Transom Question

[DTM65]

Can someone clear my head on the different style transoms?

I understood that the trasom was changed for outboards mounts to a smaller style opening yet I find various newer year V20s with the "old wide" transom. Just confused or understood wrong.

In the photos below left to right are 1978, 1982, 1984, and 1985 models. At least this is what there ads stated.

 

[macojoe]

Wellcraft played around with different years, Back in the early years thre were some with twin motors. but they all run the same. If it was me I would preferre the smallest transom opening as to try to keep the most water out,
But if I got a deal on something wide it would not stop me from buying .

 

[nymack66]

The first Hull from the left is not a 78 looks more like my 83 , second picture the owner cut down to a 20" from a 25" like I did on my 84 it was a 25" stock I re-mod it to a 20" by cutting it down ...
Here are two pictures of 83 and 84 hull ..

 

[DTM65]

Any thoughts?

This is what I have found but cannot go look at until next weekend (too much going on this weekend). http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1986-WELLCRAFT-V20-97358745

$1200 for a 1986. I thought it was a decent price.

Any thoughts or has anyone looked at this one?

If it checks out ok, my plans are to close the transom, install a small bracket (to keep the swim platform if possible) and repower with a 115 to 150.

Being an extreme novice all of the above will take some time.

 

[macojoe]

1986 WELLCRAFT V20, 1986 WELL CRAFT V20 W/ MERC 165 HP MOTOR. MOTOR NEEDS OUT DRIVE, GIMBLE RING, AND HOUSING. THE HULL IS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH SMALL CUDDY CABIN. CAN BE USED FOR DRY STORAGE OR SLEEPER

A 165 I/O is not getting it to 40 mph!!

Cuddy fir dry storage is fine but a sleeper


The rest of the boat looks pretty good!! Maked sure to ck the transom for rot, it could become a pile of sawdust fast!

A full transom like that is a great bracket boat!! I did mine and was never happier!

Also when you take all the I/O parts out DO NOT THROW AWAY!! I sold all them old parts for just about $1000, and its amazing what the guys looking for parts want!

Good Luck!

 

[Destroyer]

TREAD CAREFULLY!!!!!! Look...lets get real here folks. That boat is being sold by a dealer. A dealer that knows the value of boats and equipment. Sure, it's a great looking boat. In fact it's too good looking.
1) That trailer is a tandem I beam alum trailer.. easily worth $1200 by itself.
2) Look at the outdrive. Look at the prop. Look at the corrosion. If there's that much corrosion that it has eaten the propeller, what do you think the engine is like? To me that's an indication of the general maintenance that this boat DIDN"T get.

I'd be very leary of the transom and the stringers being a bunch of mushy sawdust.

Dealers do not sell boats low priced because they like you. They sell low priced because they know that's only what the boat is worth.

All that being said, if you're willing to put in the work and the expense of a transom, bracket and engine then you may very well have a good buy.
there.

Certainly, the trailer is worth it by itself.

Just my 2 pennies worth. v1

 

[DTM65]

Any other items to look at?

Like I stated earlier, I am going to check it out. I know photos can be deceiving and so can dealers. The only thing the dealer has stated is “THE HULL IS IN GOOD CONDITION” and “NICE FIXER UPPER FOR MECHANIC OR HANDY MAN”.

However I will not be going alone. My father and uncle are going with me. They are the ones to blame for my love of the NC coast and boats.

I am not too concerned about the engine or outdrive. My chief concern is exactly the same as yours; the transom and stringers. As long as these are intact and have integrity I don’t think it would be that bad of a purchase.

So we will see how it checks out, good or bad.

 

[randlemanboater]

Did you buy it? Link doesnt take you to a boat anymore.