Considering buying v20 project in NC

Hello,

I found a 1985 V20 cuddy for sale on Craigslist in Raleigh, NC, and am seeking opinions and facts about what it would take to restore her. The boat is here: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/3046699765.html.

My goal is to restore the boat and use it for inshore/nearshore fishing and family fun.

I don't know much about the boat in general, but upon Googling the boat model I found this site and community around V20s. I love the boat lines and flared bow and am considering taking on the restoration project. It will be my first project, but I've got to start somewhere. I expect to handle much of the restoration work on my own, and hopefully not spend more than $4-5k on her over the next year to get her up to speed.

The good: The boat was primarily used in fresh water. Hull is solid and unpainted, and stringers appear solid on inspection and tapping them with a mallet. The transom doesn't budge when I rock the engine. The dual axle trailer is in decent shape.

The bad: Based on a read of the forums, it's already looking like the boat's problem areas are typical. It's been sitting unattended for 6-8 years. The deck has soft spots around the captains chair. Most concerning though is the soft foredeck above the cuddy. It flexes really easily when I push on it and I wouldn't consider standing on it as is. This flex causes the windshields to flex also. Also, the engine ran when he last pulled the boat, but it doesn't run now and the steering cable is frozen at the engine. The engine is a 200HP Johnson (though the add says 150 evinrude)


I'm throwing out these details to see if anyone on the forum has suggestions about whether the boat is beyond restoration due to the soft condition of the foredeck. I'm most concerned about the hull and deck, as the look of the hull is why I'm interest in the boat. I'm open to repowering, as long as I can make the hull solid and seaworthy.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.