Best " year " for the V20

Willy - thanks for the specifics .

Also seems that in terms of buying one of these, there are two options:
1. buy one that's had major transom and floor related work done.
2. buy one and plan to need to have it rebuilt.

Since I have no interest in a major project, I'd prefer to find a beauty, already fixed and ready for the blue.

Somewhat smaller fuel capacity though at 60 gallons ?

[RWilson2526]

Originally Posted by fisherman

Willy - thanks for the specifics .

Also seems that in terms of buying one of these, there are two options:
1. buy one that's had major transom and floor related work done.
2. buy one and plan to need to have it rebuilt.

Since I have no interest in a major project, I'd prefer to find a beauty, already fixed and ready for the blue.

Somewhat smaller fuel capacity though at 60 gallons ?

I dont know if thats neccesarly true....I think there are quite a few V20's out there with original floors and transoms in good shap which if taken care of from here on out should last well into your future. My 86 is original and (at least as far as I can tell) is in fine shape. If you buy an already repaired one you always run the risk that it was fixed by a dumb azz and looks purty on the outside and lacking strength on the inside.

[willy]

That is true, also you will find late boats that have soft transoms and early boats that are as hard as a rock.
The way a boat was maintained over the years makes the biggest difference. Some boats have bolt holes that are rusting and the owner never sealed them, some installed engines and did not do a good job on the bolt holes etc. some installed electronics or transducers along with thru hulls and did not bed the parts correctly and allowed water to seep in over the years.
If those boats are sealed up right, especially if they are a trailer or rack stored boat they will last indefinetly

[reelapeelin]

They are like snowflakes...you can find a '75 that somebody took care of and have a great boat...or a '96 that was abused and neglected and have a POS...

Assuming a reasonable amount of care over the lifetime of a given "V" I'd be lookin' in the mid 80s to mid 90s...and starting from scratch, a full transom (sea-drive preferred), add a bracket and best 25 or 30" OB your budget can handle...150 hp minimum...

[Steplift 72']

I've had the old low profile deck design, and the later self-bailing higher profile deck design. The hull is the same, the ride is identical, but it seemed to me the lower deck design had a more solid ride. I attributed it to the deck design of the later hulls having more flex in the cap, not the hull. Both ride outstanding.

i took a big wave over the motor and transom of the old 72' and lived to tell about it. My 83' model was great and the self bailing deck gave me much more confidence, but a bolt of lightning hit less than 100' from the boat giving me a new respect for weather. Nothing is a 100% guarantee but this hull design is solid, but there is also a matter of luck involved beyond seamanship to say the least. On a lighter note, I saw I couple guys I considered heathens on their knees praying to God after that bolt of lightning.

If you are out on the water in a small boat it's a risk, but the V20 is a design yet to be improved on in my opinion. The ride was shocking when I first went offshore in mine in 73' after riding in lesser boats.

Wow, going to have to get a ride on one of these..........

Saw one out of Shark River Inlet, Belmar, NJ this past Sunday.
Just a few miles out the inlet. Looked nice.