New here with a v20

2002EXPSD

New member
Just purchased a 1982 v20 cuddy with a 1988 yamaha 150. Must say great riding boat. My dad has owned 3 of these back in the day. I've heard many good story's about them. Figured it would be a great inexpensive boat for the lake I fish that can get quite rough. This one still has the aluminum fuel tank. Boat seems to be mostly original. Does anyone have plans or drawings for a fiberglass hardtop? I have a guy that does fiberglass and another that can weld.

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Welcome 2002, nice to have another gulf coast member on here. Good looking rig. Can t help you with the hard top, always wanted one.
 
I've seen a few of these v20s with a hardtop and wow they look good and functional. My catamaran has a hardtop and I love it.
 
Welcome to the site and congrats on the V. Very nice combo with the 150 Yammie. I had one on my Striper and it was a workhorse and very little problems.

As for a top the most recent person I recall having a nice setup was Skunkboat. I think he’s sold the boat but you can do a little digging here and find pics of his.
 
welcome. You will like this site. Everyone is helpful.
I have a dual console and made a top for mine. It was an experiment for when I get a bigger welder that does aluminum. Its very light, made out of steel tubing I had laying around from a small pool frame. I just bunjee a tarp to it when out in the water. THe problem is there is no x brace for the legs so it shakes while trailering. I put some braces from the legs to the top but without taking away head room its pretty much impossible unless I attach them to the console. If I built it out of thicker aluminum I think it would be ok. But the hard top would have to be made very light if I would go that route. Im too dumb to figure out how to post pics or I would.
 
Just got a quote today from a local shop to build the aluminum sub frame for $2000. Then need my fiberglass guy to build the hardtop.
 
Just got a quote today from a local shop to build the aluminum sub frame for $2000. Then need my fiberglass guy to build the hardtop.

Mine was $3200 a long time ago. Top was honeycomb core between glass (overbuilt really). 6 rodholders included.

Make sure its tall enough. Taller than the bimini. mine was perfect for a 6 footer like me. I think I put measurements in a post a long time ago. Do a TAG search for "hardtop" on this site
The one thing I would have changed was the lower forward brace. It prevented the windshield from swinging all they way open.

Think it thru... do you need/want mounting plates for riggers/radar

Good three sided enclosure is another $1500. Get the windshield in 3 pieces. Don't get one piece across with a D zipper in front of the helm.

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Also when building your hardtop you might want to give some thought to leaving room on the under side of your hardtop so that when you unzip your side smiley windows they can swing up and attach with common sense turn fasteners to the underside of the hardtop. This will eliminate the need to roll up the smiley windows which will scratch the clear vinyl.
 
Dont really have a need down here in the south for an isingglass enclosure. Too hot. Need the extra breeze. Will camp out in the cuddy when it rains if I can fit. Hmmm didnt check that when I bought the boat. I'm 6' 4".
 
Dont really have a need down here in the south for an isinglass enclosure. Too hot. Need the extra breeze. Will camp out in the cuddy when it rains if I can fit. Hmm... didn't check that when I bought the boat. I'm 6' 4".

Fetal position... Lying on your side.... you'll fit.... sorta :)
 
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