posted 10-11-2011 09:33 AM ET (US)        

I am looking at an Outrage V20 in the Chesapeake Bay area with a newer (mid to late 90's?) Yamaha and newer aluminum trailer in good condition. I am still waiting on the details from the seller; however, the gell coat seems in great shape for the age and the motor is very clean. There is some cracking in the sole corners near the bow that look more like scales than spider cracks, some of the locker lids are delaminating near the edges and there are a few chunks missing from the edges at the transom but much less than other boats I've seen of this age. All the wood needs to be refinished and the original RPS has been replaced a full fiberglass one. Also, an electronics box was built on top of the console and the windshield removed. I've been looking at Montauks but this one looks a lot cleaner than most Montauks I've seem and I think I can get it at a better price.

My main concern are square outlines visible on the interior sides near the bow. They don't look like surface patches as there is no difference in color, shine or texture between these areas and the sorrunding gell coat; however, you can make out the shape outlines and the area inside the square seems slightly wavy/bumpy. (I wish I would have taken pictures!) The only thing I can think of is that the foam core was cut out and replaced with something else that reacted different when it was bonded. Can anyone suggest other possibilities? I do plan to have the boat surveyed if I decide to go for it but would rather save my money if this issue is something likely to cause me to walk away.

Regarding the survey, will most certified marine surveyors evaluate classic Boston Whalers properly? Can anybody recommend a particularly good "Whaler-specialist" surveryor in the Mid-Atlantic/Chessapeake Bay region?

Finally, I know it is hard to put a price on the package without even knowing the year of boat and motor but could anyone suggest a reasonable price range for the boat as described? Any information will be greatly appreciated.

posted 10-11-2011 12:09 PM ET (US)            

Personally I would stay away from the V20 for two reasons:

1) Low center console steering/throttle height - difficult to stand

2) The boat handles the chop poorly. Lots of pounding. Minimal dead rise as the bottom is very flat.

posted 10-11-2011 02:41 PM ET (US)            

I have not yet gotten all the details from the seller yet but I have been able to establish that this is a V-22 and NOT the V-20 as I initially thought. Sorry for the confusion. When I saw the boat I did not pay atention to the number after the V thinking that all the V-2X hulls were basically the same but, after reading of the ride issue with the V-20, I had someone check the length.

Now that I know it is the hull with the deeper V, this boat is looking even better but I am still concerned about the mystery shapes in the interior sides. Any information on what they could indicate or how I can check that it is not a serious issue will be greatly appreciated.