So, what makes you like these old boats?

[Stillrunning]

Well I'll have to say when I purchased the boat I really did not know very much about the boat. What I did know is that my buddy one month earlier spent $7,500 on a new motor and now would sell me the boat, motor, and trailer for $8,000. Thats what friends do when their friends are having financial problems. That was in 08/96 and was one of my best purchases I have ever made. Its just a great all around boat sking, fishing, or just taking a cruise its a great boat. Yes there are better boats but for the money and ride you will not find one in its class. I was looking hard for a little bigger walk around but with a new born and the price of gas I'm keeping my baby for another year. If I do decide to buy a bigger boat I have to fishing buddies already fighting over who will by my V20 because they have spent allot of hours on the boiat and know how great they are.

[bradford]

I like mine for all the reasons posted above. I also like her because a new boat with similar attributes would cost up to 30-50 grand or more. It's a cool feeling pulling up along side someone who just second mortgaged their house to get on the water and knowing my boat is more seaworthy, rides better, and even looks better (besides a couple of character lines on the old lass). Not to mention I've talked to a couple of guys who sold their V-20s to "move up" and tell me the always regreted it.

[nipper]

Because they have their own website.

[TunaHead]

This is THE all around boat. I bought my V20 on Ebay last year and had it hauled west to Northern CA from Jersey. I've had up to 6 guys in it free diving for abalone without feeling cramped for space. I fish with it avidly and with the new Suzuki 140 4-stroke and a 60 gallon tank I'll have the range to get out 40 miles or so this year to get to the tuna.

Also... it's a sexy looking hull!

[eight]

Insure an old boat?

If I get it I'll probably run the 140s through this season and then repower with a single ~150 hp fuel injected motor or a pair of Tohatsu TLDIs for next season.

Originally Posted by Seacrets

I'll start the ball rolling here and probably open up a can of worms. I wouldn't let my insurance company know I've got 280 hp hanging on the transom. These boats are not rated for 280 outboard hp (200-235 in outboard configuration). I know, some guys will say their insurance company will write a policy, but just don't file a claim. Just my $.02 but with fuel costs, I'd run one 140 (4 cylinders would do well on gas) and have a great spare. The V20 is a great boat and you'll love it. There's tons of knowledge on this site and there's nothing somebody hasn't fixed, tried or done to them. Can't find a better site and bunch of guys.

[fishingwithblue]

I'm only 32 years old but I have an old soul. I like old music, old boats and curvy women. I believe they put more thought into the functionality of a boat back in the day. Now they cram boats full of "options" because new boat owners want what they think is more for their dollar when in fact they have been "optioned" out of all their fishing and boating room! I bought a brand new Key West when I was 24. It had a bilge leak from the factory and the livewell never functiones properly. The second day I bought it I chipped the casting deck gelcoat with a flouder gig and shook the GPS loose off the dash in a light 2-3 foot chop. I sold it 3 months later when the new trailer lights burned out. I love all boats, but from now on, for all day fishing, I'll have an old V20 with new power! .02

[randlemanboater]

Originally Posted by eight

Insure an old boat?

I have insurance on mine......if it were to be stolen or, heaven forbid, sink, I couldn't afford to get another one without insurance.

Plus I have tow coverage with the insurance as well.

[bcmarinamanager]

It's the closest thing I'll ever get to a custom Carolina boat. It looks like a beautiful curvy woman. I just wish they built them with some tumble home.

[Sean]

Plain and simple,
I loved/miss my V for its stability and plenty of fishing room

[csvencer]

The more I use mine the more I love it. It's weird, with my last boat, 19' CC, I was constantly looking for something else to buy, craigslist, boat trader, THT, etc. Since I got the V I don't think I have looked at a single new boat. There isn't anything I can not do in my V. Its a cruiser, fish platform, dive boat, ski boat, and whatever you want to do, and it only cost me $5500.

-Svence