth and dry, even listing to port as she was because of the broken trim tabs. I could not be happier with my choice.

Anyone know a good upholstery shop in new orleans?

RIDGERUNNER here has a 225 on a bracket on his and is running upper 50's with his, so it's believeable. I believe after 80 or so the V-20's were rated for 235HP. Just watch the transom though as the MERC 225 3.0l is a torquey powerful monster when running at full steam.

I have a 225 Johnnyrude on my 78 and it flys. 55+ is entirely doable. Welcome to the site and Gl with your new toy. :beer:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l1...ics/V20-13.jpg

Congrats on the 1st SPLASH!!...shortly after installing tabs on my old '74, I tried a take off, forgetting tabs were fully down...almost buried the bow (really)before I finally let off, so I can imagine how yours handled w/one down and the other MORE down...
Once you get the tab issue resolved, you'll really get to see what these boats can do!!...welcome to the pack!!...:party:

I realize that the trim tab issue kept the speed down, but out of curiosity, what size prop are you running? Can't wait to hear what your speed is after the trim is set proper. Glad you are happy with the boat. It's a phenomenal hull design. :clap:

Thats a great question. I have no idea. I'll let you know when I go by the boat this afternoon to go through the Lenco trouble shooting guide on the trim tabs. I'll bring the camera with me too because :thre:

Welcome to the site. Your V sounds very nice. Ferm mentioned my center console V with a 225Merc. It is actually a 250 EFI and my best speed now 63.1 mph turning a 23pitch prop, with a very light load. Speed isn't everything, in fact the speed isn't very useable most days. Trim tabs are nice but I rarely find the need to use mine. The hull is awesome. Keep us posted on how you do. Pictures would be sweet too.

My bad, I knew you had one of the MERC 3L's though.

I know I had to scotch-tape my eyeballs in lest they blow out and become crab-poop somewhere in the waterway!!...better be holdin on to SOMETHIN' when he punches it...:clap:

Get those tabs up, trim that motor up so you are Sucking Ducks and you will fly with that motor.
I ran a V with a 225 Johnson on it in Lake George on fairly flat water, trimmed that baby up an let fly.
Don't know what actual speed I was doing but a guesstimate would be 50-55 mph and to be honest I did not particularly like it. Got a little squirlly around then.
Plus I realized I could not thoroughly enjoy the bikini clad crowd at that speed, not good I thought to myself.

I have a Johnson 225 on my '85 V20..
 

I have a Johnson 225 on my '85 V20 and no problems.. The Johnson is a 2000 model year and I love it.. Really clips along.. welcome to the V20 world!

What ya gotta understand about willy's ride at speed is there MIGHT have been some pilot error brought on by excessive amounts of Pilot Fuel...otherwise known as Wobble-Water...Jamison, Dant, Jack...one of the Hi-Test brands to be sure...all boats can get a little squirrely under those circumstances...:beer:

I'm a Hendricks man myself, but it sounds like Willy has good taste.

So instead of wrenching on the boat yesterday, I took it to my mechanic for the usual new boat maintenance items. After going through the motor, Sean (the mechanic) told me that I got a screaming deal. He pluged in the lapper and found 405 actual hours on the motor, 110 exactly in all 6 holes, the lower unit is new, all the electronics are perfect, not a bad thing to say about anything. I guess I'll get into the electrical this weekend.

Also, I'm not sure what size the prop is. The numbers say 19 and then 1066. I don't know what that means.