And So It Begins.....

[1lastcast]

I'm new to the forum and looking forward to your insight and experience. Fishing for more than 40 years in the Chesapeake and off the Delmarva Coast I found the dual console style a far more fishable boat than center consoles in the small boat class (<30'). And the lines on the v20 are just classic.

So after 8 months of searching, I found my new project, which in itself is a story....

Back in May of 2019 I responded to a craigslist add for an '88 model located in Salisbury, MD. The pictures suggested it was decently maintained; Discussing the condition with the seller, the transom professionally replaced ~5 years earlier; older but good chartplotter, VHF and Stereo. And it was now powered with a 2005 Merc 150, there would be little work to get out on the water.

But someone had called just an hour before me and had first dibs on the boat. I was heading to the beach the day the 1st buyer was to inspect the boat. The plan was to divert towards Salisbury once the seller called to say the 1st buyer left. But the call that came informed me that the 1st buyer took the boat. I congratulated the seller and continued my search.

Not many viable prospects would show up on the radar from that point until early December when I found a Facebook posting for one without a motor. From the pictures something was eerily familiar, but I couldn't put my fingers on it. I made arrangements to inspect the boat the coming weekend.

So, I arrived to inspected the boat. Walking around it as the seller approached we greeted and then he was taken back when I said, "You bought this boat in Salisbury last May...." Stunned, he asked how did I know. I explained how I was next in line.....

So, he had bought the boat to harvest the outboard for a 21' Mako he had inherited. Much more to that story, but for brevity sake all that matters about this new project is that this decently maintained hull was then parked 1/2 under a tree left exposed to the elements until the seller finally got around to posting the ad in December. I hauled the boat home New Years Day.

Winter and work had prevented me from getting starting, but COVID 19 opened up quite a bit free these last couple weeks. So, I've begun stripping everything out: Everything electrical and electronic, fittings, pumps, tanks, cable steer system, trim tabs, helm cowl.... the plan here is to strip everything off and repair/plug the holes, then restore the finish.

The little start I have made has generated many issues and ideas. In the coming weeks and months, I will be coming back to you for your insight and advice. But, here are a few to prime discussion:

1. Steering: Hydraulic or Cable?
2. Repower Options
3. Radar Arch
4. Installing a macerator pump in the fish box
5. Finish: gelcoat or 2-part paint

I have posted pictures to the following album: http://wellcraftv20.com/community/album.php?albumid=194

[Bertram]

Welcome to the forum. I'm new here as well good luck with your V20
I have a 1975 im working on

[Destroyer]

Welcome aboard. Interesting read on how you acquired your baby. Obviously she was meant to be yours. Congratulations.

To answer some of your questions:

Repower.... 4 stroke is the way to go if you can aford the initial cost. The savings on fuel will be almost twice what a 2 stroke will cost you IMHO. (The only exception might be the Evinrude e-tech which gets great mileage for a 2 stroke. (Talk to Bgreen about his)

Steering: Hydraulic is the way to go, but there's really nothing wrong with cable as long as you maintain it.

Radar Arch: Great if you have radar and GPS, otherwise why bother? I like the Atlantic Towers units for cost and functionality. Hard to beat the cost for a "Tower in a box" that they sell. https://www.atlantictowers.com/

I'll leave the paint to the experts here. Why would you want a macerator pump in the fish box?

In all cases, once more, welcome. :)

[oteps]

welcome. There is a guy on here with a very nice dual console. Cant remember his name, he had a bunch of pics. I love mine, but a little beat and in need of a new motor. There is a lot of room for fishing on them.

[Destroyer]

Lumberslinger 178 is the person that has a really beautiful Dualie.

[Pipe_Dream]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Welcome aboard. Interesting read on how you acquired your baby. Obviously she was meant to be yours. Congratulations.

To answer some of your questions:

Repower.... 4 stroke is the way to go if you can aford the initial cost. The savings on fuel will be almost twice what a 2 stroke will cost you IMHO. (The only exception might be the Evinrude e-tech which gets great mileage for a 2 stroke. (Talk to Bgreen about his)

Steering: Hydraulic is the way to go, but there's really nothing wrong with cable as long as you maintain it.

Radar Arch: Great if you have radar and GPS, otherwise why bother? I like the Atlantic Towers units for cost and functionality. Hard to beat the cost for a "Tower in a box" that they sell. https://www.atlantictowers.com/

I'll leave the paint to the experts here. Why would you want a macerator pump in the fish box?

In all cases, once more, welcome. :)

^^^^ What he said.

And one more WELCOME!