Hello V20 owners,
I'm officially announcing the launch of my 86 Wellcraft 18' makeover/resto (Low budget). I'd like to tap into the wealth of knowledge and experience the members of this sight have made available to me.
I am very happy with my 18. But as I have gone through the site it is clear that she is not the offshore fishing platform that you V20 skippers justly praise.
The 18 Fisherman @ 14 degrees doesn't have the dead-rise that the V20 has and so the ride suffers as the sea kicks up (pounds at speed). On a positive note Her beam @ 7'9 makes it very stable when drifting or trolling. Her shallow draft @ 16" also lets me get into some pretty short water.
I will use her to dive and fish as well as act as the mothership for the family's other water activities (jet ski, tubes, beach, fireworks).
This is the only forum I am active in and I am new to talking to others over the Internet. I would appreciate any help in making sure I don't step on any toes and any tips on Internet edicate would be well received.
Now down to business.
The first task I am tackling is the trailer (old-school Shorelander). I got it from ebay ($200) and it was originally set up for a sailboat. The frame, suspension and bearings/hubs were sound. It came with two dry tires and a new spare.
At 1st attempt I got the boat to fit, launch and recover. That worked for the 1st season but I to had back too far down the ramp to float the boat (I just about had to sink my truck). The boat was sitting to high.
As luck would have it I found a picture on ebay of the same model trailer set up for a powerboat so I tried to duplicate it as best as possible (without spending money).
1. I shortened the brackets that attached the roller trucks to the frame.
2. I moved the brackets w/rollers back 10.5" on the frame.
3. I switched the brackets to the outside of the frame.
4. I moved the axel/chassis back on the frame 10.5" to correct the tounge weight.
5. I moved the fenders down to the lower set of mounting holes.
6. I replaced the winch mount with a new one (ebay $24.00 w/ship) kicked it back the 10.5" and loaded the spool w/ a new seat belt type of loading strap and hook.
7. Then I adjusted the height and position of the two extra-wide rollers that were formally used to support the massive keel of the sailboat.
I still need two tires, light set (LED), Tongue wheel/lift, Brake work, spare tire mount and loading guides. Then clean and paint.
For now it supports the boat. I mounted up a ball on a retired lawn tractor and can maneuver the boat in and out of my shop to work on at will.
I got her about 6" lower and back about a foot. I hope the pics show the difference. The darker pics are the before and the sunny ones are the after. Sorry to make this so long I just wanted to give the 1st post of this thread an introduction.
stay tuned for bOat WoRkiN to come.
