Wellcraft V20 CC vs SC 20

[abl1111]

Anyone had experience between the two ?

[bumpdraft]

Well,sort of. A good friend of mine used to have a 70’s 18’ and had to sell it. When he got back to boating again, he bought a wellcraft 20. He only had it about six months when we went on a three day fishing trip to the Keys. He, in the wellcraft and me in my seacraft 18. It got rough in one part of the journey home and he had trouble keeping up with me. A couple of weeks later he bought a 20 Seacraft and was happy again.

[Bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by abl1111

Anyone had experience between the two ?

I do. I've owned both. V20 is decent in head seas, NOT good in following seas or quartering. SeaCraft tracks straight in following seas at all speeds. You need more power to push the v20.

Lots of differences in construction too. What specifically do you want to know?

[flyingfrizzle]

I cant imagine anyone else who would know more about those two hulls as Bigshrimpin...

[Capt Terry]

Bushwacker and I previously commented on this. In short Bushwacker’s 20 Seafari and Reilands 21 made a return from the Bahamas on a rough trip unscathed. My friends V20 cracked so badly longitudinally am surprised he made it. I thought the V20 construction under the deck was pretty shoddy. This was probably late 1970s.

[Bigshrimpin]

This was Ole's trip back in the day.

[Bigshrimpin]

Originally Posted by Capt Terry

Bushwacker and I previously commented on this. In short Bushwacker’s 20 Seafari and Reilands 21 made a return from the Bahamas on a rough trip unscathed. My friends V20 cracked so badly longitudinally am surprised he made it. I thought the V20 construction under the deck was pretty shoddy. This was probably late 1970s.

The first generation v20 until 70 - 78/79 were built like crap. The later years were a bit better.

[Bigshrimpin]

Tore my windshield off when I stuffed the bow crossing Stellwagen. I regularly fished the boat 30 - 40 miles from Boston. This was the last year I owned the v20.

[abl1111]

I have been keeping my eye open for my kid's first boat. I have always liked the V20, Ray Hunt (Bertram designer) design of the V20, the Carolina flare, Deep V and the ride. However, I've always been in a buddy's 1979 cuddy. I would think the CC would be a better option - and I found a really clean one with no motor.

But, after reading, I did hear the CC is bow light and does not allow the deep V of the bow to cut into the chop without trim tabs to bring the bow down. And, the construction can be suspect. Lastly, a friend we call Big Guy has fished both and saidf the cuddy has more fishing room than the CC.

I was going to buy it, repair a few things and then pickle the hull until my kid is a little older.

[Bigshrimpin]

The hull is decent, but I DO NOT like the following sea handling. The tendency of the hull to dig in and bow steer is unreal . . . Your bow digs into the next wave and tries to seer off in one direction or the other. V20 is totally unpredictable in a following sea. If you want a Ray Hunt hull find a Hiliner. It's 100x's better ride in all conditions. The Hiliner 222 is a refined/improved version of the Bertram 20 and one of Ray Hunt's later power boat designs. If you want a smaller unsinkable hull for the kids . . . 17 HenryO is hard to beat.