Newbie here
 

Hi,

Just wanted to introduce myself as I just signed up...this is a great site with lots of good info. ;)

In the coming months I hope to be entering the V20 world and am trying to learn as much as I can.

Actually in the 1980's it was the boat of choice of my dad and we used to frequent the Wellcraft dealer in FL monthly looking at them and he intended on getting one, but found a great deal on a used Grady and we got that instead. But always loved the Step Lift and it seems like a great 1st boat/project and should prove very capable for fishing and cruising alike.

Was actually watching the one Randle just bought...appeared to be a great deal and a good platform to start with...hope he has good luck with her 8)

Anyways thanks for making all this info so readily available!

Scott

Re: Newbie here
 

Welcome to the site. We post a lot of listings here for V's that are for sale. ;D

Re: Newbie here
 

Welcome aboard!!

But to be a member here you must prove that you own and know how to use a Camera!!

Check the How to section on how to post!!

Enjoy! ;) ;D

Re: Newbie here
 

Welcome Gator. Take it from me, the very first thing you need to do after the purchase is check the frickin gear lube. Better yet, check it before you had over the cash. Speaking from experience here ;)

Re: Newbie here
 

WELCOME GATOR!!

I have only been around the site for a month or so and these SOB's have already conned me into buying an old boat that I will no doubt, sink countless dollars into.

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Re: Newbie here
 

Will will enjoy watching it Randleman. ;D ;D

Re: Newbie here
 

Welcome to ya Gator, and Randle just open that wallet wide. ;D

Re: Newbie here
 

No even WIDER. ;D ;D ;D

Re: Newbie here
 

No, even wider yet Randleman ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

Airslot

Re: Newbie here
 

Welcome Gator Bait. These guys aint as bad as they seem.


Remember BOAT stands for Break Out Another Thousand.


;D

Re: Newbie here
 

welcome gator bait!

Re: Newbie here
 

Pashaaa!!... :D ...

Re: Newbie here
 

Thanks for the warm welcome! 8)

I've already learned some things here in order to avoid future confrontations like burning receipts and answering "are those new?" with "no I've always had these...they came with the boat"...that should be priceless as time moves forward ;D ;D

Re: Newbie here
 

Good...GOOD...now when you are able to hang a brand-new motor on your boat, same model, HP, color, etc as existing motor w/ out being discovered, then you will become MASTA!! 8) ...

Re: Newbie here
 

Welcome Gator, like you said before, this site is chock full o information.

Reel, I thought MASTA was reserved for the guy who can
put bait on a hook and look at Willy's good morning post at the same time.

Re: Newbie here
 

Welcome!!!! 8)

but be careful around here. we got some weirdos that like to have a little fun........... ;D ;D ;D ;D

you'll get used to it :D

Re: Newbie here
 

That MASTA-BAITA...many year practice to achieve... ;D ...practice, practice, practice... ::) ...

Re: Newbie here
 

Well, did you buy a V yet. ;D :P

Re: Newbie here
 

No not yet...just beginnning the process really and settled on wanting a V. I have some preferences that I'm trying to determine which years would be best etc. to focus on. Some I've already figured out just by reading here but I will have some questions soon I'm sure ;D

Re: Newbie here
 

what are your preferences?

Re: Newbie here
 

Man I like that avatar CYENSEN!!!! ;D ;D

Well I think I prefer an O/B, although I do like the benefits of a full transom. never had an I/O so I guess I'm just biased but could be swayed for the right boat most likely. The motor box makes a seat but could also be in the way..so that's a wash I guess. I assume an old OMC Sea Drive boat would make a nice bracketed O/B model and have the best of both worlds...full transom and no motor box. Of course too many specific preferences and I'll never find a boat so I realize compromise is a must for sure.

One thing I have noticed in pics is that some have the large fish box between the seats and some do not. Some seem to have several smaller wood panels in the deck, but I like the large fish box with the swinging door that opens. The one I was watching that randleman bought had this and it was an '84 so perhaps the 80's and up have this? Also do these drain overboard or into the bilge?

Self Bailing I want, which as far as I have read seems to also point to 80's models when they raised the floor slightly to accomodate this. A little freeboard sacrifice I know but my gut always felt the less going into the bilge the better so I like self bailing, especially with possibly going offshore some it gives me a little piece of mind.

I read somewhere that some models/years have thinner gunwale's? Not sure which years that is though? I'd like room for flush rod holders and probably flush Lee outrigger holders in the gunwale as well, so that is important.

Did pretty much all years have 60 gallon tanks?

Geez I better end this here this is a long post :D

But I guess you asked for it LOL ;D ;D

Thanks for any insight you all have!

Re: Newbie here
 

I'd recommend paying attention to the fuel tanks. They vary in size throughout the years (from 40 up to 60?). Before they raised the floor they used 2 "saddle tanks" that sit above the floor and hold 20 gallons a piece. I have a '71 I'm working on restoring and one of the things I'm trying to change is the saddle tanks. I'd rather have a belly tank under the floor, but the lower floor is making it tough to find something that'll work. Others are happy with their saddle tanks so I guess it's a personal preference, but if I make a belly tank work I'll be sure to pass on how I did it.

And the Vs with the saddle tanks also have three seperate pieces to them: the outer hull, inner liner, and cap. When they raised the floor they went to two peices: outer hull and cap/liner together. If I had to do it over again I'd start with an early 80's on up.

My .02 for FREE! *;D ..... Just remember, you get what you pay for *::)

Re: Newbie here
 

Welcome GATOR. Mine has a 40 gallon fuel tank and im putting in a 55 gallon. How much you going to spend ??Just curious.


Scott

Re: Newbie here
 

Cool thanks for the info..that is good stuff to know.

Jeff did you get yours around VB or from Ebay or something? I'm in Norfolk and was just wondering if there are good spots to locate used Steplifts or something?

Parrot, thanks for the welcome and the info too. Not sure how much yet, the one randelman just boguht seemed like a good deal to me, with a newer motor and all...I see them for much more with older motors...but I imagine initally I'm looking around $4k or less I imagine...maybe it depends on the admiral after V-Day ;D ;D

Scott

Re: Newbie here
 

well lets see if i can clear things up a little.

mine is an 84 I/O, original motor, runs great, little oil leak, but not bad

the deck drains into the bilge. this i do not like either, but am looking into routing this deck water through the side.

mine has a 60 gallon fuel tank between the helm and passenger seat.

mine also has the bait box you were referring to. i can fit about 5 30" stipers in there. and yes it also drains into the bilge. there is a hookup for a macerator pump, but i do not have it hooked up yet. this box sits in front of the motor compartment and behind the fuel tank.

i love my boat and would not trade it for the world. i think the best part of the I/O is the complete lack of fumes that you get from a O/B. i hate those fumes.

hope this helped ;D

Re: Newbie here
 

oh yeah almost forgot.....including the trailer, I picked mine up for $3500 and that included.

fulll enclosure
fish finder/depth finder
VHF
anchor and rode
and two of those plush boat folding chairs

see my gallery for a few pics, i think i am on page 6 at th bottom in the middle.

;D ;)

Re: Newbie here
 

I picked mine up from budget boats in Chesapeake. I knew it would be a project when I got it, but I didn't realize just how much until after is was home....

Best I can say is keep an eye out online and locally. There have been a few Vs for sale around here, but not many. A lot of the guys on this board are willing to take a look for you if you see something online that's close to them. In anycase, I don't think I'd buy one without myself or someone from here looking at it first. There have been plenty of boats that looked good/decent in pics, but have turned out to be not so good in person.

I did see one for sale on this site the tidalfish.com forum and I sent him a message with a link to this website, but I haven't seen it here. The boat was local and he may have it in the paper and/or trading post. I think he wanted about 6500 for it, but I can't remember...

Good luck Gator! :D

Re: Newbie here
 

Gatorbait, check out Willy's "Old School". It's super nice and for sale.

Re: Newbie here
 

Gator I'm in Camden nc 40 mi from you and there is a
walkthru down here for sale it's the one Randleman was looking into, its not far from you so you could come down here during the week or on saturday and take a look at it. it has pics on this site in the forsale section.

Re: Newbie here
 

edited to say I found it thanks for the head's up
Scott

Re: Newbie here
 

Hey Gator,

I tried to help you out with some info a couple of lines up on the last page just wanted to make sure you saw it.

Re: Newbie here
 

Me too, thats why I got a 4 stroke ob, best of both worlds.

Re: Newbie here
 

Heheheh...yer a fast study. Welcome aboard.

Re: Newbie here
 

I have an outboard. Wish it was on a bracket. Got to agree with CY. though, I hate the fumes from an outboard. Hey CY. I guess the I/O's run alot quieter too. ??

Re: Newbie here
 

Just go faster!! the fumes are in the back! ;) ;D

Re: Newbie here
 

Yes I did CYENSEN thanks a lot for the help!

So on your I/O is the fuel tank more forward than a typical O/B boat? I assumed that those in deck fish boxes were in between the 2 front seats because the tank was under the screw down deck between the gunwale rod racks toward the rear, but that may be wrong. Of course most pics I've looked at have been O/B's too. The one that was for sale in Camden NC seems to have an extra in floor box in the rear too I think...maybe due to being Sea Drive, no motor box and no motor well there was room?
Thanks again!
;D

Re: Newbie here
 

Hey Gator...you're on the right track!!...and as usual gettin' lots of good info from the guys...several good "V"s go thru here from time to time...keep bein' patient, the right one will come along...are you lookin' for a project or somethin' to splash right away?... 8) ...

Re: Newbie here
 

Thanks Reel... I'm probably looking for a little of both...something to splash right away that may need some TLC/updates. The one Randle just bought seemed to fit that bill nicely, newer motor just needs a little TLC and personalization to make it 'mine' 8)

So I'm not wanting a project right now that would involve replacing transom/rotten stringers etc...I want to be able to hit the water and wet a line sooner rather than later if that makes sense. But I also realize I'm not going to land a 1990 V with a 2005 E-Tec for $3500 so finding the balance is key.

Of course this is dictated by budget and other things. But I'm not in a rush, I'd really like to wait to find the 'right' one rather than jumping the gun and buying something I regret later etc.

Thanks for the info!

Re: Newbie here
 

i am pretty sure that ......

I/O = fuel in the front and live well in the back

O/B = live well in the front and fuel in the back

Re: Newbie here
 

Nice...thanks for the clarification...

just checked out your gallery and WOW! She is really nice. The fact that you scored her running for $3500 is very encouraging! That's more about what I would like to spend initially, knowing I'll put money and sweat into her ;D

Did you know the owner or just stumble upon her online or at a boatyard?

thanks again!