Tough decision

[nipper]

Ladies and Gentlemen: Please help me with m y conundrum. I own two boats, and therefore have 2 holes in the water into which I am pouring money. The first boat is a 1984 Formula Sunsport 220. The Formula is a very nice 20' boat with a huge cuddy, but not much cockpit room. It has a sweet Chvey v8 (350 c.i./265 h.p.) which runs very well. It has always been a lake boat. Interior is servicable, but needs to be upgraded. It has a fiberglass floor with snap-on carpeting. The cuddy interior is fine the way it is. The cuddy interior includes a sink and portable head, along with an AM/FM cassette stereo and equalizer. My wife and I bought the Formula, used, in or about 1997. We are only the second owners. All mechanical systems are ok. It sits on a 1985 Shorelander (painted) trailer, with 2 axles. There is some rust on the trailer which will need attention in the not too distant future. The surge brakes on the trailer are currently inoperable. The boat has full canvas in excellent condition, and a mooring cover, but no road/layup cover. This has been an excellent, reliable and fast boat over the years. It does about 50-55 mph. It is not the greatest ski boat because it makes a monster size wake. In a similar vein, it is not the greatest fishing boat because it has very high sides.

Now to the point of interest for you folks. I also own a 1990 Wellcraft V20 I/O (Chevy V6/Mercuriser sterndrive) which I inherited from my deceased father. I would like to say it is bristol as it was when my father was able to operate it, but, sadly, it is not, currently. The passenger side lounge seat needs to be replaced. Otherwise, the interior looks great. It has full canvas, all of which is in good shape. No road/storage cover (the last one I bought has ripped). The cuddy interior cushions are in great shape.

The last time I fired up the Wellcraft, it ran, but not well. It seemed to be loading up with fuel, and I noticed coolant/washer coming from one of the freeze plugs. The Wellcraft has not been run on a regular basis since 2003. The power trim/tilt also seemed to quit on me (even after checking all possible fuses). I have winterized the boat religiously, and recently had it in for replacement of a lower unit part and tune-up (fall, 2005). The shop folks have told me I have bad, old fuel, even though I have been using all available storage/refreshing chemicals. They're wrong on at least one front, because the motor will operate somewhat OK in forward, but not at all in reverse; drop it in reverse, and it immediately dies.

When I inherited the V20, I intended to sell my Formula, but I kept both for several seasons. The Wellcraft is a better all around boat with its large cockpit, great chop handling, and relatively low freeboard. On athe other hand, the Formula has a much larger cabin for our infrequent overniters, is faster, and, quite frankly, is currently in good operating condition vs. the V20. Because of recent circumstances, which include the need for some bucks to get one or the other of the boats in great condition, and decreased boat usage (due to umpteen baseball/soccer/football games per week with my 3 kids), I want to hold one and get rid of the other. Any thoughtful responses to my conundrum would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. The V20 is sitting on a 2002 "5 Starr" galvanized, double axle trailer in great condition. Again, any advice is welcome. Thanks, and have a pleasant day.