1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

I just came accross a 1980 specs. and retail price list . Both the Fisheman and Steplift listed for $6295 W/O motor . The I/O from $11945 to $13095 depending on H.P. At those prices I would take a new one today and not even ask them to come off of the price a dime . I am going to send this list along with the option list and 1980 catalog to Bigshrimpin for him to post.

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Thanks, labii...specs are always fun to read...yeah, if they could make that hull and sell 'em less than 7 grand they'd be layin' up a lotta "glass"... ;D...

How much involved to dismantle a V20, pull new molds from it and go to layin' up our own?...we might even be able to actually SELL some... :o...think about it...NEW V20s fresh outta the mold.... ;D....

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

I think you would have to talk to Wellcraft first before building their boat :'( ..... But it could be done. My brother-in-law manufactures molds for new boats, aircraft, etc. (which is where I plan on getting some good help from ;D). I could get him to make a mold.....hmmmm ::)

I think Wellcraft tried to bring back the V20 a year or two ago :D.....I'm not sure what happened, but I noticed it's not in there new lineup. :( Might have had something to do with the pricing along with it not being much different from their Sportsman model. ??? When I looked at a brand new one last year (I think, maybe year before. Time flies when your having fun!) I wasn't all that impressed. It had the same euro transom as their other boats and not near as much cockpit space as the old V20... >:(

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

It was a total hunk of $hit!! And people who new the old V20 did not want anything to do with it!!

When they said they were going to reintroduce it they should have just made one from the old molds with some new tech stuff in the inside!!

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

If you could, it would be sweet to have an early 70's hull and a v-21 transom with all updated deck and cockpit space.

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Well, I don't think anyone will be rushing to make a new V20/V21 hull made from the model we all know and love unfortunately. Whatever patents were held on that particular hull design, I'm sure have more than likely expired. And, even if one were still current, a slight modification to the hull would get around that.
The Steplift" that Wellcraft came out with last year was a thinly veiled attempt at trying to lure loyalists to buying a "new V21/V20 Steplift" when in actuality I think any traditionalist could see that it wasn't even close.
I realize that time marches on, unfortunately in some cases, but call it something else. We consumers aren't as "oblivious" as they think we are. >:(

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

I think Macojoe put it best with regards to the new V21. I was told by the former Wellcraft dealer here that the old school V21 was still his best seller up until the time the killed it off. I guess it just looked out of place in the line with all of those trendy euro's.....

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

First it was T-shirts.... then hats..... now molds of the hull.... nobody can say this group doesn't take the initiative!!!

Mold an old V-20.... sounds like a worthy cause to me.... preserving a hull design for future generations!!!

And once we have the mold.... well a Kevlar/Carbon composite boat can't be far behind can it?

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

You guys are hittin' all around what I'm talkin' about...WE, collectively design a boat using the v20 hull...WE put in all the stuff we want in a boat(maybe a full transom for instance)...WE leave out all the Euro-design crepola we don't want...I'm like CB...whatever patents existed on the hull have most likely expired...that Wellcraft took it outta production demonstrates they are no longer interested...they are convinced the market has dried up for this boat and maybe in the numbers they would need for production, it has...

BUT,...Limited production of this boat would certainly fill a "nitch" market...look at the success of this board and we're a small number of all the V20 owners still out there...

Hey, MJ...we'd make 'em w/ tackle drawers built in under the port dash....60 gal belly tank...full transoms w/ aluminum brackets...full flotation...all the stuff...big, open dash for electronics...

Anybody?...

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

I am all for it!!

But we are forgetting one thing!!

MONEY!!

Who is doing the backing for this project??? Its not cheap to start making boats!!

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

See, MJ..there you go w/ the negative vibes...think positive...as in "I'm positive I ain't got the money!"...

I don't know, but this is a pretty resourceful crowd here...first, who's gonna donate his boat to be dismantled...yes, you on the third row... :o...

JeffXJ...ask you're brother in-law what it'd take (on a shoestring)...

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Hmmm....something to think about, although he might call me crazy (to say the least) since I just bought my project ::) . Here's the website for his family business. http://www.dlba-inc.com/ .

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

I'm in, I got a few bucks. And I want to include a few ideas....... when it's time

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Guys, I talked to a local guy that builds his own boats and molds he said about $3000.00 and the mold is ours. He said that he would have to have a pristene boat to mold from. I'm in.

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Ok i have come up with a idea on a new invention i am going through invent-tech and we have been working on this for about 6 months now, it is for boats i can't say what it is right now but it is going to the patent office this week and starts marketing to manufacturers next week. I have sunk right at $10,000 on this idea so far and if all goes through like we are hopeing it will i will be more than happy to pitch in on an idea like this. My dream having our own line of boats.

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

I have two 1973 V-20's that don't run. One was a I/O redone to put a outboard and the other is a outboard. May be willing to donate one for the cause, but it is located in Palacios, Texas. That is a little bit of a drive from YOU ALL.

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Vic, didn't think we could get mold for THAT!...3 grand is great...Axespino's got a full transom V20...would the 3 Gs get hull AND liner molds?...

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

I'd like two tackle pods behind each pedestal seat. One side loaded with tackle drawers with a sinkin the top, the other with a livewell box in it. If you have seen what a 28 carolina classic has in it, thats what I'm talking about.

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

How cool! I'd consider investing my savings into something like this. Goodness knows the bank isn't paying much interest on my $260.45!

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Ok, ok, how much should I write the check for? I'm convinced. Heck, this has been done before! I own what is called a "Popcraft" which is a 17ft boat made by Thunderbird. Well, in the 60's when fiberglass boats were gettin real popular, some "fly-by-night" boat builders (reminds me of us) were buying Thunderbird boats, rolling them over and making their own molds, copying T-bird. T-bird had a solution to the problem. They went out and did the same thing to the guys that were doing it to them! The difference being that they had deeper pockets and were able to produce lots of the competitors boats for way cheaper than they could make them. So, T-bird's "Popcraft" was born. "Popping" was a word they used for this technique of copying the molds by using a competitors boat. By the way, Eddie Smith - owner of Grady White boats (and from my home town mind you) was the one who told me about this! He also invited me down for a tour of the Grady White facility any time I wanted to come....anybody want to join me?? Let's go "pop" some V20s!! And V23's, and V25's, and V30's - anybody getting wood but me?

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

You could make two packages available:

The "MJ" package has all Starboard accents, pulpit, access hatches, tack boxes, etc. *A fishing machine.

The "Emmit" package has all teak and is more of a mix between cruising, family use, and fishing.

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

BR...can't believe it...I had a '67 17' T-Bird when I got my V20...had a 140 Rude...whadda great boat, but just wanted bigger when I found the V20... ;D...

I've also heard the pop-a-hull story...that was a hull worthy of being copied!...

let's say we got a final V20 design, have the molds made...who among us KNOWS how to gel-coat and lay-up and all...here's where we CANNOT scrimp....this is where a reputation can make or break...we need somebody who REALLY KNOWS how to do this and not get spider-cracking and all the common fiberglass probs we all hear about...

We certainly can't use Wellcraft name...MIGHT be able to use V20 if it's not registered or copywrited...IF we can use V20...how's this sound..."The V20 Tribute"...naaa!....

Yeah, let's take that Grady tour...might pick up some pointers... ;)...

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Let the fishing begin!!!!!!

So we can all stop Dreaming!!!

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

RAP - you are lyin - there's no way you had a 67ft T-bird 17 footer before you went V20. Norfolk-and-way! That's too creepy. I've said before that we think alike about certain things.

Mine's a '68. You don't see many of them. In fact, I've never seen one that looked like mine.

It truly is an amazing hull. I took it to Murrell's last weekend with a buddy. One day we had 25mph winds blowing 1-2 ft chop across and against the top of 3ft swells and my little 17 (70hp) jumped right on top of that crap - never, EVER, has gotten me wet.

In the 5 years I've owned it I've only taken 1 wave over the front (down at Hatteras Inlet - can you say "SCARY") which was about 7ft high. Actually, the wave didn't come over...it was after we went over the wave the front of the boat slammed down nose first on the backside and water came over the front but just rolled around the windsheild and down the side.

I'll miss that boat once I have my V20 ready. Best boat I've every owned.

You still got yours? Bet it would really haul with that 140! My 70 pushes mine over 30.

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

MJ you truely are the voice of reason! I was just getting my check book out. Bill Mc ;D

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

BR, if I'm lyin' I'm dyin'...boat had a trough down the gunwales from the bow-deck to the transom...we called it the pi$$in' trough...we took that boat 35 miles outta Charleston w/a hand-held GPS...went TO a wreck...caught fish and headed back...SILK til 5 miles out then all HE_L broke loose!...takin' breakers OVER the WINDSHIELD...took my hat off my head, but that hull shed water and popped back up like it was solid CORK... :o...

Rode like a DREAM in reasonably rough water too...as amazing a 17'er as the V20 is a 20'er... ;D...

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Yep, mine has the pissin trough too! LOL

35 miles - '67 17fter :o

RAP you are lucky to be here to tell about it! That and you've got some extremely large reproductive organs ;D

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Mac, dreams usually preceed reality...

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Lets get back to planning the boat. It's gonna be built by commity. That could be good or it could be bad. I have a few requests. A full transom center console with a bracket and single outboard. Hawse pipes in the corners - live bait well in the transome, salt water wash down - stainless steel rod holders - 6 of them if you please. get rid of all the norton snaggers. Real scuppers and plastic - not wood hatch covers. I'm still in by the way

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

I would like to keep my saddle bag gas tanks, and add a third tank were the I/O would go.

I would like my floor fish tanks insulated and plumped to the bildge.

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Why the saddle bags MJ ? Mine is in the floor.

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

because with the floor tank you don't get the 2 in floor fish box's, And I love mine!! I can hold 100 pounds + ice in each one. Thats 200 pounds of fish not taking up floor space!!
But they are not insulated so the ice goes kind of quick.

See I use my boat for commercial fishing, and I need the space.

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

makes sense to me. But if we mad a centerconsole, we could put in a big fish box in the forward section in front of the console, insulated of course, and expand the indeck box (like I have) back to the engine box area. Fill the rest with foam

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

Well, looks like we'll have several models to choose from...CC, cuddy fisher and cuddy cruiser...all w/ full transoms, aluminum w/flotation brackets...I'm thinkin' reconfigure transom to include BIG built-in bait tank recirculating AND raw water, 60 gal belly tank w/ rod holders in gunwales...CC has a bench w/ built-in tackle drawers...cuddy fisher has Capt chairs on boxes w/ built-in tackle drawers...cruiser same except coolers instead of tackle drawers...

83 seems to have been a good year to base this boat on, but we gotta make dash w/ big electronics room to mount...

Bimini standard, curtains optional...

lots more to think about, but one standard throughout all models...QUALITY construction, fit and finish...gotta be right or see MJ's description of Wellcraft's reintro attempt...it's all for nothing if we scrimp on QUALITY... ;)...

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

SO HOW DO WE GET STATED I'M READY!!!!!!!!!!

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

looks like we are already started. We know where to get the mold made. Now we have to hire someone experienced with building a boat. Still gotta figure out the core material for stringers and deck. Maybe we should each take an engineering task and work on them. One guy figures out the plumbing requirements - bilge pumpa, wash down, baitwell, etc and put a parts list together. One guy does wiring, another does fuel system and then we get them together and post them here for approval, the more eyes the better. I could do the wiring/electrial stuff.....

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

I work at PR/IR Firm and could help in some marketing and press if this actually came to something. *I wonder if something like this has ever been done - outside of boating community even. Great example of the power of the Internet, community, and pulling different people together from various backgrounds with a common interest. *Great consumer PR angles, not just boating....

Seperately, check out this site, I have been watching him build this boat for a while. He advertises on boats.com. *

http://www.avidboats.com/

The key thing about this approach is he designed the boat and is taking orders before he actually made the hull. *

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

I liked that guy's slogan:

"Where technology meets tradition"

Hey for the center console model I could help out with marketing too. I bought the web domain www.centerconsole.com a couple years ago but I've yet to put a site up. I imagine it gets a certain amount of traffic without even advertising. I've always wanted to use it as a one stop shop for people looking to buy/sell new and used center console boats. I'm just too friggin busy to develop my dreams. Heck, I got too many dreams!

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

$3000 for the mold. But we are going to need at few mold's!!
One for the hull,
one for the CC cap,
and one for the Cuddy Cap,
Then the Molds for the floor, seat boxes, and anything else we want to mass produce.

Then were are we going to build this thing??

going to need like $500,000 just to get going!! and thats the cheap side of things!

ButI like it

Re: 1980 Welcraft Retail Price List
 

It may just be cheaper to see if wellcraft will sell the old molds and rights to the boat . They bought it back in 1970 and have made the boat for almost 10 years .