Looking for suggestion/comments/ideas

[phatdaddy]

Boating is a great way to loose money.

I was in the same situation. My 150 Mercury died and i decided to put a $13,500 new one on a hull worth $1500 on a good day. I liked the hull and knew the hull. I’m sure my transom has some water in it and the stringers too. The great thing about outboards is the ease of taking them off. Four or six bolts, undo some cables and it’s done.

I figured if the hull gave out, i could sell the newer motor and only be out $7000 or $8,000. That was 10 years ago.

Best decision I’ve made in a while. New engine gave me a lot more confidence than the 20 year old did.

I did replace the fuel tank when i repowered.

I say, if ur transom is decent and u like the boat, repower.

 

[Pipe_Dream]

In 2004 we did a complete refit, repower and repaint. No transom work or stringer work necessary. Invested way more than I knew we would ever recoup, but the wife and I figured she'd be our last boat as in forever (we were in our early 40s then). All good until 2016 when I made the mistake of leaving her in the water when Hurricane Mathew came and put her partway under at the dock. She got a little battered and beat up and the engine went under. After considering all options we settled on repowering and leaving the cosmetics alone. Battle scars. In hindsight a great decision. Insurance paid enough for the cost of repowering because we got stated value back in 2004 after all the work had been done. We still get to enjoy our boat and we're not worried about the scars -- and the wife gets to practice running and docking solo without worrying about learning curve dings.

All of this to say that sometimes simple is best. Maybe do the minimum to bring the V-21 up to par and enjoy it -- and leave the rest of the money in the bank.

 

[steplift20]

A hundred thousand dollars to repair a 1996 21 foot wellcraft? Am I hearing you correctly? That is insane. Even if I was a millionaire I wouldn’t spend that much that person who quoted you that price doesn5 want the job. He was hoping you would walk. And I hope you did. The Steplift is a great boat but not 5hat great. If he said it would cost about ten 5housand to get it in perfect condition. Maybe it would be worth it. Crazy prices these thief’s what.

 

[Skycopper]

I was quite shocked. I was prepared to spend maybe 20-25,000 for all the structural and paint, plus engine and electronics. I put a deposit on a Dusky 227 V XF this morning. The hull had just popped out of the mold an hour before my arrival. Another great boat, but not the same comfort level inside. It will be a great ride though. AND I get to hand pick what I want on it and what I don't. All custom. Anyone had any experience with a Suzuki 250AP? The wife talked me out of the Merc 250 V8 because Dusky isn't a Merc dealer and she's a one stop shop girl.

 

[phatdaddy]

Congrats on the new ride. One of my fishing buddies has a 20 ft Dusky. Great boat,you will really enjoy it!! The bracket and enclosed transom is a nice feature.

as far as the engine,Heard a lotta nice things about Suzuki.. Having a good dealer is important

Just because u got another brand, Don't be a stranger Take us on the Dusky ride with u

 

[Skycopper]

OK, you asked for it. This is my hull as it popped from the mold this morning 1 hour before I wrote the check. I could have had a White hull about 1 month from completion, but I put the wife in charge of cosmetics and me in charge of mechanical bits. So she chose a light grey hull and there just happened to be one in the mold! More as she takes shape.

 

[Pipe_Dream]

You've done a terrible thing . . .






You've given me boat envy. But congratulations. Looking forward to seeing the finished product!
A new boat! I wonder what that's like?

 

[Skycopper]

This will be the second time in my life.

I tend to keep things a long time. So I learned when I wanted a new car I came home one night and proclaimed out loud: "This is the longest I have ever lived in the same house, had the same job, been with the same woman, and driven the same car, somethings going to change tonight", after a few moments of silence the wife screamed, "You wanna go car shopping, RIGHT????"

 

[Skycopper]

Anyone who wants a free 1996 V21 Steplift for parts or restoration come and get it. Bring a trailer and that's it, it's yours. I will drive it down to the boat ramp and you can drive it away from there. Solid transom, good 200hp Evinrude, anchor and 300ft 1/2 line. Plus a small stern anchor. Garmin depth-finder fish-finder is operational but the GPS mount failed and its really old tech. Deck and cabin flooring are starting to show signs on softening. Will need work but she does run good. Speak up soon as I want to make room for a fresh start.

 

[steplift20]

Free? Thats crazy. Give her to a family member or a very close friend.

 

[phatdaddy]

Are u down near Dania? We have a member, Builder Fl in south Miami. Hope he sees this.

 

[Skycopper]

Plantation Fl. About 10 miles north and west of Dania.

I have no kids (probably why I am buying my second new boat, LOL), and any close friends I have into boating already have there own. So it would be nice if there was someone with the skills to resurrect her, or someone restoring there own that needs a parts donor.

 

[dmoore]

I own a 1996 V-21 as well. Actually this is my 2nd one. I sold the first 96 like an idiot. Much later when my current one came up for sale which is just about as pristine as the 1rst I jumped on it. Previous owner had beefed up the stern filling the void between the outer and inner transom which deleted that aluminum trim that does nothing to keep water out. Then he hung a 2005 200hp Etech with Seastar hydraulic steering and Evinrude extreme duty cables and shifter. He had previously installed Bennett tabs (I would have gone with Lenco, no hydraulic reservoir and lines). Upon my buying the boat 3 years ago I have made several improvements such as replacing both chairs with Todd Cape Cod, a Lewmar S/S bow pulpit, relocating port/stbd running lights on bow outboard, Whitecap S/S Hawse pipe, cleaned up all wiring runs port side, installed a Blu Sea battery switch, cleaned up wiring behind console, replaced original guages with same brand. Replaced compass with exact brand, replaced all nylon thru hulls with Groco S/S (5 total), Replaced original Bimini with a low profile Carver top with S/S frame, and the best modification IMO, removed those useless rod boxes and installed storage boxes both sides. The 5 year old Group 27 battery he had installed is still in the boat and showing no signs of giving up YET. I recently attended the Mid Atlantic Boat show in Va Beach, Va. and left there realizing a boat in the 20-21 range today with a 200hp engine would set you back so far you wouldn't be able to afford the gas to put in it! And don't get me started on the fishing room! The V-21 is a great boat, easy to handle, maintain and fill up. This boat is exceptional while keeping it inside a climate controlled building ensures all the work put into it keeps it looking and functioning well for many years.

 

[dmoore]

.

 

[dmoore]

And she raises fish when others are not!

 

[Skycopper]

I would have loved to keep mine indoors the last 30yrs but no room for that. The next best thing was hanging her on davits in my backyard, flip a switch, then turn the key and were off. No trailering hassles, boat ramp fiascos, submerged vehicles. But the south Fl sun takes a toll.

 

[phatdaddy]

If you can’t find anyone you want to “gift” your V to, have u heard of Boat Angels? I don’t know anything about them or the process, but u do get a tax deduction and don’t have to deal with selling yourself.

 

[Skycopper]

Thank you. Looking into it. BTW I have a complete custom made, hand fitted blue boat cover I had made when the boat was new. VERY lightly used. Was a bit of a pain to install when the boat was hanging from davits. Shipping if needed is on you. A small donation to the new boat cause would not be refused. Anyone seriously interested and I will dig it out of storage and send a pic.

 

[Skycopper]

First trip into the daylight.

 

[phatdaddy]

Nice. Whens the due date for ur new baby?