Hello and advice needed on V20 purchase

[Blue_Runner]

Reliablility is the main factor as long as you are ok with 30mph top end + or - a few mph. I grew up on 30mph so its not all that much of an issue for me. Its a trade off. Everybody that has posted so far has it right in my book. Like Perfidiajoe says, how fast can you run in the slop anyway?

Before you buy some things to check:
- Any soft spots in the hull (transom) and deck?
- Check for strong gas smells in the rear
- Get the engine compression checked. 115 is probably too low.
- $3500 is not necessarily a bargain. Keep on eye on ebay. Plenty of V20's for less, though you may have to travel.
- Single axle or double axle trailer?
- Does it include a bimini top or canvas cover?
V20 is a great boat. We bought our first in 1976 and slowly traded up through a series of boats to a 30ft Searay. Got out of boating 10 years ago because of costs. Got back in 2 years ago with my first and best choice, and bought a 1986 wellcraft V20.

[charlie_the_tuna]

hey phester, just messin. no harm no foul. yes, the homeports freeport/ island park.

hey tinman, a while ago you posted this whole formula on prop size, pitch etc... do you remember where it is?

[steplift20]

i have a 150 on mine and it only goes about34mph but thats with three people and a full tank of gas 55 gallons and a ton of bait and ice

[steplift20]

oh if its a 115 its a mercury what year is it anyway

[willy]

Though my first choice would be a 150, also my max size choice would be the same, I run a 1985 with a 99 Johnson 115 put on new in 2001 on a Armstrong Bracket and with a full tank which is how I keep it and three people and a bimini with curtains and assorted fishing equip and coolers etc it does 35 mph by gps wide open and cruises nice at 27-28. So have no fear about a 115 being enough motor unless your loaded up with people and maybe planning a lot of adult water skiing, might not be enough to get them up quickly enough. But for any sea conditions and a good load it will serve you very well and you will fish all day literally and use very little fuel.

Shoutout to fellow long islanders and all you other friendly characters,

I live in Queens but fish all over the island, from the East river to Montauk, Wildwood, Oyster Bay, Robert Moses, Long Beach, Breezy and Jamaica Bay. I surf fish and fish the party boats but since one of my clients took me out on his Parker this year I've been smitten with getting into boating. Needless to say we killed the stripers, fluke and sea bass on those two trips.

Thanks again for the feedback, its all very useful, especially the checklist, experiences with horse power, and not rushin into anything.

I had to reschedule looking at the boat til later today and I'll have some more info then on the motor, condition etc.

In the meantime I spoke to a an 85 year old original owner of a 79 Steplift V20 that is sending me snail mail pictures of his "tricked out" fishing machine. Seems he's getting out boating due to his age. He insisted I see it as its "one of a kind" and includes a 1999 140 hp Suzuki with 60 hours on it and the boat has seen very low useage. He does want an arm and a leg for it but doesn't hurt to look.

Anyway see you al a littlel later time to go to work.

Well,

I think I'll pass on the one I saw today. Don't have that much time to do all the fixin. ::) It had a 4 cylinder Johnson by the way, man was that thing loud.

The hunt goes on....