Like Tree1Likes 78 wellcraft F20 project - Opinions wanted

[RippinLips757]

Hopefully this is the right spot to post this, if not i apologize ahead of time. I am new here and this will be my first post. I have used this forum for some time for some good information.

So I have the standard broke mans dream, to have a nice boat (center console in my case). After looking around for awhile I started to really fall in love with some of the older hulls, and restorations people have done. After talking to many people about it, they say the older hulls tend to be better, heavier boats. On top of it all, getting a project boat isn't a huge up front investment, something I can trickle money into over time and get the exact boat I want, a win/win.

For awhile now I had looked at a few boats in my criteria, 20'-24' center console, mid 70s to mid 80s. Most were too far gone for me to want to even try any work on. Also, I would like to say I am a very handy person, who feels very confident with my ability/ skill to do something like this.

After looking for a bit, I came across what I think is a killer deal. Its a 1978 wellcraft F20 20'. The guy redid the stringers and transom, as well as the deck. The transom in my opinion needs to be redone, although looks very solid. Obviously I cant count on someone else work, so i plan on cutting out the deck and checking over everything as well as taking liberty in arranging storage and things to my liking. I got the boat, trailer, and a brand new sea star hydraulic steering kit, and the fuel tank is a 61 gal, custom made out of aluminum by ADS(?) for $600.

Questions I have
Is this hull worth putting a few thousand into to restore?
I cant find any real resources on this particular hull, people refer to them as V20 fishermans, but this i clearly an F20, whats the deal?
I really like full transoms, i'm considering redoing the transom, and adding the armstrong engine platform / bracket on the back, good idea or bad?
Any restoration resources for this particular boat anyone could point me too?

See attached photos, an thank you too anyone commenting.

 

[phatdaddy]

So are these shots of work u did or pics in the ad? Might just be the angle, but looks like a long shaft motor on a short shaft transom.

 

[Redloon]

I've got a 78 V20 center console I'm working on and it is worth it to me. I like the split boxes up front. It is nearly 3 feet from the deck to the top of the cap up front so when I'm fishing in swells or waves and standing between the front boxes I feel pretty secure. It is also safer for my grand daughter up there.


I spent quite a while looking for this particular model year. I've got a 1981 V-20 cuddy cabin I use while fixing up the center console. The center console is on the right in the picture.

 

[RippinLips757]

So are these shots of work u did or pics in the ad? Might just be the angle, but looks like a long shaft motor on a short shaft transom.

This is from who I bought it from, I have already decided im removing the deck for a few reasons, I want to double check the stringer work as well as make some below deck storage.

And your probably right, but the engine is getting junked, I have a 03 honda 225 four stroke waiting for me to close the transom, as well as add an Armstrong bracket (ive decided).

I've got a 78 V20 center console I'm working on and it is worth it to me. I like the split boxes up front. It is nearly 3 feet from the deck to the top of the cap up front so when I'm fishing in swells or waves and standing between the front boxes I feel pretty secure. It is also safer for my grand daughter up there.


I spent quite a while looking for this particular model year. I've got a 1981 V-20 cuddy cabin I use while fixing up the center console. The center console is on the right in the picture.

Looks good, the Carolina flare is one of my favorite things, I like to smash through some waves. I do like the boxes up front but I am HEAVILY considering removing them for more of a casting deck approach. It will allow me to get some more storage across, as well as get a pad made for laying down if I decide im not fishing.

 

[Destroyer]

I cant find any real resources on this particular hull, people refer to them as V20 fishermans, but this i clearly an F20, whats the deal?

Why do you refer to your boat as an F20? I could be wrong, but, to the best of my knowledge all of the various hull designs (Cuddy cabins, Dual consoles, Center consoles) were all V20 Steplifts. Could it be you're confused because it's a V20 Fisherman?

Truthfully I've never heard of a F20 before your post

In all cases, yes, she is most definitely worth restoring. They are awesome boats that will get you out and bring you home again at the end of the day. Good luck with your project and please, keep us posted with lots of pictures. We love boat porn here

 

[RippinLips757]

Why do you refer to your boat as an F20? I could be wrong, but, to the best of my knowledge all of the various hull designs (Cuddy cabins, Dual consoles, Center consoles) were all V20 Steplifts. Could it be you're confused because it's a V20 Fisherman?

Truthfully I've never heard of a F20 before your post

In all cases, yes, she is most definitely worth restoring. They are awesome boats that will get you out and bring you home again at the end of the day. Good luck with your project and please, keep us posted with lots of pictures. We love boat porn here

Will do, currently working on the 225 honda outboard I picked up for it and for it to cool off a bit for the glass work.

The hull is stamped F20, looking it up wellcraft used V20 as an all encompassing name due to it being the same hull, but with the fishermans (center consoles) they are a Fisherman 20 (F20)

 

[Myfathersson]

My 1987 has an F20 stamped below at the end of the HIN. The original vinyl said Fisherman 20 on the side but if you look closely at pics of the cuddy version the hull is exactly the same down to the little rise just behind the bow flare. Slight variations year to year in fitments and underdeck arrangement but all in all they're the same beasts. Looks like a good find to me. If the transom is solid just make sure it's sealed up well and the thru holes are sealed up tight. Even a less than stellar transom replacement should give you more life than the factory solution if they made use of the right materials. Plenty of threads here on different restos so I think you're in the right place. The search function is your friend!