New member...New boat (to us anyway!)

[Coz]

1986 Wellcraft V20 Cuddy Inboard/Outboard
350 Chevy engine (I think) with Mercruiser outdrive
huge fantail
radar
setup for trawling

In 1999 the previous owner removed the cap and replaced all of the wood. I could not find ANY soft spots in the floor. It is solid as can be. It does need a little work here and there, has a few dings and dents.

It even came with the shop manual, the receipts when the boat was originally purchased, all of the books that came with it originally.

Bought it Tuesday. Took it out twice so far. Runs great.

[spoggy]

Originally Posted by Coz

1986 Wellcraft V20 Cuddy Inboard/Outboard
350 Chevy engine (I think) with Mercruiser outdrive
huge fantail
radar
setup for trawling

In 1999 the previous owner removed the cap and replaced all of the wood. I could not find ANY soft spots in the floor. It is solid as can be. It does need a little work here and there, has a few dings and dents.

It even came with the shop manual, the receipts when the boat was originally purchased, all of the books that came with it originally.

Bought it Tuesday. Took it out twice so far. Runs great.

So, I'm a Nawthren boy, just what am I looking at? I can see an interestingly rigged radome, what appear to be port and starboard bicycle lock posts and the worlds biggest casting deck? Are the bicycle thingies for outriggers? And, is the big deck for hauling in nets?
Don't get me wrong, I think it's pretty cool, I've just never seen anything like it before.
And, as an aside, Welcome to the Group!

[Coz]

Thanks!

Yeah, I was not too thrilled with the radar installation. I think I will look for a better solution than that mast. (any suggestions?)

Those posts are for the lines for the trawl. It was a large net behind the boat instead of the wing nets on either side. The deck was for retrieving the net and the boards that hold it open.

I have used it as a casting deck as you suggested. Also it was a good place for my son to put on the water skis before departing the boat the first time.

[Destroyer]

Hi Coz. Glad to see you finally made it. Welcome aboard.

You have some really interesting things there.

It even came with the shop manual, the receipts when the boat was originally purchased, all of the books that came with it originally.

That may be unique to this site. If you ever get the chance, Could you please make a copy of the manual and post it to this site so it won't be lost to posterity?

This is just a guess, but I think the poles on the sides are for support of a crossbar that held a reel that the net was wrapped around. The netter would stand on the rear deck, the reel would winch in the net and the fish would be dragged up onto that deck where they would be removed. Anyways, that's just my theory based on how I see things arraigned on the boat. But you can see that the PO was a practical man not interested in looks, just function. And as Engineers all know, form follows function. He needed radar.. up went the mast. Wanted shade, up went his version of a bimini. Needed a place to land the fish.. rear deck. Way to haul in hundreds of pounds of fish and a place to store the net..? Put up a reel. See? Anyways, that's my fantasy of how he placed things and why.

As to the radar mast, you can put up an arch or switch out that 2x4 for a Fiberglass or Stainless Steel pole. If it were me I'd go with some form of an arch.

[cfelton]

Welcome Coz! That's an interesting V you have there. It looks to be in great shape. Never seen one set up quite like that, neat! I've always wanted to try pulling a small shrimp net in the sound, never got around to it. Good luck with your V!

[RWilson2526]

Originally Posted by spoggy

what appear to be port and starboard bicycle lock posts !

Got a laugh out of that....exactly what I was thinking. No doubt "function" is the key on that baby. Welcome to the site.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Those posts and deck were mostly likely used for hauling a trawl net. That big deck with heavy posts screams out shrimp trawling to me. As well as the fact the deck is long enough to get back behind the prop as to not tangle the nets in the prop when hauling. You can even see the rope guide i nthe bottom right of the 3rd pic.

[Coz]

Yep! Shrimp trawling is what it was doing. Southeastern Louisiana here.

I will look for some type of arch to replace that aluminum mast. Would that be something for me to custom-make, or can you guys recommend a commercial product?

[Coz]

Hi Destroyer! Thanks!

I will see about firing up the scanner and getting the manual loaded.

[SkunkBoat]

Looks familiar I think I saw it posted here before?