The Arrival

I suspect I was more fortunate than most. My V 20 was in good shape when I bought her. I bought her from a guy down the street, so I was able to look her over good and I was able to sea trial my boat on a rough day before I bought her. The only thing that I had to fix was the hatch over the gas tank. Otherwise I've been running her just as I bought her. I've made a few minor mods but she is for the most part just like I bought her. The down side? I bet I paid more than you did to get her. Like been said this is a hobby and it's gonna cost something. Pay now or pay later, either way you'll pay. The key is you got a great boat and your wife hasn't thrown you out. Now the fun begins!!!
Congrats and enjoy
 
Tuna its standard crapola you run into when you buy anything used. Distance just adds to the questions. Plus your opinion of what is OK or acceptable can be completly different from the guy you are buying it from. Some people have no real pride in what they own, I've found for my purchases over the years that one of the key things I look for is the fellow who is torn about even selling her because he really loves the boat or is so proud of his work/maintenance of her.
I'm 52 years old and I just counted that I have had nine boats over the years, all used, and each one had one or more major issue, or a combination of major and minors.
But I enjoyed working on each, learned something from them all and in the end would not have really changed much.
BGrace is right on the money with his comments, his experience common.
Take stock in what you have, most times its best to lay the boat out in immediate must do's, for safety of you and yours, reliabilty on the water and pure functionality to pursue your interests.
Then lay out some improvements you need or want to make, usually these are some comfort items and cosmetic improvements.
If your hull is solid, floors and transom good you are ahead of the game. Wiring from the factory was not very good on these Wellcrafts to begin with and twenty some years of fiddiling and repairing and adding equipment by various "experts" usually results in a conditon that looks like a bowl of spaghetti.
You'll sort it out and you will repair it to the level that makes you happy and in the end you will be cruising the left coast with those great sunsets, maybe with the wife and a couple of cosmos or a couple of rods trolling out the back. Either way smile and enjoy the ride.
 
Tuna...yer gonna work thru all the issues, electrical and others, then you'll get to use and enjoy it 8) ... I put all new gauges, switch panels, fuse panels and electronics in new when I got mine and have never regretted it ... ;) ... it's like the man who ate the elephant...one bite at the time ;) ;D ...


Anything specific, just ask...we'll help all we can...that's the power of this board 8) ...
 
Just throw it away!! But wait till I am there to catch it!! ;D

I bought my boat for $1800, no outdrive, $1500 to find one and have rebuilt.

Year 2, outdrive frozen solid cause the guy that rebuilt it did not put a new yok and it wore the seal and allowed water in, I to lazy did not change lower unit iol in the fall, so rusted soild, another $600
Same season, The head rotted thur and had to be replaced, Bought used motor for patrs took head and replaced mine.

Year 3, started season putting new manifold and riser, $900, then after 2 weeks the oil pan rotted thur, Pulled motor and swaped pan's with the parts motor.
2 weeks later the engin coupler blows and have to remove the engin again $300
Then the gimble bracket breaks and cost me $600 more.

Year 4, head gasket went, oil and water mixing all season, I know cared!! Just kept adding oil and made it thur another season.

Year 5, pulled motor converted to bracket, added outboard,

After that I had 3 years no problmes!! ;D Then last season blew the motor. Well that was it I had no money and was selling out!
But everyone here helped me get another motor!! ;D ;D

But thats a huge story of its own!!

And this was a short version!! i figure I have a 1975 (32 year old) boat that has cost me some $14,000 that I will never see again, and I have used my boat every year, during all the problems!

The problems will never end, but what you learn is priceless!! In the end you will have a boat that you no every bolt, wire, crack, hicup, and you will be a beter person for it!!
 
TUNA, trust me brother, the guy who sold me my V should have been thrown in JAIL. But at the same time, I'm happy I have her. ;D, except when I am trying to paint. Did I tell ya, I HATE PAINTING !!! >:( ;D
 
Tuna,

I had a similar problem buying a boat based on someones opinion of sound with no problems. Needed to replace transom, stringers, floor, and a ton of hull chips, and mechanics were not trustworthy to go in the ocean. I made the decision that the investment into the hull was too much. Sold the parts of the boat so I broke even or close. Found another v20 and I'm working the kinks out of that one right now, but am happy I went this route. Time for me is too tight, I want to fish in my V!!! I wish you luck
 
Thanks guys.  Really, I'm already in love with this boat.  Took her to the car wash today and powerwashed all the road grime and scent of the former owner.  Afterwards I drove her over to my local tackle store and showed her off to the guys who run the place.

Tomorrow light rain is predicted.  I just went out, put the boat cover on and whispered nice things into her scuppers.  Tuesday the kicker and bracket get mounted and the main engine gets a thorough going over.

The other problems... well I just blame it all on you guys.  It YOUR FAULT for getting me all excited about V's in the first place  ;)

I create a gallery a post pics of the progress.
 
willy said:
Tuna its standard crapola you run into when you buy anything used. Distance just adds to the questions. Plus your opinion of what is OK or acceptable can be completly different from the guy you are buying it from. Some people have no real pride in what they own, I've found for my purchases over the years that one of the key things I look for is the fellow who is torn about even selling her because he really loves the boat or is so proud of his work/maintenance of her.
Click to expand...


The guy I bought my V from was nearly bawling when I drove away. ;D

Willy.....I am thinking of trying my hand at some wiring....nothing major but wanting to clean up everything behind the helm. Sticking the new horn on got me one that idea......my wife says I'm anal retentive (I hesitate to use that expression on this board :) ) and I suppose she's right. I'll be sure to have the camera handy when I get around to it. Right now I just want to splash down and go fishing!!!!!
 
I wasn't crying, you got any 8x10 color glossies with names and dates of that on the back, if not I deny it. Grown men don't cry over such things for pete's sake :'(
 
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