Top Cap and Hull Compatability

R

Rockafella9

New member
Hello V20 folks,

I have a 1988 fisherman V20 center console and damaged the hull to the point where we need access to the stringers. This is an expensive repair.

My question is does anyone here know if the Top Cap from my 1988 center console will line up with the stringers in a dual console hull ? They look identical on the floor design and same year same color and decals. I have an opportunity to purchase a 1988 dual console hull in mint condition and if I can swap the Cap over from my center console to the dual consoles hull this would be better in my mind.

My current issue is cross cracks port to starboard and forward to aft with the latter being about 8ft long. Plus about a16th of an inch crack all along the outside corner of the bottom starboard side lifting strake. We suspect stringer delamination so this will be an expensive and time consuming repair. The Cap swap is not easy either but the hull swap puts a hull that was never compromised back under me and that sounds good. Love my V20 and considering all I have into it, this makes sense. This is the best cc I ever owned, rides good, dry, fast, nible, stable, and with a 175 opti its very fuel efficient so it just checks all the boxes for me. Thank you for any advise on my question Kind Regards.
 

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And I’m worried about drilling a hole into my console. A 1 inch hole.
I’m sure the heavy hitters are going to get back to you. I hope you can post pictures of the progress going forward
I just looked at those pictures. That looks like roller marks from the trailer to me. Actually your boat looks very nice
 
That’s a lot of work ,seems like locating another center console would be a better option.

Since it is a CC, can’t u remove the console and cut out the deck, leaving a 3 inch lip all around the gunnels. This would give access to stringers to do your repair.

If you’re going that route, I’d take a look at the transom. Most problems in these hulls are in the stern.
 
Thank you, yes Steplift20 and Phatdaddy, its in nice condition all around very solid even transom is perfect like a rock. Thats why I was considering taking the top cap off to keep the original floor in tact and i found a perfect hull with same decals never painted but its a dual sport console and thats what I am wondering if the stringer layout is the same because that would keep the integrity of the hull. Plus its going to be an epic repairing that lifting strake and stringers. Love this Boat, fixing it is best and I know what I have as I have looked at other v20 ccs and the ones I have seen have not been taken care of very well. This boat was stored inside by original owner 8 months out of the year. I bought it from the original owner, it needed a motor so put an opti 175 on it and its fuel efficient, fast and rides well you know perfect, why this design isn't still being made is beyond me. Get the bow out of the water and she flys...put the bow down and plow your way back home dry as a bone. Thank you for the input fellas I will post the project pics once we get started and if anyone happens to know specifically the stringer layout in a dual console vs center console that would be great. Phatdaddy you may be right and as my last resort I will have to cut the floor out but I dont want to. Kind Regards.
 
I wish you luck. But I would really think about that. She looks in. Great shape.
Why are you replacing the stringers? That’s the bones of the hull.
If she was stored inside 8 months out of the year. She should be solid
And to answer your question
Why did they stop making such a great hull?
Here is ,my answer. I DONT KNOW. To me the wellcraft Steplift hull is the best of both worlds.
I own my 1978 for about 30 years. And I still to this day. Love that boat love looking at her.
It’s like a classic car. They get better with age.
 
My good friend is a pro boat fiberglass repair tech, has his own shop and does incredible work. He said the cross cracks are almost always delaminated or rotted stringers, this V20 is 1988 and has solid fiberglass stringers not wood, but they can still come detached from the hull and cause this problem. He said no sense in doing an outside only repair cause if there is delamination we have to start over so we better have a look inside, which is good cause we can replace the foam too. This was caused by a hit my friend said and I just cant recall hitting anything. I have had it out in the ocean when the weather would blow up and 3 to 5 footers and a head wind and it plows right threw it moderately but 1 to 3 she can do 40 plus on top and never get you wet. So maybe I clocked something in heavy sea I dont know but I am not a happy camper about it. Just want my baby back in the water. Ty
 
I read that they changed to full fiberglass stringers in late 80s on these boats. This could be wrong I suppose but we will find out when we open it up. My friend that repairs and rebuilds boats said he dont know but there were some older boats from the time that had full fiberglass stringers. Whatevers in there is getting fixed if I cant switch the cap to another uncompromised hull.
 
The biggest difference I’ve seen in the caddy’s is the tank location. Mine is an 84 and tank is all the aft against the splashwell. Couple years later, they moved it to midship. On the CConsoles, isn’t it under the console?

These were mass produced hulls with 3 different caps, so I can’t imagine them building 3 different stringers grids. If there is any variations, I would think maybe in the bulkheads.

We have had a few who pulled the caps. Most built a couple of A frames to pull boats under, pull all screws under rub rail. Get a couple of harbor freight chain hoist and start lifting. I think most resistance was is where the cap attaches to the transom.

What ever u do, please take pics and share
 
My tank is I think 50 or 60 gallon and its under the console slightly forward. I think your right the hull and stringers are probably the same given production reasons. The floor of the 88 dual console looks identical to the CC, and it appears the tank is also in the same place looking at the layout of the floor access panels and storage. I will most certainly post pictures of the process. Not sure when we are getting started yet but hoping to have it completed by this coming spring.
 
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