Newbie asks: Is this a good deal?

drbabe · #1 09-26-2008, 12:08 PM

We have agreed to buy a 1975 v-20 for two thousand dollars. In the few days we have before we pass papers, is there anything we should look at or consider that would make it a bad deal? The boat looks good, has a top, motor is an evinrude 115, rebuilt, with five hours on it. All new wiring, electronics, etc. Three hatch covers need rebuilding/replacing. The hatch to the cuddy needs to be repaired. All of this is work I can do myself. One of the four barstools needs to be re-seated or removed. The trailer is a double-axel 2004, looks essentially new. I've seen the receipt from the work done on the boat's electronics and motor (just over a grand's worth). The hull has evidently been recoated with something that looks like gel-coat, but may be some sort of epoxy paint. In a few places one can see old cracks, but the thing looks cherry; whoever did it was a pro. From reading around in this site, there is a consensus that, with a 115, it's slightly underpowered. Keep in mind that this will mostly be used by the little woman to go fishing with the kids, and we don't need tremendous speed. Occasional water-skiing or tubing is probable.

#2 09-26-2008, 12:30 PM

Everyone here is going to tell you to post some pics...

I would consider that under powered for water skiing. Tubing will be fine for the kids. If the engine is rebuilt and done right sounds like a good figure for the boat. Pics would help.
Good Luck

C YENSEN · #3 09-26-2008, 12:38 PM

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder......

If she looks good and you like it, I would say it is a good deal.

welcome to the site

Mulv80 · #4 09-26-2008, 12:42 PM

Sounds like a good deal to me. The 115 is the minimum hp I think for these boats but should still push her 28-30 mph I would think.
Welcome

reelapeelin · #5 09-26-2008, 01:14 PM

Have you wet-tested the boat?...put it in the water and run it around a bit?...heard the motor run?...any of that?...

The 115 will pull kids up on skis and probably a small adult up on two skis, but a large adult on a slalom will be tuff...

Post us up some pictures if ya can, but for 2 grand that includes a good trailer, you can't go too wrong...Enjoy your new "V" and welcome to V-20 World!!...

drbabe · #6 09-26-2008, 01:17 PM

Hi folks,
thanks for the input. uploading images is giving me fits. I've manged to put a couple in the user section of my profile. If repeated efforts with various sized jpegs seems hit or miss. Any suggestions? Thanks again.