New to the v20 forum

[Macrenovations]

New to the v20 forum just wanted to introduce my-self and say thanks in advance because I'll need it..

Last week picked up a 1973 v20 steplift with a 140 V4 Johnson. The owner was going to trash the boat and just sell the trailer for 800.00 But I just could not let him destroy that old girl. Brought her home to meet the wife ((surprise))). Have the whole boat stripped down and getting it ready for paint , Wiring ,well everything. For the most part the hull and transom are in good shape just a ton of screw holes to repair and a few cracks. Being a contractor it amazes me that very few people will take that extra time to do it right but have plenty of time to fix the same thing over and over...I am looking for a Newer windshield if anyone knows where to find one.Tried E-bay and some local boat yards...Will post pic soon... Thanks for a great forum Ken

[Destroyer]

Hi Ken, welcome to the site. Look up Lumberslinger.. you guys can trade ideas since he's also a contractor. I think I know the boat you bought, saw the same ad and was saddened to think she was going to be scrapped. Glad you've given her new life. If you need anything, just ask.. I'm confident that someone here can point you in the right direction.. there's a wealth of knowledge available here.. all yours for the asking. These are great people to be around..

[nipper]

Was that the one in the Craigslist Ad where the guy said he was moving and had to get rid of it by 8/15?

[Macrenovations]

Not sure if it was the one on Craigs List but the owner was going to scrap the boat and sell the trailer.I'd rather sell or scrap the trailer and put the money into the V20 any day.Everyone around here thinks I've lost my mind again...We'll see besides I like making people eat their words.....Thanks for all help////

[tsubaki]

Welcome to the site!


Do we get any pictures?

[lumberslinger178]

mac look forward to seeing the pics, where abouts do you do most of your work?

welcome aboard.

[Macrenovations]

Here are a few more pic. Going to pull the motor and really check out the transom seems to be all right but not great...Does anyone have pic of the second sliding door for the cabin trying to make one or buy..Thanks Again Ken

[lumberslinger178]

looks like your doing it right so far , stripping the boat ,cleaning and inspecting everything. thats the way I'd do it.

[Macrenovations]

Question on the transom? Pulled the motor and the transom seems very soid but the previous owner installed a back plate as seen in pic just a junk peace and not the right size and it crushed the inside of the transom about 1/8'' in would I be able to install a larger u-shaped peace and make the glass repair.Or should I just rebuild the whole transom because the being a 73...Thanks again

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Macrenovations

Question on the transom? Pulled the motor and the transom seems very soid but the previous owner installed a back plate as seen in pic just a junk peace and not the right size and it crushed the inside of the transom about 1/8'' in would I be able to install a larger u-shaped peace and make the glass repair.Or should I just rebuild the whole transom because the being a 73...Thanks again

Dry wood lasts a looooooong time. There are buildings that are over a hundred years old that are still standing. Just because your boat is a 73 doesn't mean it's time to replace everything. Test first.


3 simple tests for your transom

1) TAP the entire transom area with the back end of a screwdriver or use a rubber mallet. I prefer the hard tap of a screwdriver, other's prefer the thunk of the mallet. Either way is good. What you are listening for is a hollow sound. If you find an area that sounds hollow it's an indication of possible trouble.

2) FLEX Lift your motor to trailer position, then pull up and push down on
the lower unit while observing the transom. It should be rock solid and not flex. If it does you have a problem.

3) DRILL a small hole anyplace that sounded hollow in the tap test. Look at the wood chips that come out. If they look like good wood you're ok. If it looks like mush or oatmeal or rotted wood, you have a problem area.

4) SCAN Ok, ok, I know I said there were 3 tests, but there's a 4th way of testing also. If you have it available*, you can use something called thermal imaging. In industry we use it all the time to detect where there are leaks on built up roofs of buildings. After being in the sun all day, at night places where water is present will cool at a different rate than places where there is solid wood or metal. That difference will show on a thermal scan as different colors. So you use a thermal camera to scan the transom and it will show you any temp differences in the transom as color changes. Since water is a better conductor of heat then air, wet areas will cool faster than dry areas. Blue & green colors will be cool areas that are wet and reds and yellows will be warmer areas that are solid wood. You have to do the scan just after sundown as the transom is starting to cool down for the night.

*Remember, I'm talking about a $2000+ industrial camera, not something you buy at Harbor Freight for $39.99.