New owner - any startup advice?

[scook]

I just acquired a 1985 V-20 (built August '84). The previous owner fished the boat in California, brought it to Oregon, had some work done on it and after the engine quit (in the Columbia River), he decided to buy a new boat. He was offered a low trade-in, and decided to send it to a good home (me) instead. He says he loved the boat and that it handled better in the ocean than his new 23' Striper.

I haven't gotten the manuals and misc. paperwork yet, but want to start looking it over for needed repairs. I would welcome any comments, e.g. are there wood stringers in the hull, are they a problem, if so, are they repairable, was the fiberglass good when this boat was built . . . are there any things that I should pay particular attention to? Is this an "unsinkable" boat? If not, can foam be added?

The hull looks very good (very few little dings), has no bottom paint, and was recently cleaned. The cockpit has a lot of holes with no screws in them, some of the wood is loose or gone (I can fix that), the electronics are old (I'll get specifics on that) and the engine will get a going over.

I'll try to get some photos to post.

It sounds like some of you guys know these boats pretty well. I'm no boat expert, but I think the hull is a thing of beauty - looks like it should ride smooth and have a very dry ride. I'm really anxious to get it out in the ocean and catch some Salmon, but I want to be able to come back too.

Thanks for any help.