Do these V's float when water filled ?

[Blue_Runner]

Reel I didn't know that was the one you got? Had I know that I would've said name it "Seal Deal" instead of "Reel Deal" LOL!!!! That's pretty cool!!

[captpete13]

if those dock lines broke that boat would have sank to the bottom. It was in a very deep slip. The diver that went into the water to rig the lift bags was 6'4" and was standing upright on the bottom and there was still a few feet of water above him. I think they add flotation,just enough to keep the coast guard happy. But nowhere near enough to keep the boat floating.

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by captpete13

if those dock lines broke that boat would have sank to the bottom. It was in a very deep slip. The diver that went into the water to rig the lift bags was 6'4" and was standing upright on the bottom and there was still a few feet of water above him. I think they add flotation,just enough to keep the coast guard happy. But nowhere near enough to keep the boat floating.

That's an '84...the '95 V-21 I had for a while wasn't any better...I remember installing the capt's chair and built-in tackle drawers in the starboard pedistal...there was some foam under there...but certainly not full or enough to keep the boat afloat...

If they were serious about keepin' these hulls afloat, the gunwales and all hollow spaces between cap and hull would be full of closed cell foam...which could lead to another problem...McKees and Whalers are foam filled and advertised cut in pieces which all float...except over time some seep water into those foam-filled voids and then ya got some REAL problems...water-logged foam is very heavy, will NEVER dry out and imagine separating cap and hull to remove all the wet foam...

[Pipe_Dream]

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

Pete's pictures here tell the story...

Yep. That's what the ol' PD did some 20 odd years ago, minus the seal. The only things keeping her off the bottom were the dock lines.

[reelapeelin]

NEWS FLASH!!
and ya think ya know a guy after all these years...

Originally Posted by Pipe_Dream

Yep. That's what the ol' PD did some 20 odd years ago, minus the seal. The only things keeping her off the bottom were the dock lines.

[cterrebonne]

Originally Posted by RidgeRunner

That is a good read MJ.


I think the Whalers float upright with rated capacity without the plug. Never tested that claim.

Keywest boats will. All the dealers get a dvd in the showroom that had the owner of the company in a cc model with the drain plug out riding in a lake and then he stops in the lake and talks to the camera man about how the boat wont sink.

[Pipe_Dream]

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

NEWS FLASH!!
and ya think ya know a guy after all these years...

It was before I owned her.


Or she owned me.


One of those. Or both.

[jasoncooperpcola]

I seen on Whalers site where they had one of their large boats in the water, no plug, about thirty people on board, and the side door open. Still floated upright with about three inches of water on deck.

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

I seen on Whalers site where they had one of their large boats in the water, no plug, about thirty people on board, and the side door open. Still floated upright with about three inches of water on deck.

I bet ya that was a brand new hull fresh from the factory....had not been sittin around for 20-30 years in a slip or on a trailer like some of our beloved Vs...

And then ya wanna compare price tags...lol!!...

[jasoncooperpcola]

I understand about whalers design. I just thought i would bring that up. Well, i value my V to worth more than any new Whaler. Of course sentimental value doesn't count. The memories i have of my dad make mine worth more to me than any new boat. Besides the reason we bought the V was its an economical rig. And my isn't named "Sledgehammer" like one whaler in town.