3 questions from a newb/ non-owner/ owner 2 be?

[thatblueguy]

Hello all... I have really enjoyed reading through this forum and I am quite impressed at the following the V-20 has amassed. I imagine many of the members here enjoy the V-20 for the same reasons that I am drawn to it... great for family and fishing, versatile in its operating environments, and from what I can tell, is a reliable well-built boat. Even though I spend a good 15 minutes a day searching through craigslist for used V-20s and gathering as much info as I can from this site, I am not really planning on purchasing one until next spring. I am not too excited about buying used, but well, it’s the V-20, and I think if I do enough research, know what to expect, and am patient enough to wait for the right one, I should be ok.

Looking at this future purchase objectively, I have come up with some questions that I have not been able to answer yet, and I am hoping that the community here might be able to help…

First off, any ideas on why Wellcraft discontinued the V-20/21 line?

Question B, I have heard that a used boat is like a hole you just through money into. Everyone here with a V-20 has a used boat, so really, do you feel like the cost/benefit ratio plays in your favor?

And #3, has anyone had any serious regrets with buying their V-20?

[RWilson2526]

#1: I guess Wellcraft can answer for sure, it would be interesting to see if sales numbers progressively dropped off year after year....but after making a boat for 26 years its not surprising that a company would make a change in design finally. I would expect that boat manufacturers are constantly pressured (like car mfg's) to change design most time probably just for the sake of change. I dont think I would consider it a bad thing that after 26 years Wellcraft finally retired a mold.

I think a boat in general is something you throw money at , not just a used boat. My boat appears structurally sound and the motor is running well. The only money I throw at it now is adding and customizing to make it more functional for me and to be honest I only do it because its fun. If I was short on cash I dont feel I need anything for my V right now other than gas and oil. (knock on wood). And alternately buying a new boat?....considering the depreciation and the fact there is no guarantee your boating with be trouble free I personally cant justify spending $30K on something that I can only realistically use 30 times or so a year (but thats just me)

no regrets so far! couldnt be happier. Would I like a bigger boat someday? maybe but for a 20' easily trailerable boat that is inexpensive to maintain and operate I'm pretty content.

[shubey61]

Hi, welcome to the site! I myself have gained a ton a of knowledge on these boats on this site, great bunch of people on here. I know i lucked out when I bought mine last year, 1990 one owner boat with light use. My only regret is that I didn't buy one sooner! Just keep lookin cause there is some deals out there, & good luck!

[nymack66]

My honest 2 cents,
I love my V will not give it up for any thing currently on the market for under 30k
As for ownership and cost its basically cheap to own and maintained compared to most hull out there, aesthetics is what kills you, on the V the it can and will run BARE BONE !
Learn Learn Learn the more you can fix just like a home you will save and the knowledge is priceless.
My initial ownership was costly simply because I brought from a boat flipper (never do this) he bastardise the package and dump it on me, anyway a private seller is your best bet.
Bring a professional mechanic with you BEFORE the purchase you will thank me later.
Patience is your best friend during down time.
The Guys on here will make owing a V a lot easier

[bradford]

I think Wellcraft has gone the way of American auto manufacturers. Selling chinsy plastic looking crap with options like lighted cup holders to the boat show crowd instead of building solid no frills well designed fishing/diving hulls.

Any boat is gonna cost you money. You can get a V20 in good shape for less than the first years depreciation on a new boat. Plus your V20 will turn heads of those who know and those that don't, unlike all those new boats that come out looking like some 3 year old kid's bath tub toy.

I don't have any regrets about buying my old girl, though I think it's good you're not in a rush. Look on here at what different people have and think about what you're really looking for. My next V20 will be an old 1960's Alim hull with an enclosed transom or a Sea-drive model from Wellcraft. Not really a regret, just something I would have done different.

[Blue_Runner]

I would not own another boat in the 20/21 ft size range. For the money it is the best value in my opinion. Plus you have your very own support team online! Can't beat it.

Like they've said, any boat is a hole in the water to throw money into. Its a matter of how much you want to throw. You'd be very lucky to own any boat for more than a couple years and never have to B-O-A-T (bust out another thousand).

As you said, be patient, check those floors and transoms religiously. If you are smart with it you can't go wrong.

[macojoe]

They disconnected the hull and tried to re introduce it in 03 I think?? But it failed as the only thing that the new bloat had in common was the name.
Like stated above they went for the plastic look and it really turned out bad with that ero-transom.
i don't think they could make it the old way, with new looks, with out pricing them selfs out of the market ?

Used boats are a hole in the water, Hmm they all are new or old!! But if you look around and get a good hull you will b e fine. Its not the boat but the motor is were the money starts piling up!
A new power is going to be $10K to $15K+ and plenty of maintenance! And thats the case new or used.

Regrets, I had my boat 9 years and added a lot of cash because of power. As far as the boat goes it was a great boat been many places that other 20 footers would not dare to go! Took a 10 foot wave and stayed a float and made it home!!
The only reason I sold it was I just out grew it, I commercial fish and bigger, if I was to ever down size I would buy another with out a problem.

[Blue_Runner]

Yep the motor is where the money is. I like to fish in the ocean so in '05 I installed a brand new 150 yamaha which I got as a leftover 2004 model for $7500. Best thing I ever did. Had I just needed the boat for the lake any old motor would have worked fine.

[reelapeelin]

IMO, MJ touched on the reason Wellcraft dropped V-20 production...some faggot came up w/the eurotransom and some other faggot at Wellcraft said, "We gotta have it to sell boats"...

Buy a new boat and every month you'll walk out to the dock and dump a monthly payment into the water...or buy a used boat and do the same, only it won't be as much money and it'll be spread around the boating community instead of goin' into some fat-@$$ banker's pockets...you won't pay as much tax on it either..

I've never regretted buying my V...

The cost/benefit question makes you sound like a bean-counter...don't go into it believing you'll sell it for what you put into it...it can happen, but typically doesn't...and BR's right...the money is in the motor...as it should be, cause that's the part that leaves you drifting or gets you home...

Welcome to the forum...glad to have you and stay patient in your search...

[Chomper]

I am going on my second year owning the V and I have loved every minute, I have absolutely no regrets. As far as owning a boat they are all holes in the water to throw money into new or used that is just boating. The cost/benefit for me is the time spent with family and friends and it is worth every penny and then some.

Another thing I like is I don't have a payment to worry about. If I were to loose my job I just pull it home and put the cover on until I can get it back in the water and then the fun will start all over again without worry.