Freeboard, power
 

I'm thinking about buying a v-20 cuddy but from what I've seen, the freeboard is pretty low on these boats. Is it a problem? I'll be using it in N. California for Salmon and bottomfish in the Pacific, Stripers in the Rivers, etc. Also, it seems like the standard I/O is only 4 cylinders. Is this enough power to easily get the boat on plane? Thanks in advance for your responses.

Re: Freeboard, power
 

CliffPaul - where are you located? The V20 would be perfect for Salmon Fishing, Halibut, and motoring around the Delta. I have no idea why i/o's are so popular out here . . . If you have a choice get an outboard.

Re: Freeboard, power
 

Thanks for the reply. I live in Vacaville, CA, about 45 min. SW of Sacramento. Are you a west coaster too?What would you say is the minimum HP outboard I could get by with. I'm moving up from a 17' Klamath aluminum center console that never burns more than 6 gallons of gas per trip, so MPG is going to be an eye opener for me with the bigger boat I'm sure. It's worth it, though, to have a boat that's a little better designed for the ocean.

Re: Freeboard, power
 

Hi *
I just made the move from a 16 ft center console Gruman to a 1990 V20 sport. *The V20 Sport has a 150 HP Force on it and the gas usage is quite abit different. *The tradeoff *for the ride and being able to get out on Lake Erie in rougher conditions is worth the price. *I looked for about a year for my boat. *BS turned me on to this outboard model that was located in Ohio. *I was considering an IO model but I'm very satisfied with what I have. *You'll love the ride in a V20 coming from a smaller aluminum boat. *The amount of freeboard has not been a problem either. *Bill Mc ;D

Re: Freeboard, power
 

CliffPaul,
I live in Davis, CA . . . right down the street. I moved out here back in March from Boston (my fiancee is in grad school at the university). We'll have to hookup sometime and go fishing.

Where did you find a v20 for sale around here?

Re: Freeboard, power
 

I've really just discovered this boat. I found one in SoCal on Boattrader.com. When I did a national search I was amazed at how popular they were. Do you have a V20 (maybe that's a dumb question, but you didn't really say)? Does it have an outboard? What size? I'd like to come take a look at it sometime since were practically neighbors. We can chat about what kind of fishing we might do.

Re: Freeboard, power
 

CliffPaul -
I'm still kicking myself for selling it. The v20 is one of the most popular 20ft boats (in production for 26 years @ wellcraft). They're lots of them on the east coast especially florida.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...im_bigfish.jpg

I had this v20 stepilft for two years and I sold it last fall b/c I knew I was moving cross country. It had a 200hp Yamaha on the back, which averaged around 2.8 MPG at cruising speed 30mph.

I have another "project boat" http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...t/P1010354.jpg that I'm in the process of restoring. It's a POS and I nearly towed it over to the railroad tracks on more than one occasion, but when it's finished it'll be worth it ( I hope). My fiberglass fabrication skills are rapidly improving and I hope to have this boat finished in fall.

I know the boat your talking about on traderonline. The boat looks really sweet in the pictures and appears to be well care for . . .

Anyway . . . I'd love to meet up and talk boats/fishing sometime. Shoot me an email [email protected]


Here's a few links that might interest you.
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/...num=1087168000
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/cgi-bin/...num=1081210804

Re: Freeboard, power
 

If you want a gas sippin' V-20, find one that needs repowering and hang a 4-stroker(min 150 IMHO) on it...I think my new Honda is MAKIN' gas...I would be lookin' for a '77 or later, cause that's when Wellcraft went to gas tank in the floor...I think most everybody will agree the old saddle tanks are a big PITA$$...

Good luck in your search(I'd hold out for an outboard, too)...take your time, and from what I've seen, the folks on this site will help you in any way they can short of givin' you their girlfriend's private number...

Re: Freeboard, power
 

Thanks for the replies fellas. Which 26 years was this boat made? Why did they quit making it? Were there any other significant changes over the years besides the gas tank? I'm definitely going to start looking for a gem. I have a boat now, so I'm not in a hurry, but I'd definitely like to move to a larger boat and the v20 sounds and looks perfect.

Reelapeelin - Have you measured the mileage with the four stroke?

Re: Freeboard, power
 

CP2...no, I haven't measured fuel consumption(don't have a flo-scan), but mainly we are still propping the motor...19 pitch is next try...used to have '86 carbed 150 Evinrude; great performance, ran like bat outta hell til the day she died, but gas suckin' fool, sucked insects and small birds into the vents at WOT!!

Honda won't move the gas gauges...I'll keep postin' til we get the prop right