I Found One!

[Waterman]

just joined the forum, love these boats, looking and hopefully in the process of buying one any hints or things i should look for would be greatly appreciated

[HookedOnMarsh]

No, I haven't sea trialed this boat, only have the owner's word. It's not like he's somebody we don't know or anything. He kept it garage kept, has receipts for any service work done to the motor. This guy is a very good customer of ours and we have trusted him for years. There just is no way to schedule time for us to both be off from our jobs and go out in it. I wouldn't buy a boat from anyone else without taking it out. He is asking $5500 for everything. Does that sound high? It does need a bath and wax and the wood trim needs to be lightly sanded, stained, and sealed. I was planning to do that myself with oil based stain and polyurethane. One other concern I had is the bilge plug. It is only a compression type stopper that you put in from the outside. I've only had screw in wrench tight bilge plugs. I will of course buy a new one and keep the original as a spare, but has anyone heard of these slipping out in rough water?

[bradford]

$5500 is too high for something you haven't had the chance to run. It would suck to lose a friendship over money. just my humble 2 cents worth.

[bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by HookedOnMarsh

No, I haven't sea trialed this boat, only have the owner's word. It's not like he's somebody we don't know or anything. He kept it garage kept, has receipts for any service work done to the motor. This guy is a very good customer of ours and we have trusted him for years. There just is no way to schedule time for us to both be off from our jobs and go out in it. I wouldn't buy a boat from anyone else without taking it out. He is asking $5500 for everything. Does that sound high? It does need a bath and wax and the wood trim needs to be lightly sanded, stained, and sealed. I was planning to do that myself with oil based stain and polyurethane. One other concern I had is the bilge plug. It is only a compression type stopper that you put in from the outside. I've only had screw in wrench tight bilge plugs. I will of course buy a new one and keep the original as a spare, but has anyone heard of these slipping out in rough water?

Compression on that motor should be 125psi in all 6. If it's low (under 115psi in any want cylinder) pass on that boat. Inspect all wires on the ignition components (stator, trigger, harness) aswell as the bleed lines and fuel lines. If you buy it . . . you'll want to remove the spark advanace/idle stabilizer module and oil injection. Those motors are awesome . . . if you want to learn about them visit www.screamandfly.com . . . search for 2.4L. Very very good engines (IMO - the best old school 2 stroke ever built). Drain the Lower Unit after you seatrial and check for water . . . you'll want to change it. $5500 is steep for a v20 these days . . . $3500 is about the tops I would pay that rig. 2003 you could ask those prices and get them.

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by HookedOnMarsh

No, I haven't sea trialed this boat, only have the owner's word. It's not like he's somebody we don't know or anything. He kept it garage kept, has receipts for any service work done to the motor. This guy is a very good customer of ours and we have trusted him for years. There just is no way to schedule time for us to both be off from our jobs and go out in it. I wouldn't buy a boat from anyone else without taking it out. He is asking $5500 for everything. Does that sound high? It does need a bath and wax and the wood trim needs to be lightly sanded, stained, and sealed. I was planning to do that myself with oil based stain and polyurethane. One other concern I had is the bilge plug. It is only a compression type stopper that you put in from the outside. I've only had screw in wrench tight bilge plugs. I will of course buy a new one and keep the original as a spare, but has anyone heard of these slipping out in rough water?

I completely understand the relationship now...a trusted individual for years...but there may be items he doesn't know about, particularly if he hasn't run the boat in a long time...

I've been running a rubber plug in the bilge since 1999 in mine and never had a problem...just make sure the rubber is soft enough to seal...

Listen to bigshrimpin on the motor...he KNOWS his stuff on Mercs...

[RABBITFISH]

I have had my 87 since brand new, only issue was with the fuel tank corrosion requiring a replacement, (did it my self) and Wellcraft has designed the boat to be worked on, everything was easily reachable. However I am on my third motor, they just seem to keep wearing out!!!!! But the boat is still going strong.....Check inside all of the access hatches, sniff for any fuel odors, stick a camera inside them and take pictures from inside the hull where you can't look and you can go back an look at them as much as you need to. As long as the hull is good on the inside, with no weak spots in the floor, I would say go for it, but I also agree the price is a little higher than I would expect for that package. Let us know how your progress goes. Good luck..

Tommy

[HookedOnMarsh]

I took her home the other day. Got the boat and trailer with many accessories on it. Had everything on it except a fishing pole! Took her home and spent 3 hours tearing into her and washing her from inside out. Everything looks great on this boat. Filled her up with 52 gallons of gas and checked for leaks. (Anyone else notice that the gas fill and vent is right under where the driver sits and would flick ashes out?) Took her to the river and gently cruised her out of the dock and around the area for a few miles. Then took her upriver around 4500-5000RPM for 5 miles. Shut her down, checked that I was using oil out the tank, leaks, etc. Ran her down the river and out into open water this time pushing it to 5800RPM. I am cruising about 45MPH trimmed out at 5800RPM. There is little bit of throttle left, but scared to take it up to 6000RPM. I finished off the day running 50 miles only getting up to 5200RPM.
I am very impressed with this boat. Why did Wellcraft discontinue such a fine boat? I felt like I was driving a tank when I would hit large waves kicked up by other boaters. My other boat would have hurt me hitting them like this thing can. I did notice the deck of the cuddy flexing just a little bit in rough water. This part appears to be very thin fiberglass, so maybe it's just normal. I can sit on the deck and it doesn't feel bad. Underneath looks good.
Will post some pics after I get her waxed up. I am hooked on this style boat. I know I probably spent more than I should have for this rig, but from what I saw today, I think it was worth it.

[reelapeelin]

Sounds like your new V has found a good home!!...that's a pretty good 1st run...good "skakedown" cruise!!...