a stretched v20 in disguise?

[reelapeelin]

Originally Posted by willy

no clue but it is a nice looking boat, good luck

I agree w/Willy...it does have some V20 styling, but differences also...sliding bow hatch , flair and bow are VERY similar...rub rail doesn't share the rise stern to bow as the V20 and there's some more tumblehome to the tranny...will be an interesting boat...keep us posted on your progress...pics always good...

[THEFERMANATOR]

Looks more like a CAROLINA CLASSIC or something along those lines to me. It has the curved transom with the flat portion protruding out for the I/O like a FORMULA 233, but the flared bow like a V or a CAROLINA CLASSIC.

[maritimer]

I took a quick look at the carolina classics that came up in a google images search and they all seem to have a pointed bow, this one is stubbish looking (well rounded with no point along the rub rail) like the v20 but I'll look more into their older models when I have time to spare in the next few days.

I'll take some better pictures when I head out to take the carb off for a rebuild once the rain let's up then post them here. Are there any certain angles / views or measurements that would help anyone with identifying the source of this boat?

The guy I bought the boat from was given a story that "it was a custom build for an exec in the upper ranks of chris craft to use as a launch" but without any documentation that's only a story. With chris craft releasing the ray hunt designed bertram styled sport fisherman around the same time, what are the chances that this boat was a prototype for another hunt designed chris craft that was close to a v20?

I've found a few references online about patent infringements on the v20 tunnel drive around this same time also but haven't yet found who was on the wrong end of that case. I could understand chris craft stopping development on a boat that may start a round 2 with wellcraft's patent lawyers.

In any event, I expect this to turn out to be a decent boat, the bow flares and deep v should come in handy for some near shore fishing runs and the straight shaft inboard deals with my fears of chewing up folks with the prop on ski/tube days. An outdrive would be nice for trimming (I'll add trim tabs if needed) and beach landings or shallow waters but the transom is solid and the gas tank is in the stern so I'm only going to go as far as a new deck and stringers if it needs them. There's a one square foot soft spot starting to give a bit of flex in the deck but I haven't gotten to test holes in the stringers.

Also, not sure if this is relevant in anyway but I have to find any foam under the deck or in the bow and I haven't taken the teak off the sides to see if there's any under the sides.

[Bruce]

Cool boat.


To me it looks like a REALLY early Dusky. Made out of florida. Even has the dusky logo on the side.... I'm guessing the Hull ID is either from import, or from a rebuild/recover gov't issued HID.

[THEFERMANATOR]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Cool boat.


To me it looks like a REALLY early Dusky. Made out of florida. Even has the dusky logo on the side.... I'm guessing the Hull ID is either from import, or from a rebuild/recover gov't issued HID.

DUSKY did use the rounded carolina bow flare, but I've never seen one with the stepped transom bulge like a FORMULA 233. It could be an early COBIA though as they made a hull like that for a very short period of time back in the 60's-70's.

[Bruce]

If it had severe transom damage, could have been rebuilt with the step out transom and that would explain the wierd hull ID

[wellcraftv20step]

i agreewith bruce, it looks like a dusky. she's a beauty good luck.