Voodoo Hell
 

Well after a day of HELL there and back, I finally got home around 330am this morning with the newest member of the family. A 1984 Wellcraft 228, I think it was the predecessor to the sportsman. I have been looking for something a little bigger than the V, and found her on CL for a great price. FREE. Yes I know there is no such thing a free boat.

I think my wife put some sort of a hex on me for the past several days thinking I would just say forget it and let the boat go, no way I said, and I finally prevailed. I took the empty trailer up, after making sure all the tires were ok and the bearings lubed. About 1/3 into the trip, there was something on the road that I didn't see until to late and it bounced up and broke something in my exhaust. The remainder of the trip was the loudest thing I ever want to experience. Then about half way into the trip the road was horrendous, or so I thought. I stopped to get gas about 2/3 of the way and figured out the reason for the "Horrible road conditions". One of my new tires was gone, not flat plain gone rim and all. I guess the "road conditions" were the tire working itself loose. It was the weirdest thing I have ever seen. Lugnuts, or in this case, lugbolts, were still anchored in the drum on the axle. I replaced the tire and continued on. Upon arrival at my destination to retrieve the FREE boat, the boat yard owner did give me a tire and rim, then I bought a couple off of a trailer he had, I wanted to make sure I had enough and good tires, or so I thought for the return trip.

Something I think I haven't mention until now is the location of the journey. I started from where I live in NC and the final destination was in MD, on the Eastern shore, just below Salisbury, MD. The trip itself was 300 miles each way. To get there, the journey took me up I95 to VA, 58 toward Norfolk, across the Chesapeake Bay With a toll of $20.00 EACH way, what is that all about. I want to use the road, not buy part of it.

The return trip was pretty uneventful, with the exception of the on Blow Out of one of the tires I had just bought.

But she is in my yard now, and the work will begin soon. Pics to follow.

Adapt and overcome, that is what V20 Guys and other Men of the world do.
Congrats and welcome to the Brotherhood

here are a few pics. As she sat in the marina then on my trailer to head home.

.... and it was free, so to speak. Nice find.

Damn, lost the whole wheel?

Surprised you didnt see it pass you in the left hand lane.

Luckily it didn't hit a car or cause an accident, that I know of...

I thought so and I am very please with the condition overall, especially since she had been stripped and sitting for who knows how long.

Nice looking boat, and a very lucky one. She dodged a short trip to the crusher because of you. I'm sure she'll give you tons of great boating pleasure in graditude. Good luck with her restoration. :beer:

Good luck, it can only get better right?

Playing Hooky ? cool enough name.

rkc

I thought it was pretty cool too.

I have a similar story
 

Though not as bad as your experience. Bought my V20 from an estate here in CT. Boat, motor - (150 Merc) and trailer for $2500. Total distance for the tow was about 45 miles. I asked the seller about the bearings and was assured that they were well lubed. Ok so I take off. I have not towed anything in years and was pretty uptight. Anyway as I settled down to the tow things were going well. I had earlier resolved to stop at the first rest area to do a safety check. My GPS said I was 35 minutes from home and as I approached the rest area I said - "Hell everything is going well I will just go on" But then I said naw I better stop. To make a long story short - the right side trailer tire was tilted out - shot bearing. I don't think I would have made another 10 miles. The rim of the tire was as hot as a pistol.

A week earlier - in anticipation to picking up the boat, I had purchased the West Marine tow coverage for the amazing amount of $25.00. So I called and got a tow. Asked the tow operator how much this would have cost me without coverage and was told it would be $500.

Bought new trailer for $2700 so now my $2500 deal is really $5200 but still happy.

Regards to all

Hal

Well then..I'm sure you'll have your new love ready for a tow down to the coast next week..yer just full of surprises, huh!!..And I gotta applaud your wife for lettin' ya get away w/all that!!...LOL!!

I ran across a 228 on blocks in Charleston one day a couple of years back and gave her a pretty good lookin' at...that's a helluva nice boat!!...wide beam and big deep entry for bustin' the big ones...well laid out inside, too...yer gonna have a big time w/that one...I look forward to ridin' on it at the beach next week...

Reel, it may be ready in the fall or next year, not next week I can assure you. But yes at some point I will get you out on her. As far as the wife, the decision was already made to go get the boat when I "asked" her.