Need Advice

[Brettnrs423]

Hello everyone,

For those of you who might remember me, I was in the process of changing out my fuel tank several months ago and posted here. I am starting to think that I made a poor choice on buying this boat (I have a 1986 V20) because I have had nothing but problems since I got it. As an update I pulled the tank last season and was able to use the boat for the remainder of the season with a temporary fuel tank until the original yamaha 150 seized from an oil injection failure. I am at the point where I have pulled and sold what was left of the outboard and need to decide between restoring the Wellcraft or buying a new boat. Fortunately I am willing to tackle most work myself as I am very mechanically capable but have never really done fiberglass or paint work before. Where the boat sits it looks like there is solid material in the transom, however it is very brittle and flakey. I am thinking that I should probably rebuild the transom if I am going to keep the boat. In addition, I noticed a cracked chine on the bottom of the boat from contact with the trailer. I have enclosed a few pictures of the damage but would like some advice on the best way to fix it. Unfortunately, its in a spot where I will not be able to access it from the top unless I cut up the cuddy. If I am going to restore the boat I am going to do it right: Fiberglass repair, new tank (which I already have), transom replacement, new outboard, and new paint/gelcoat. I was hoping to get some advice regarding all these repairs and about how much I could expect to spend. As far as an outboard, I will be going with an ETEC 150 if I decide to keep the boat, which I have already priced out at a local dealer. So what does everyone think? Am I in over my head? Is it worth restoring the wellcraft or should I just try and find a nicer boat in the 20-25k range? Thanks in advance.

-Brett

[RWilson2526]

Sorry to hear that it looks like you got into a bad egg there.
If you are truly are willing and able to drop 20-25k to get on the water then ditch the v and go and buy any number of nicer boats.

Option b is find a hull in better condition and repower it.

Last option imo is to repower AND have to rebuild the boat. Unless there is ome sentimental value it just aint worth it.

[Skools Out]

need bigger pic of the area looks like a minor crack.

[Brettnrs423]

Originally Posted by Skools Out

need bigger pic of the area looks like a minor crack.

The pic i included is two shots. Ur right its basically a long crack. I dont even know if it made it into the fiberglass or not or if its just through the gelcoat. What other angle would u like me to get? if it is just a crack in the gelcoat what is the best way to go about fixing it?

[jasoncooperpcola]

How are the stringers? Whether you like the boat or not should determine if you want to spend the money fixing it up. New motor and new transom and you are already doing better than buying another boat.

[Brettnrs423]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

How are the stringers? Whether you like the boat or not should determine if you want to spend the money fixing it up. New motor and new transom and you are already doing better than buying another boat.

The stringers all apear and feel solid and there are no soft spots on the deck. I did note stress cracks to the lower left and lower right of the cuddy door however. My biggest concern is the cracked chine in the hull and how easily this can be fixed. I do like the boat but am wondering if I should just move on. I live in an area where I will be using the boat often and would like something reliable i could go out 7 miles with (great fishing grounds by me) and not have to worry about getting home safely.

[Brettnrs423]

Originally Posted by RWilson2526

Sorry to hear that it looks like you got into a bad egg there.
If you are truly are willing and able to drop 20-25k to get on the water then ditch the v and go and buy any number of nicer boats.

Option b is find a hull in better condition and repower it.

Last option imo is to repower AND have to rebuild the boat. Unless there is ome sentimental value it just aint worth it.

Well i guess the only reason i said 20-25k is because between a new outboard and all the work into the hull im thinking i will probably spend at least 15-20k (does this sound about right?). I would prefer to not spend much at all but it is what it is. I look online for used outboards everyday but would like the piece of mind of a new engine and warranty because i will be using the boat often.

[randlemanboater]

I'd bet that you can get a REALLY nice boat in the 21-23 ft range for $20K.

Or you will have a really nice boat if you fix yours and put on new power.

Tough choice, but if you have that to spend, I'd go with another boat.

[Brettnrs423]

Thank you all for the replys. I didnt have a chance to work on the boat this weekend but did take some more pics. I will post either later tonight or tomorrow morning. Regarding outboard type, I will consider what everyone said, however the bottom line is every outboard out there has some history of failure. Whether you talk to people or search online, literally every manufacturer has had issues. My neighborhood is a huge boating community and everyone there also has their opinion on what type of outboard I should get. Someone has told me to stay away from every type of outboard including mercurys, yamahas, etecs, optimaxes etc. I would like a four stroke but also know that they are quite heavy outboards for a V. That being said, one outboard I might check out is the new mercury 4 cylinder 4-stroke. Its around 450 lbs and has rave reviews so far. Ill update everyone soon. Thanks again.

[ssiredfish]

Originally Posted by Brettnrs423

Thank you all for the replys. I didnt have a chance to work on the boat this weekend but did take some more pics. I will post either later tonight or tomorrow morning. Regarding outboard type, I will consider what everyone said, however the bottom line is every outboard out there has some history of failure. Whether you talk to people or search online, literally every manufacturer has had issues. My neighborhood is a huge boating community and everyone there also has their opinion on what type of outboard I should get. Someone has told me to stay away from every type of outboard including mercurys, yamahas, etecs, optimaxes etc. I would like a four stroke but also know that they are quite heavy outboards for a V. That being said, one outboard I might check out is the new mercury 4 cylinder 4-stroke. Its around 450 lbs and has rave reviews so far. Ill update everyone soon. Thanks again.

Well geographically speaking I know of 6 Etecs and 4 of them have been in and out of the shop. Dont get me wrong I was sold on them for a while until I saw the repairs these guys were doin......

Honestly other than a clogged filter and injectors I havent heard ONE serious problem with the F150's. There are a lot of them here and you just dont see them goin into service very much. After 400hrs all Ive done is changed one filter and cleaned the injectors, lube and oil/foot lube changes. General maintenance stuff......

My Yamaha 4-stroke F150 gets UNREAL gas mileage on my F20 and the added weight WITH the bracket I have lowered the tail end about an inch. At 466lbs I would assume that on a V with the forward cuddy it wouldnt even drop that much......No a bigger engine I have no idea????