Need Advice

[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.

[jasoncooperpcola]

If you post the pics on photobucket then paste here, they will be larger. Unless its a tremendous hit, the chine area is probably a gelcoat damage. Seven miles out in a V20 is a piece of cake. I have had my V out 35 miles in the Gulf and never felt unsafe. Where are you located?

[Brettnrs423]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

If you post the pics on photobucket then paste here, they will be larger. Unless its a tremendous hit, the chine area is probably a gelcoat damage. Seven miles out in a V20 is a piece of cake. I have had my V out 35 miles in the Gulf and never felt unsafe. Where are you located?

I am located near new london ct. Its about a 7 mile hike to "the race" which is arguably the best local fishing grounds (although block island is great too but a little further). The depth goes from over 200 ft to 50 very quickly and the associated currents bring in some serious fish. Its also the point where most of the water flows into long island sound. Im confident that the V is up to the task because neighbors of mine fish out there in their older 19 ft grady, but its definitely not a place to fool around if you don't know what your doing. Its also not a spot I want to be stranded at if something goes wrong. I have a dock with my house and know this is something I enjoy and will probably be doing for life, so I am looking to invest into something that will last me a long time. I will try to post some better pics tonight. If I end up re-doing the V I will definitely document and post up the process for everyones benefit. Thanks for the responses so far.

[Skools Out]

first thing sand that area or strip it to see what you really have.

[Kracker Jack]

Like schools said grind the gell coat off to see what your dealing with.dont grind to deep into the glass,just feather the grinder to get rid of the gellcoat and then asess . I have numerous spots on my bottom that the previous owner repaired that im grinding all down and repairing over just to give me a sense of knowing the repair was done correctly.

send us some more pics of the damaged area before and after you grind it down. any soft spots on the floor? Gellcoat cracks in the cockpit or on the bottom that could give us the assumption that the stringers are flexing due to rot? Not trying to be negative but my transom seem pretty solid but when i cut into her she was SHOT!!! So do a couple test pilot holes with a small drill bit to see what consistency the material is being drilled out is, meaning long dry wood shavings are a good sign and "dirt" or wet material means theres rot.remove some screws and see if any water weeps out of the holes.

[Brettnrs423]

Originally Posted by Kracker Jack

Like schools said grind the gell coat off to see what your dealing with.dont grind to deep into the glass,just feather the grinder to get rid of the gellcoat and then asess . I have numerous spots on my bottom that the previous owner repaired that im grinding all down and repairing over just to give me a sense of knowing the repair was done correctly.

send us some more pics of the damaged area before and after you grind it down. any soft spots on the floor? Gellcoat cracks in the cockpit or on the bottom that could give us the assumption that the stringers are flexing due to rot? Not trying to be negative but my transom seem pretty solid but when i cut into her she was SHOT!!! So do a couple test pilot holes with a small drill bit to see what consistency the material is being drilled out is, meaning long dry wood shavings are a good sign and "dirt" or wet material means theres rot.remove some screws and see if any water weeps out of the holes.

Thanks ill give that a try this weekend and take some pics. I dont have any structural cracks on the deck, gunwales, or bow area and no soft spots in the floor. As I had mentioned I do have two structural cracks around the bottom of the cuddy door but thats all i know of. When you say to drill are you talking into the transom or stringers or both?

[Kracker Jack]

Do some drill tests in the transom. Drill small holes they don't have to big holes. You fill them with thickened resin after your probe test. I've walked boats in the past flat footed with flip flops and the sole felt fine but then ive kicked my flops off and walked on my heals and found some soft spots.

[steplift20]

i love the steplift but if your willing to spend you can but a nice v that will be turn key ready for alot less, your in a tough spot, i love my 78 and am willing to do just about anything to keep her, im going to post my next problem that i cant figure out good luck

[macojoe]

Some have had great luck with ETec but there are others that have had horror stories!! There are a few here that have them. and they are working alright but some have had problems right out of the gate!
I have heard most problems are from Tec's that don't have there crap together and set them up wrong, this cause the power heads to blow, and a host of other issues. But once they get it right the motors have been great!
Its great that they get them straight and that Evinrude stands behind them, but I for one would rather have a motor that runs and runs then is always at the shop!
I have had Johnson, Evinrude, Yamaha 2 stroke and 4 stroke, and Mercury. I have to say I love my Yamaha's!! bought a 225 4 stroke but it was way to heavy for my boat, so I traded a friend for his 2 stroke HDPI 200, and it is a awesome motor!! I like it better then the 4 stroke and it is just as good on gas as the 4 stroke!
My 2nd best motor has been Mercury, I had a 90 3 cyl and then a 6 cyl 2.4 175, that 175 was great on gas and pushed my heavy boat great!!