inexpensive boats

[Pipe_Dream]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The lines of the V-20, which I find to be as close to "classic" as a glass boat can be, might look somewhat dated to many of today's newer boaters.

I spent a little time walking around the marina last evening, sizing up some of the competition. As was stated by spareparts and phatdaddy, lots of center consoles and walkaround cuddy's, and elevated helms, as opposed to my PD, which looks lower in the water thanks to both its lines and its low top.

Aside from all the V-20s obvious attributes, I really like how the old-timers I run into instantly recognize the boat, despite the fact that I have no decals or markings on her. They'll always say something like, "That's a great hull," or, "good, strong boat," and invariably, "I" or "a friend of mine had one years ago . . . man, that was one tough boat."

[Blue_Runner]

It is not the best boat for any one activity, but it is 90% for everything we do.

That sums it up in one sentence for me. In the world of trade-off's, which as you know everything about a boat is a trade-off, the V20/21's are right smack dab in the middle. Period.

Any bigger/heavier you couldn't afford to run em or trailer em.
Any smaller and the ride would be crap.
Any wider and the ride would be crap.
Any narrower and she would roll like a dawg.
She's got a windshield to block the wind. Open it up to feel the wind.
Cuddy to sleep in or store all of your gear.
And my personal favorite is the wide open cockpit with plenty of room to fish!!

[willy]

Good all around hull, inshore superb, light off shore, good sea worthy hull. Build quality was right in the middle of the boat lines new. I love CC's but if I was to have one I would want a 23 footer at least for the slightly drier ride. If I lived in 24/7 hot weather like Fla. I would go with a CC with curtains but up here even in our summers you get cool afternoons and if you are wet to boot fishing becomes more of a endurance test rather than a good day on the water.
After a day on the water I sit down in my helm seat, close the center window and cruise back at 25 mph thru the usual afternoon chop and wind and nary a drop touches me, I don't pound and I talk with my friends who are all sitting comfortably.
Got room for four guys to fish, or the family out on the water for a day.
If I want to run out ten to fifteen to fish a wreck I can do it safely and if it kicks up nasty I know the hull will handle just about all but the most extreme coming back in. I can store what I need in the cuddy and it stays dry.
Good jack of all trades and cause they were made for a long run of years lots of them out there. Well respected by those that spend time on the water. Got news for you concerning the Gradys, they are good boats also but they have all kids of problems as they get older as do others. Plus you look at a 92 Grady 20 footer and I bet you could get it as cheap as a V.
The V's that have been refurbished and with new power in this area will set you bak a pretty penny, look at a boat like Lumbers, if he sold that puppy for less than 14 g's he would be foolish. I have seen two real sweet V's this year that have sold for that much and more.

[spareparts]

one other thing to consider is that especially with newer boats, the price of the engines have gone up more than the price of the boats. Any of your newer type boats with big DFI's or $strokes, figure 50-75% of the cost is towards the motor

[phatdaddy]

I don't know how many times i've been at a ramp or tied up to a dock and some body said "I used to have one of those, man , I wish I had never got rid of it."

[LESTERUS]

Mine Is A 1978 Bougth It 25 Yrs Ago From Original Owner And Still Have It, In The Mean Time I Had A 40 Footer But Never Had The Guts To Get Rid Of The Faithful V-20. Wise Choice.

Every Time I Go Out Young Guys (younger That I'm That Is) Walk To Me And Ask Me About It, And Tell Me That Father Or Grand Dad Had One And Tell Me About Good Times In It. That Makes My Day.

[bigshrimpin]

Brand Name Premium . . . BW and Grady aren't built any better.