'86 V-20 on Ebay

[CT_V-20]

Looks like a pretty good price too. Same year as mine: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...57738&rd=1

Since this is the same year as yours is there anything you can tell me to watch out for in a boat of this vintage?

[Seacrets]

I also have an 86. Check floor, transom, stringers,electrical, steering and engine compression carefully. I don't like the statement about money not being returned. Just check it carefully. Bring a friend. I also bought mine on ebay (locally) and the previous owner and I use the same mechanic and I got a good motor report. He also wanted me to take the boat by myself for a sea trial. He accepted a local bank check and delivered it to my door. The rig was everything I expected and more. There are good deals on ebay.

Thanks Seacrets. How do I check the stringers and transom? Do I need a moisture meter?

[CT_V-20]

BH - I have had no hull issues. Most every problem I've had has been motor related. The only thing I'll add to Seacrets' comments are capital letters for COMPRESSION TEST! Also, check for through hulls as my boat came with a through hull transducer for a depth finder that no longer worked. It makes me nervous despite it being water tight (so far).

CT Thanks for your advice. This boat doesn't even have bottom paint so I would think it hasn't been exposed to the water as much as one that sits at the dock when not in use. I have a compression gauge that I've used to test a few boats and will apply it to this one as well.

[chesapeake724]

Hmmm... was the kicker bracket just removed, or has it been off for a while and the holes left open like that? :-/

I sort of bought my '87 off eBay. It was listed and I found it on eBay, but was about 30 miles away so I bought it as a local buyer.

Bar Hopper,
Stringers might be tough to check, but you can find clues in the bilge that might tell you if there's been water sloshing around in there. In this vintage, the floor and transom are also important to check. From what I could tell on mine, that box the passenger bucket seat sits on was not very well sealed by Wellcraft. The above-the-fuel-tank hatch on the sideways picture is also probably bad. The 8" inspection hatches weren't sealed that well. That said, the current price isn't too bad. Unless it's in above-average condition, I'd allow $1000 for the engine and the hull+trailer might be worth an additional $1500 to $3000, depending on the condition. If it was me, I don't think I'd pay much more than $3k for that rig. If you look at his response to the first question he says something about the motor losing partial power. In the pic, I'm guessing that Merc is a 150 or 175, yet he's got a hydrofoil on it. Was that put on there to try and squeeze some performance out of a gimpy engine? I don't like the vibe. If I was still shopping and it was reasonably close, I'd be skeptical, but at the current price, I'd still go check it out. You're not out any money.

Chesapeake724 thanks for your insight. I plan on seeing the boat before I put another bid in and reviewing the NADA numbers I was coming up with the same dollar figure as your suggestion. While looking over the boat I’ll pay particular attention in the areas you mentioned.

[fillet1]

Barhopper,

I'd stay away from that Merc as chesapeake said. The hull does look nice though.

You gotta buy one soon... I bought the last one you were asking about! ;)

Hey fillet1 I feel like the eternal shopper. I’m a little snake bit from last year. I went to buy a boat, had cash in hand and the boat inspector gave it a thumbs down and I had to walk away – bummer. But in the long run that was a good thing cause that was for a Mako. So how’s the one you bought, I hope it serves you well.