Welcome New (and Old) Members!!!

[Pipe_Dream]

Originally Posted by Fireman Steve

Hi folks,
I just found this page and site, seems like some good folks here, I was just given a 1972 Wellcraft V20 Steplift, had a Johnson V6 GT150 motor, motor is toast, though there are some good parts still on it, I have tried to do some research on the boat but there is not much available, Wellcraft seems to have a loyal following however, I am interested in any manuals, pamphlets, or just solid dope on these boats, so far mine has only required clean-up, it was like a terrarium before from sitting in a woodline in North Carolina for about 7 years uncovered, but the hull and floor is super solid, going to have to refit the control panel and remove the old fuel tanks, not sure why the cuddy area has a live well that extends into it and the anchor locker inside is odd placement as well, be very grateful for any info anyone can provide, Thanks

Welcome, Steve! We'll help in any way we can!

(by the way, we love pics)

[Fireman Steve]

Thanks for the welcome, I had found that page with the pics of the catalogs and looked at the one for the 72 but that's not my boat, and there are no manuals listed; why do they call it a step-lift? I get the V20, it is a pretty deep V-hull. I will post some before pics and when I get it in better condition I will post that as well!!

[Blue_Runner]

Welcome to the site!!

[Pipe_Dream]

Originally Posted by Fireman Steve

Thanks for the welcome, I had found that page with the pics of the catalogs and looked at the one for the 72 but that's not my boat, and there are no manuals listed; why do they call it a step-lift? I get the V20, it is a pretty deep V-hull. I will post some before pics and when I get it in better condition I will post that as well!!

Someone correct me if I mess this up. The "steps" refer to the strakes running down the hull, which flatten as they go toward the stern. All strakes help to provide stability and throw spray to the side. The V-20 (and others) flatten the strakes, making them "steps," and the flat surface provides more "lift" helping to get the boat up on plane quicker as well as assisting in turns by providing a grip in the water. I think it's also said they have a lower drag to lift ratio. I believe Wellcraft had a patent on the "Step-Lift" hull but that it expired in the '90s.

[Fireman Steve]

Ok, That makes sense, I saw some pics where a gentleman was reinforcing the supports of his woodland stored Wellcraft on this site and this explanation ties it together, I snaked a line camera into hidden spaces in the boat floor and don't see any rotten wood, it all seems to be fiberglass coated, I am impressed how tough the hull is, the person that gave me the boat put it in the inter-coastal waterway here in North Carolina and in the Cape Fear River; which is notorious for underwater logs, but there are only minor scratches,
Thanks for the info, I'm grateful for the help; if anyone has a schematic or breakdown drawings of this boat that would be great, still on the hunt for a owners manual or any place that may have some parts,
Thanks and be safe

[phatdaddy]

Fuel tanks? Guess that means saddle tanks in the gunnells. If so, it is an older style hull that drains to the bilge.

Does it have a 20 or 25 inch transom?