1981 Wellcraft V20 with I/O

[cfelton]

Looks good from the pic. I've got a 77 with a 170, same longblock as a 470 and the most I've ever got out of mine was 42 mph. That was tached out, trimmed up and on salt water. Took it out fishin on the river last week and it only ran 38 WOT. When I brought it home I thought it wasn't in too bad of shape. But after I got it started it blew holes through the exhaust manifold and while working on the motor I saw some small holes in the transom that had red silicone in them. Doing some poking around I found the transom, stringers and motor bed were shot. I had to rebuild the entire rear end of it, and the motor, gimble and outdrive. Oh, and it was well worth the time and money spent. When buying any old boat check it out well. Not saying this one is like mine but in general check any boat out really well before buying.

[twhrider2]

Welcome Rook, Cfelton is spot on with performance numbers. 38-42mph WOT is normal and a nice 25-27 cruise. 45-50 ain't happenin. But who cares still a nice solid economical performer. 470 is a good engine you just need to learn its quirks as with any other, esp. if you do your own wrench turnin. ...Good luck and keep us posted

[spareparts]

3.7L/3.7LX/470/165/170/185/485 all the same motors...they can be real good motors, but they are different than most other engines. They were built for a brief amount of time (1977-1989) by Mercury marine. there are very few parts that interchange with other engines, part supplies are drying up and some major parts are no longer available. When I started working on boats for a living these were very popular, I'm a big fan of them and have good luck with them in the past, but as time has gone by, they have been replaced by much better options. If you are bound to have an I/O 5.0L 5.7L V8 is the best way. They are usually the same cost as a 4.3 V6, cheaper than rebuilding a 3.7, and hte increased HP offsets any weight difference. the out drives themselves can cost you a lot in repairs as well. In salt water, I wouldn't have anything other than an outboard, the newer 4 strokes are very nice, but they are expensive and can cost quite a bit in maintenance. It all boils down to nothing in a boat is cheap, research around and look for what best suits your needs, if you find something you're interested in, post it up and we'll all chime in.

[Rookfish]

Any boat I get will be used solely in fresh water in Lake St. Clair or the great lakes. My intent was looking for a V20, Sport or Fisherman with an outboard, CC or cuddy. But, there are few north of N.C. I found this and while interested, I'm hesitant. I found several good boats that are N.C. and south.

[bradford]

Go and look at 10 different V20s before buying one. There are a lot of deals out there, but a lot of stuff that is overpriced, or will end up costing you the purchase price in repairs. (If not more.) Every boat costs the owner money to own and maintain, even if it's brand new. Anything that's needs done though, someone here has already done it and you can benefit from others knowledge, mistakes and shortcuts.

[Rookfish]

Thanks for the replies. I'll try and get out to see some boats when the ice thaws out. The couple of V20's I have seen nearby sold before I contacted them. A few of the Fisherman and Sportsman are around that I intend to look at, or the open bow 232 Eclipse. I know those are not the V20 hull, but Wellcraft has a number of quality looking boats.

[bradford]

Come on now, don't go and buy a 232 Eclipse on us!

Keep your eyes peeled in the boats for sale section. Every few months one of us posts up some awesome cream puff rig they found on craigslist or ebay.