posted 11-23-2009 07:22 PM ET (US)        

I would appreciate hearing about the [advantages and disadvantages] of [a 1980 Boston Whaler OUTRAGE v-20] and the horsepower best suited to this hull. So far I've read that the internal aluminum fuel tanks are a weak point, and that the ride is not as good as the older Outrage 18 boats. My interest in the boat is that my Dauntless 16 is not perfectly suited for the fishing I do. It will fish two in perfect comfort and three in acceptable comfort but four do not do so well. So I'm looking into a slightly larger boat at reasonable cost. In addition to the utility the Outrage may offer, I would not mind restoring it to as original condition as my boat allowance will allow.

I'm guessing a re-power will be required, as well as a replacement trailer and possibly hull paint. Certainly new electronics will be required but that can be put off for a while except for a VHF and fishfinder.

Thanks for your help.

Butch

posted 11-23-2009 09:54 PM ET (US)            

The c.1980 Boston Whaler OUTRAGE V-20 was constructed in the same manner as all classic Boston Whaler boats, and I do not find anything particular to it that would warrant special attention. My advice on evaluation of classic Boston Whaler boat is given in

Buying Classic Boston Whaler Boats
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/buying.html

I do not believe there is anything specific to the c.1980 Boston Whaler OUTRAGE V-20 aluminum fuel tank which would make it a point of concern, other than it is a 29-year-old fuel tank. Any aluminum fuel tank at age 29 is suspect. Certainly any rubber components in the fuel system will need careful inspection and likely replacement.

Regarding the hull shape of an OUTRAGE V-20 and how it compares with other models, my opinion is that in light of the much greater emphasis on fuel economy in operating a boat nowadays, the OUTRAGE V-20 offers some advantages. The OUTRAGE V-20 can be driven onto plane with modest power, and as a result its fuel economy at cruise should be excellent. The advantages are twofold:

--a smaller motor can be used, and smaller motors are less expensive;

--fuel economy should be very good at cruise, reducing operating expense.

When moving to a 20-foot boat from a 16-foot boat, I would anticipate that the larger boat will provide improved ride characteristics. Many times we hear reports about boats and how they ride based on their handling when being run into head seas at high speeds. If your basis for evaluating a boat is how well it can run at high speeds into head seas, you will likely not be happy with most classic Boston Whaler boats, and particularly so with the OUTRAGE V-20. On the other hand, if you want a stable platform for fishing at drift of low speeds, you probably will like the OUTRAGE V-20.

posted 11-24-2009 09:45 AM ET (US)            

If the boat is on a trailer, include that asset in the assessment of the asking price. A good trailer for a 20-foot boat can be quite expensive.

If the boat has a running motor, it can be sold and the income used to offset a new motor. Include this factor in your calculations.

posted 11-24-2009 11:32 PM ET (US)            

Here's a nice write up about that model Outrage: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/V20Outrage/ Hopefully that will give you a little insight about this boat.

As for a repower, now seems to be the time! The maximum HP rating for boat is 180hp with a minimum of 85hp. I've seen a couple of engines already this winter for sale at good prices. You might be able to pick up the boat and a 115hp engine (a couple of years old) for less than $9K.

If it really in all original, you might as well take the time to make any or all repairs needed. I'd probably start from scratch. If you are going to repower, it might be worth it to pull the console and remove the floor. The boat is 29 years old, did they make alchohol resistant hoses back then? Check the tank, and replace anything that looks suspect. It'll be so much easier to do something like that now rather then in a year, after you've hung the engine and installed new gauges.

One last thing, if you are really committed to this boat, you might ask for a volunteer from that area to check it out. It might save you a trip in the end.

Good luck in your quest. When the time comes, that'll be the model I'll be looking for.

posted 11-24-2009 11:47 PM ET (US)         

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v429/lgoltz/Outrage%2019/?action=view& current=Scan0006.jpg

posted 11-25-2009 09:40 AM ET (US)            

Depending on your intended use, I would consider more than 115 HP for this hull, especially as you intend to have 4 people and fishing gear aboard. I recommend a 'bottom level' of 150 HP; so you're looking at 150 HP and 175 HP motors, which are often on the same block/weight...so the upgrade to 175 HP is simply a matter of the increased cost for that HP (with no weight penalty).

The benefits of this hull are that you have increased length and stability over the 18' Outrage and the extra length helps to make up for the lower deadrise to smooth out the ride. I would expect it to ride similar to an 18' Outrage, yet much rougher than a 22' Outrage.

Fishing from the bow area may be more difficult as there are no "steps" in the bow. Just a smooth curve that reflects the exterior smirk. My concern with this is that it may be a "trip" hazard - your feet will only find flat while your knees are about 8" back from the gunwale. As this is the only place in the boat where that is true, you may find yourself trying to step forward toward the gunwale and then slipping or tripping on that. Boston Whaler later addressed this by adding two flat "step" pads on either side of the anchor locker in the bow.

Advantages - towing can be done easily with a single-axle trailer and a moderate sized 6 cylinder SUV or small pickup. The hull is likely more efficient than similarly sized boats. I know Dave Hart (Hoosier) gets very good economy with a 115 HP 4-stroke and he's not even running with a very efficient prop.

If this boat is in good condition, it sounds like you may have a good buy on your hands, provided you've budgeted for new power and trailer.

Regards,

posted 11-25-2009 11:05 AM ET (US)            

I'm now much more interested in the Outrage V-20. If the boat in Destin is as advertised I'll have to give it a very close look. We'll be there for a week for a little vacation so I can afford to spend a lot of time looking into things.

In a way I hope it's a poor example requiring much money and effort to put it into use. Otherwise I may feel compelled to bring it home, and if I do I'll then have to find the time to put it into proper condition.

I retired thirteen years ago and it seems to be very difficult to find enough spare time to get all the things done that need doing. It also seems weird to speak of taking a vacation while retired. Do we really need a vacation from a vacation?

Thanks, again.

posted 11-25-2009 03:22 PM ET (US)            

I think the year boat you're looking at has the bow lockers, mine doesn't, so the slip hazard shouldn't apply. The '79 in the reference article shows what the bow lockers look like.

My V-20 is about a 3100 lb tow load, boat motor, trailer, and "stuff". The V-20 hull only weighs 1500 lb, only 600 lb more than my '86 Montauk. For that 600 lb you get a whole lot more boat. (See the reference article for a side-by-side view). If I had to do it again, I'd put a Suzuki DF-140 on it, more HP but no weight penalty. I can get up to the low thirties with my DF-115 and my high performance prop. I only use that prop when I hang out with Dave, he's a little hard over about performance...;-)

posted 11-25-2009 07:16 PM ET (US)            

The photographs provided by the dealer selling the V-20 Outrage in Destin show the bow lockers installed. I believe they had openings without any hatches. I'll know what's up when I look the boat over.

Part of the reason I'm excited about the boat is that from everything I've read it would, indeed, be a pretty ideal boat for this area including offshore fishing in good weather. I've not tried offshore fishing in this area although I've fished offshore from Kwajalien (sp?) Atoll and Palau, in the seventies and off Port Isabel/Padre Island, TX in the forties. I enjoyed it but now stick to inshore species. To fish offshore would require a whole other inventory of gear. With a more offshore capable boat I would probably give it a try.

Agin, guys, thanks for all the information.

posted 11-29-2009 06:20 PM ET (US)            

http://picasaweb.google.com/newtrevenge/ V20?authkey=Gv1sRgCL3tuOuog5qG6wE#

posted 11-29-2009 06:33 PM ET (US)            

I have high hopes. More to come after my return from Destin on the 8th of December.

Again, thanks to all.

posted 11-30-2009 11:01 PM ET (US)            

I think the boat would have performed better with trim tabs, although a Doel-fin hydrofoil appendage really did help keep it on plane at a lower speed.

posted 12-07-2009 06:20 PM ET (US)            

The asking price of $4900 was not sufficiently attractive to me to make the purchase. I offered $3500 to the salesperson and she declined to share it with management. Consequently I did not accept the offered sea trial. Plus, it was darn cold for this area.

I'm rather happy not to have been able to buy the boat for the price I offered. It is in very bad condition although it appears to be original in almost every aspect. The deck and console hardware is in good condition but some needs to be replated. I believe it is all there. There were extensive stress cracks in virtually every curve of the inside of the hull. Some looked very deep.

The hull bottom looked good except for some chips along the chine (smirk) which appeared to be caused by improper trailer launching or loading. The bottom had just been painted which was a negative in my opinion due to the paint perhaps covering any defects. The visible chine chips appeared to be easy to repair.

The hull sides were another matter. It was not possible to find any part of the hull sides of more than two square feet that was not wavy. There were indentations along the entire length of the hull sides. Some were quite deep perhaps as much as a half inch. I did not see any clear signs of delamination but the hull appeared to have been badly beaten over time.

The rub rail is shot. The bow and gunnel railings were in excellent condition except for the need to replate. One bow rail stanchion mount was free of the gunnel with only one screw poking down into the hole. The holes were full of water and stripped out. The damage appeared to be old.

The fuel tank leaks and a Tempo portable tank was connected to the engine. The tank was behind the pedestal chairs.

The console was in pretty decent condition and the hand rails were present and looked pretty good. A soaked console cover was laying on the rear deck. The only electronics installed was an SMR VHF which appeared to be an early vintage. There was no antenna. A transducer was mounted on the transom. The steering wheel would turn to port with ease but turning to starboard was difficult requiring at least twice the effort.

A new bimini top was installed.

The engine was an Evinrude Ocean Pro of unknown vintage. It ran well and the trim and tilt worked well. It had a stainless propeller that was nick free but looked like an old fashioned propeller with mouse ear looking blades. Due to the aforementioned steering issue I would suspect the steering tube may require some attention but I don't know enough about steering problems to have any confidence in my guess.

The transom seemed to be in good condition except on the starboard side where it had some areas where it appeared a trolling motor may have been mounted directly to the hull without a bracket. The damage was bad enough that the fiberglass fabric had been disturbed.

The trailer appeared to be usable. It needs a fresh set of tires and a new winch. I would not tow it except to the nearest place to have the wheel bearings repacked or replaced as needed.

The only thing that kept me from buying the boat was the condition of the hull sides and the possibility of water ingress at the bow rail stanchion already mentioned. I don't know if the hull sides can be brought back into decent condition. I certainly lack the skills required to do it and would guess the cost to have it done professionally would be prohibitive to me.

This boat may be a good candidate for salvage for the parts.