What Year?
 

I recently bought a boat from someone and it's a Wellcraft V20. The owner was not sure what year it was. How do you find out? Help is appreciated. Thanks!

Without a title, pictures are going to be the easiest way I would think. Post some out and you will get a good idea.

last two digits of the hull id number, usually located on the stb side transom

Congrats on the purchase. You've just bought one of the sweetest, most versitile boats ever made. Hope you stay around the site and become a member. Welcome!!!:beer:

It'll look like this under the rub rail where Spare said...

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...n/IMGP0410.jpg

Post up some pics of your new V20 for us...we likey pickies!!...:pic:

Picture
 

This is the only one I have right now.

Bees!!!!
 

When I bought it I found out that it was full of honeybees. Worked on getting the honeycomb out this weekend but it's a nasty job. I actually flooded the boat to kill all the bees. They were in the front hull in the one foot by one foot hole. It was a nasty experience but they are finally gone and I can actually start to work on it.

that's a 77 or older judging from the cap.

Maybe it's just the way the sun is shining in the pic, but I like that bottom coat color. Kinda a satin sheen to it.

If you'll take some advise, get a trailer jack for the front tongue of your trailer... that way, with it jacked up in storage, when it rains the boat won't fill up with water. :head:

Nice looking from here. Best of luck with her.

I had it down like that to drown the bees that were in the hull. I had to raise it back up to drain it. It is going to stay raised from now on. Thanks for the advice though!

The V-20 remained much the same from it's 1st year in 1970 thru 77...and Ferm's right (of course), it falls in that model year range for sure...have you had a chance to peek under that rub rail on the transom yet?...

Some Pictures
 

Here are a few other pictures for all to see. I have to show my ignorance as I have never owned a boat before and only been on a couple. With your directions on where to look for the markings that tell me the year I do not understand the boat lingo. Could someone please be more clear on where to look. Sorry but I am very new to this!

Few More Pictures
 

I did also leave out that the motor is completely shot. It had an Evenrude V6 on it. What motor would anyone recommend?

standing behind the motor and facing the boat, there is a number on the top right side of the rear of the boat. below the silver rub rail that goes around the boat. the last 2 digits are the year.

right...like Phatdaddy said , just above the u shaped hook that you can see in this picture below

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/communit...9&d=1308673974

Year
 

Thanks a bunch I will look when I get home. If you zoom in on the picture you still dont see it. but I will look anyway. Thanks again!

Nomenclature: (names)
Stern = Rear of the boat
Transom = the rear wall of the boat that the engine mounts on. (same as
stern)
Bow = Front of the boat
Rub Rail = the (most times) silver aluminum rail that goes completely
around the outside of the boat.
Deck = Floor
Cutty Cabin = the little cabin filled with bees.
Port = left side of the boat when viewed from the rear
Starboard = right side of the boat when viewed from the rear.
head = bathroom
bilge = inside bottom of boat.
bilge pump = a small electrically operated (most times) pump that removes the water that usually collects in the bilge from spray, leaks, fish, etc. and pumps it overboard.
cleet = (pronounced Kleet) = metal or plastic projection on the deck that is used to tie rope around.
line = rope.
anchor = heavy, metal object used to keep a boat stationary in the water.

This is a small list. There are lots more, but it's a start. To answer your question, a 150 hp engine is considered by many to be the ideal engine for a V20. The brand you get is going to be your choice. Everyone has their favorites. Some like Mercs, some like Hondas, some like Yamahas, some like Evinrudes and Johnsons, etc. Each brand has it's good and weak points.
Looking at your "before" pics I see you have a lot of work to do. I'm sure that the "after" pics will look amazing. Good luck and if there's anything you need to know or don't understand fully, this is the place to ask. The collective knowledge that is here in these forums is simply astounding in it's depth and breth. Good luck :beer:

It's small numbers molded into the fiberglass so it's not really visible unless you are specifically looking for it...additionally, if a prior owner has done work on the transom (the backmost part of the boat where the motor is attached), it could be gone all together...don't feel bad...we all started learnin' this stuff somewhere along the way...

Now where'd I leave that scrotumater??...:head:

1973 Steplift
 

Thank you so much for your responses I really appreciate them. I did look in that area for the number but the old owner must have had some work done because nothing is there. I did a little research and looked at some pictures and my boat looks to be a 1973 V20 steplift.

your boat model
 

Hello your boat model is 1988 :hi:

Yes tsubaki i am sorry coz i see pic here

Naah, it's '77 or older, like FERM was sayin'. Look at the floor hatches.

Definitely a 70 to 77 vintage. You know though, with the V20's, newer is not necessarily better. They are all great boats, and the older models have a lot more teak than the newer models. The only teak I have on my 1991 V20 cuddy are the hatch rails. Lexan door to cuddy, roto-molded rod holders, etc.

I just took a better look at the pix you posted, and, please do feel daunted, but you have some work to do on her. If, however, you are mechanically inclined, have decent tools, and patience, you can have a real gem of a boat. All the technical advice you need is here for the taking thanks to the kind, smart, experienced and generous folks on this site. Go for it.

As far as re-powering your V, 150 h.p. seems to be the ideal combination of weight, speed and fuel consumption. There are lots of threads regarding horsepower, and we have folks here running outboards from 90 h.p. (with surprisingly good results) to 225 plus. 150, however, seems to be the "sweet spot" for the V20.

Good luck with your project