[Pipe_Dream]

Sorry I just saw your post -- was out of town for a few days. I had no V-20 experience before I operated this boat at work, but the more I ran her the more I came to appreciate the hull design. As far as ownership, the company no longer needed her and my boss made me an offer I couldn't refuse. The boat was VERY rough but useable, so I took her. I knew the day would come when I would have to make a re-power decision, but some local mechanics helped to keep that day at bay. They called my old Evinrude the "miracle motor." It just kept going. My wife and I discussed our options over the past couple of years, and she was for re-powering all along (as opposed to buying another boat), even though the boat was a beater. I, on the other hand, explored my options, but I didn't find anything else that I liked any better, so I got quotes for the refit, picked my favorite based on price and seeing his previous work, and dove in.
One thing that helped me make the decision to keep & refit her is that my wife and I had our first date onboard her -- it was a blind date, a mutual friend set us up -- and the majority of our dating days were spent onboard! The Pipe Dream is a part of our family, and hopefully will be for a long time to come.
(sorry to go so long on this post, but it's a favorite topic of mine so thanks for asking!)