Is there wood construction in all V-20's

I have an 85' 180 Elite (Full of wood) and I have always wanted to get a V-20. Does anyone know if they went to a non wood stringer/transon set up in the later years. If they did, what years did they start making them that way. I would like to avoid some of the nagging problems I have expierenced with my 180 Elite.



Thanks,

Mark

[THEFERMANATOR]

As far as I know they used wood all the way on up through into the V-21's. Wood has still proven to be one of the best coring materials out there for boat construction. What kind of issues have you had?

[cterrebonne]

wood is awesome, only simple maintenence is involed to make it last at least 30years.

30 years,, great! Since most of the boats I am looking at are 23 to 25 years old that means im good for at least 3 years!

I would agree with you that maintenance is the key. If I was the original owner this would be true. Now I just need to find a boat owner as anal as I am.

Thanks for the reply.

Mark

That 23+3=30 is fuzy math.

I have an I/O on the Elite 180. The front engine mounts to a plywood incapsulated base attached with wood screws. By the way when the wood screws turn freely Dont take any long offshore trips. Water gets down through the screws and rots out the base. Then the motor drops to the bottom of the boat. Then the engine gets out of alighnment and eats up your coupler. Then you pull the motor out and put in a new base. We used a high density foam and sandwiched about 10 pieces like a loaf of bread. We then put an aluminum plate on the top and glassed in the whole thing after tapping the aluminum. Should be a permanent fix.


I am sure not an issue on the outboards.

[Steplift 72']

Originally Posted by murmrk

30 years,, great! Since most of the boats I am looking at are 23 to 25 years old that means im good for at least 3 years!

I would agree with you that maintenance is the key. If I was the original owner this would be true. Now I just need to find a boat owner as anal as I am.

Thanks for the reply.

Mark

I've seen 20 year old boats with structural wood as solid as day 1, but.....

I bought a beautiful 5 year old Grady White in 96'....without a blemish that had the main stringers totally rotted around the main gas tank compartment. I believe when sitting on the trailer it held just enough water below the tank to make that area like a sauna, just right for rot. All other structural wood was sound. Changed it out a great trouble and expense....then kept the boat very bow high and drain plug out on the trailer.

I also believe all V-20's have structural wood in the bulkheads, stringers, transom, and floor. The condition probably depends on how well the wood has been kept dry.