1979 V20, new owner

OhioV20 · #1 07-23-2019, 11:50 AM

Picked up this boat for the 4th of July weekend from a local boat mechanic who had replaced the motor with a 200 hp Mercruiser sterndrive from 1989. The hull sounded fine when tapped from the outside looking for rotten wood especially the transom. I probably wasn’t as thorough as I would have been inspecting the boat, and though I was told by the merchant the motor beds and stringers were fine, the transom wood is wet but not rotted but there is definitely rot in the stringers accessible in the cuddy when I took the carpet out. The transom is solid though wet. Also, there is the lack of scupper drainage from the ddck and the small holes go to the bilge, with only a small bilge pump. The hull is pretty but I’m wondering if since this will be a Lake Erie boat: a) sell it b) use it near shore during the warmer months with two large bilge pumps and a second battery then raise the deck, fix the stringers and transom this winter c) park it and use another boat until I can make repairs.

I can’t find a thread for a cuddy/sterndrive boat for these repairs but only for an outboard transom (Skunk’s) and have read that. I have a place to do the repairs this winter and the skills and tools to do the work. What would be the value of a restored V20 etc comes into play as I have a Boston Whaler Outrage 19 project to do and a 2005 Carolina Skiff 24’. I’m retired and not strapped for cash but I was hoping to use this boat for awhile and then sell it but not “stick” someone else with it.

phatdaddy · #2 07-23-2019, 06:08 PM

Welcome to the crew. I m speaking from a florida viewpoint, so keep that in mind. An I/O is not worth much down here anymore, so i would put as little effort and cash in that as possible. I would concentrate on the whaler and skiff. No doubt the V is probably the best riding of the three.

If you really want a cuddy,and were going to replace transom and stringers, i d find a bracket and convert to an outboard.

Whatever you do, keep us posted

OhioV20 · #3 07-24-2019, 06:40 AM

Thank you for the feedback PD. Yes, I am from the Outer Banks and outboards are more popular there as well. In Ohio, there are lots of Mercruiser/kicker rigs on the lake. On the positive side, I’ve taken it out half a dozen times and can’t seem to fit more than two gallons of fuel in the tank afterward, which I would burn warming up an outboard. And I have a mechanic friend that can yank an engine in twenty minutes and source a used replacement for a few hundred dollars. Used outboards are pricey, even old two strokes. Also, the hull has a pleasant retro look, especially after removing the orange/brown stripe. I also like the cuddy for throwing “stuff” in without cluttering the deck, and it seems to ride well though a bit bow up.

For resale I can see that removing the I/O, all the wood except the gunwales, raising the deck, adding scuppers, closing off the bilge, and adding a bracket and an old redone outboard would be a good route. The boat’s design encourages dampness to sit in the bilge and rot the organic core material even if stored inside.

OhioV20 · #4 07-31-2019, 09:02 AM

After using the boat half a dozen times I have decided to keep it. The PO is a mechanic and will help with any propulsion or mechanical issues and says the hull should be solid for a few more years, also he has free indoor winter storage for it to work on. I really like the ride, if it’s bumpy out I just put the bow up and slow down and there is no pounding, so I don’t understand the pounding complaints others have written about. Perhaps they try to run the boat too fast for conditions? Also, the fuel economy of the 200 HP Mercruiser is impressive and there is tons of storage in the cuddy, besides the GF likes the boat and doesn’t want me to sell it.

Therefore the upgrades begin! Two 3000 GPH bilge pumps seems like a lot? Is there a way to put scuppers out the side instead of raising the deck for now? Time to start reading the mods section and I will post pictures along the way.

Oh, found some plastic side louvers for $5 at the local boat shop Pier 58, I think Sea Choice makes them, the old ones were thrashed. And adding some in-gunwale rod holders today.

phatdaddy · #5 07-31-2019, 06:17 PM

besides the GF likes the boat and doesn t want me to sell it.

there the best reason in the world to do anything. i imagine the I/O would ride very well with the engine and fuel tank so low.

not sure about running drains out the side, i think the deck is below the waterline. i would worry more about the bellows than the deck drains. make sure their in good shape

no leaks, no drips, no errors

Pipe_Dream · #6 08-01-2019, 09:45 AM

Really great to hear!

Whereabouts in the big O are you?

cmk245 · #7 08-16-2019, 08:59 AM

Hey, STILL trying to get the correct info. on the Louvers you got from Pier58 Marine Staore.

Even contacted them and they gave me wrong part numbers, even with your pic. I sent them.

Anyway you could send me the CORRECT Part Numbers from the "Black Louvers" you used on you V20?
Would be much Appreciated......

Thanks,Charlie

Destroyer · #8 08-17-2019, 08:36 PM

Glad you're keeping her. They really are a great boat. I have (2) 2000gph bilge pumps in my boat, one forward and one aft. Don't think the forward one has ever come on. Seems like more than enough. And I boat in Lake Ontario in the fall a lot for Salmon and Steelhead, as well as in the ocean.