Tough decision

[nipper]

Ladies and Gentlemen: Please help me with m y conundrum. I own two boats, and therefore have 2 holes in the water into which I am pouring money. The first boat is a 1984 Formula Sunsport 220. The Formula is a very nice 20' boat with a huge cuddy, but not much cockpit room. It has a sweet Chvey v8 (350 c.i./265 h.p.) which runs very well. It has always been a lake boat. Interior is servicable, but needs to be upgraded. It has a fiberglass floor with snap-on carpeting. The cuddy interior is fine the way it is. The cuddy interior includes a sink and portable head, along with an AM/FM cassette stereo and equalizer. My wife and I bought the Formula, used, in or about 1997. We are only the second owners. All mechanical systems are ok. It sits on a 1985 Shorelander (painted) trailer, with 2 axles. There is some rust on the trailer which will need attention in the not too distant future. The surge brakes on the trailer are currently inoperable. The boat has full canvas in excellent condition, and a mooring cover, but no road/layup cover. This has been an excellent, reliable and fast boat over the years. It does about 50-55 mph. It is not the greatest ski boat because it makes a monster size wake. In a similar vein, it is not the greatest fishing boat because it has very high sides.

Now to the point of interest for you folks. I also own a 1990 Wellcraft V20 I/O (Chevy V6/Mercuriser sterndrive) which I inherited from my deceased father. I would like to say it is bristol as it was when my father was able to operate it, but, sadly, it is not, currently. The passenger side lounge seat needs to be replaced. Otherwise, the interior looks great. It has full canvas, all of which is in good shape. No road/storage cover (the last one I bought has ripped). The cuddy interior cushions are in great shape.

The last time I fired up the Wellcraft, it ran, but not well. It seemed to be loading up with fuel, and I noticed coolant/washer coming from one of the freeze plugs. The Wellcraft has not been run on a regular basis since 2003. The power trim/tilt also seemed to quit on me (even after checking all possible fuses). I have winterized the boat religiously, and recently had it in for replacement of a lower unit part and tune-up (fall, 2005). The shop folks have told me I have bad, old fuel, even though I have been using all available storage/refreshing chemicals. They're wrong on at least one front, because the motor will operate somewhat OK in forward, but not at all in reverse; drop it in reverse, and it immediately dies.

When I inherited the V20, I intended to sell my Formula, but I kept both for several seasons. The Wellcraft is a better all around boat with its large cockpit, great chop handling, and relatively low freeboard. On athe other hand, the Formula has a much larger cabin for our infrequent overniters, is faster, and, quite frankly, is currently in good operating condition vs. the V20. Because of recent circumstances, which include the need for some bucks to get one or the other of the boats in great condition, and decreased boat usage (due to umpteen baseball/soccer/football games per week with my 3 kids), I want to hold one and get rid of the other. Any thoughtful responses to my conundrum would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. The V20 is sitting on a 2002 "5 Starr" galvanized, double axle trailer in great condition. Again, any advice is welcome. Thanks, and have a pleasant day.

[Seacrets]

That Formula is built like a rock, but with the V20 you'll have a very good fishing boat with plenty of power to pull a tube or skier. You will however have a difficult time overnighting in a V20 with 3 children. It's got a good trailer, needs some motor attention and some seat replacement (a large beach towel can cover alot). Just like motors, it's personal preference and filling your needs. Good luck with your decision.

if it were me, i would stick that 350 in the v20 and go fishing. but, sounds like the easiest thing is to keep the formula. sounds like you dont have a lot of time on ur hands. and if you mostly pleasure boat with the family the larger cuddy gotta be nice. of course, i am partial to the v20's. i think they are great boats. but, so are many others. if you are happy with the formula the way it is you can swap the trailers and go about ur buisness. but, a v20 with a 350! what a sweet rig. couple guys running them here. and they are very happy boaters. i am not helping, am i?

tell ya what, keep the formula and part out the v20! i,ll send you a list of what i need for my katrina ravaged vessel,lol. seriously, if you decide to sell/part oout, let me know. but that is a decision you have to make. i tell you this. if you keep the v, many peeps here that will help you out tremendously. welcome to the site and post some pics. we like pics!

[macojoe]

The first thing you have to decide is what do you want??

A fishing boat or a family boat??

Then the decision will be easy!!

The V20 would be a great boat to convert to outboard, Just fill the hole add bracket and a nice 150 to 200 hp outboard (200 for sking & tubing)

If using in the salt, run the painted trailer till she is shot, then go wit a nice Galv trailer, and no worry about the brakes!! They are very over rated!

The V20 will be a good fishing ski tube boat for you to have all the fun you want!
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But on the other hand if you want a nice boat to keep the wife happy were she can go to the head and relax down below then this is the boat to have!!

High sides are great for keeping the kids in the boat! Gives a great ride with lots of comfort!!
Takes the ruff sea much better then the V20!

and as said is ready for the water! This a plus!

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So for comfort and ruff seas and the kids stay with the Formula


for fishing and fun stay with the V20


Not sure I have helped?? But good luck!

[msbhammer]

Post PICS. of the V-20. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[LESTERUS]

NIPPER:

IF YOU DECIDE TO GET RID OF YOU V-20 LET ME HAVE A SHOT AT IT, I HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME BOAT WITH THE SAME ENGINE/OUTDRIVE BUT 1979, I'D OWN IT FOR 22 EARS, I'D LIKE TO UP GRADE.

CAN WE HAVE SOME PICS TO HELP YOU DECIDE?

I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING THRU, I HAD A SILVERTON
40' WITH A/C, FLAT SCREEN TV'S FULLY LOADED, BUT WITH THE PRICE OF GAS, AND MARINA'S COST, I HAD TO GET RID OF IT.

LESTERUS

back off les, i asked first,lol

[LESTERUS]

OK!! BUT I THOUGTH YOU WERE THE CAPT. ON THE "NO-BUCKS FISHING TEAM"

[nipper]

Thanks for the opinions offered re: my problem/decision. I do not think I am nearly as mechanically inclined as many of you seem to be. In other words, any engine/outdrive work would need to be done by a mechanic. I can handle the cosmetic stuff. The huge cuddy on the Formula is no longer a real need for my family. We are really not doing any more overniters. It is basically a huge storage area, but one which makes the cockpit of the boat rather small. I can fish in the Formula because of the fiberglass floor (snap out the carpet), but it has really high freeboards. it is also easier to walkaround the windshield of the Formula than it is to get on deck of the V20 through the cuddy.

I do have a portapotty in the V20, and I kind of get a kick out of my wife using it with the cuddy door closed but with her head sticking out of the open deck hatch!! All in all, I would like to keep the V20 for many reasons, including the sentimental attachment to it as being my Dad's former boat. I took delivery of it with him from a Boston dealer, took it out through Boston Harbour, and then down south to Scituate, MA. My wife and I also took the V20 with my Dad from Scituate, across Massachusetts Bay, to Provincetown. Even with big lazy swells and the ocassional surfacing whale, we never felt unsafe. Those V20's have great seakeeping abilities in my mind. The Formula handles rough seas nicely (Atlantic ocean/Lake Erie/Lake Michigan), but it tends to either wallow just off plane, or, once on plane, start taking off like a bat out of hell with the associated pounding in rough seas.

Thanks again for your past and future thoughts.