please brief me on these boats

#1 12-17-2009, 02:21 PM

Can someone please brief me on how an older 20’ Wellcraft boat performs? What is the allure? There must be something pretty special since this whole website is devoted to such craft. I have seen a couple of 20 footers on Craigslist recently. These are open fisherman, center console boats with a big bracket for the outboard. The bracket looks huge and might make an ideal dive platform. I haven’t seen one in person yet though.
One boat I may take a look at this weekend is a 1977, there is another boat available of as yet, unknown year of manufacture. Both these boat represent at least an hour drive. It is a simplistic question to ask, but are these really great hulls?
I’m a diver and boat mostly within a few miles of land here in Florida. I generally don’t like to go out if the seas kick up much. The ride in and out of the inlet can be really hairy on even a 2’ swell if the wind and tide are doing their thing. The standing wave at the mouth of some of our inlets can be really nasty.
How well do these boats perform in such conditions? If anyone can give me the heads up on what to expect to pay, that would be great too. I’m not too interested in the outboard motor at this point. I’m figuring on getting a good hull and replacing the motor pretty quickly. Is 150hp sufficient to push one of these things around? Are they any better for any reason than a more modern hull?
What are some of the things to look for in terms of what goes wrong with these boats? Are there any special inspection techniques to find hidden problems?
Anthropisces

Blue_Runner · #2 12-17-2009, 03:29 PM

Can someone please brief me on how an older 20’ Wellcraft boat performs? What is the allure? [BR] They are versatile, sexy boats. There must be something pretty special since this whole website is devoted to such craft. I have seen a couple of 20 footers on Craigslist recently. These are open fisherman, center console boats with a big bracket for the outboard. The bracket looks huge and might make an ideal dive platform. I haven’t seen one in person yet though.
One boat I may take a look at this weekend is a 1977, there is another boat available of as yet, unknown year of manufacture. Both these boat represent at least an hour drive. It is a simplistic question to ask, but are these really great hulls? [BR] No, they are sexy, great hulls.
I’m a diver and boat mostly within a few miles of land here in Florida. I generally don’t like to go out if the seas kick up much. The ride in and out of the inlet can be really hairy on even a 2’ swell if the wind and tide are doing their thing. The standing wave at the mouth of some of our inlets can be really nasty.
How well do these boats perform in such conditions? [BR] Very well but the bow can be stuffed on the right, or should I say wrong, wave. If anyone can give me the heads up on what to expect to pay, that would be great too. I’m not too interested in the outboard motor at this point. I’m figuring on getting a good hull and replacing the motor pretty quickly. Is 150hp sufficient to push one of these things around? [BR] 150hp is the standard. Are they any better for any reason than a more modern hull? [BR] 20 degree deadrise at the transom. A lot of 20 - 23 boat have less deadrise making them "pound." Also the bow flair is amazing, making it dryer than most boats in its class. What are some of the things to look for in terms of what goes wrong with these boats? [BR] The usual, soft floor around poorly sealed hatches or old screw holes. Same for transom. Are there any special inspection techniques to find hidden problems? [BR] Use inspection hatches where possible, jump up and down on the floor and stand on the skeg of the motor. Look for sponginess in the floor and fuel hatch & flex in the transom. Should make a great dive boat....my V21 was a dive boat in Florida before I got her.
Anthropisces

tsubaki · #3 12-17-2009, 03:35 PM

It's a V20 Thing, you wouldn't understand!

No really, welcome to the site!
You got too many questions at once (at least for me, Blue did good).
Look at the Gallery/History/Catalogs http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/history
About everything is in there, do forum searches for more specific stuff.
Personally I like the Cuddies over the CC,s.
These boats basically do everything you want except for flats fishing. For some people they are just too big or too small.

phatdaddy · #4 12-17-2009, 05:53 PM

anthro, i have a 84 cuddy and also dive out of it. i had a 19 mako & 21 hydro-sport before and like the wellcraft best. if your usually with four divers, i would recommend a 200 hp. i like the cuddy for diving over the center console because of the room in the rear and the storage for tanks. i put 5 in the well in the cuddy & 3 in the indeck fish box. i would also recommend a model that is self bailing(deck bails overboard, not to bilge), you might have to look up to the mid 80's to find that feature.

good luck with your quest..

nipper · #5 12-17-2009, 07:14 PM

The V20 just rides so very well. Look at the bow flare on it and you will see that you will stay dry most of the time. I have a cuddy, but do not dive (I live in freakin' Indianapolis, IN), but I would have to think that the cuddy would provide you with tons of room in which to store your and your buddies' dive gear. My cuddy is a 1991 model which is self bailing. I agree with Phat that you should look for that. It is a great feature to have other than the occasional burp of water up through the drains. Heck though, that occasional burp just helps to clean up the decks!

Skools Out · #6 12-18-2009, 12:18 AM

one warning in a head wind and rough seas they are the wettest ride on the water due to the flare they throw the water out in front of the hull then the wind will whip it up into the boat.

randlemanboater · #7 12-19-2009, 09:15 AM

My V-20 rides as good or better than my old Grady-White 25 Sailfish, and uses 1/5 the gas.