acquiring V20 in near future (need info)

[redfish chaser]

I am buying a V20 next month, its a v-6 i/o and I would like to go to outboard. The transom sounds alright when knocked on but the main stringers sound like they are hollow. So I am figuring I will have to go down to the skin and start over. What do ya'll think about not removing the stringer totally since it still has good adhesion to the skin and glassing in another stringer outboard of the original? (just an idea). Next question, (Outboards and the brackets), i/o transoms seem to have less meat than outboard transoms since the load on i/o's is transmitted directly to the stringers. I would have to guess wood and glass total redo with wood coverage 100% across entire transom to support the engine change. I have a 2001 yamaha 150 that I was thinking about using on this project. I would guess the power is high enough since these boats were rated around 175 or 200 if I remember correctly. Those ratings were given during a time when outboard HP was head rated. So 200 HP back then would have been around 150 - 160 HP. I have a few other questions and comments but I have to run for now. All advice accepted with great appreciation and I thank ya'll in advance.

[Skools Out]

you can do as the new boats are drill a hole and fill the currently glass stringers with foam and not worry about the wood, that's how new boats and now done they build glass stringers and foam fill them once glassed in. just and easier option.

[macojoe]

A bracket and a `150 is a perfect set up for this boat!

[redfish chaser]

Thanks, Skools out, I had not even considered that option. I would have to guess some sizeable enough opening would have to be made to removed the decayed matter. Either by some type of rod to break it up the suck out with shop vac or something of that nature. I know a website to get the 2-part mix. Tell me, I have never been under the floor of a V20, are all the voids between stringers, tanks and bulkheads foam filled? If not I would consider filling them just for extra insurance. The goal for this boat is to be my offshore/ coastal fishing machine. My current fishing machine is a 20' custom aluminum I built to fish up to 10-miles out in the gulf of mexico and the shallows in the marsh. It only has a 6" vee so its ride is compromised in the big water, but she can get on plane in 12", run in 4" all day long and if I really want to push it 0" for about 500', but I need water on the other side to get cooled off. The marsh fishing part is getting replaced by a flat with an air-cooled surface drive. I consider myself lucky, I put roughly 125-150 hours on my motor every year, that translates into a lot of fishing. And this V20 will see just as much use, so I want to do quality work on her so maintenance is minimized.

[redfish chaser]

Thanks for the thumbs up on the setup. It saves me some money since I already own the outboard and trust it. I really like this site, I am new to it, and have not read all the posts but will so I can minimize redundant questions. The Alpha one and v-6 that is coming out will be available some time in the future. The only info I have is maybe a bad head. I turned the crank from the belt pulley so its free, and I need to inspect the drive to represent its condition properly.

[phatdaddy]

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...ot_the_rot_out

this is vic's pics of rotten stringers and what to expect. i think he glassed in new wood, the encapsalated, but foam would be easier.

[redfish chaser]

Thanks Phatdaddy,

Those pics provided the insight I needed to get a handle on the project. I don't know what ya'll call those fish the kids have, we call them chicken dolphin. They are great fun, the leaps and fast runs are a hoot. Really good pan seared on my dinner plate too. Check out the fishing and recipe catagories I posted the results of some redfishing trips and a recipe for a shrimp dish.

redfish chaser