20' Sportsman. Anyone in the sandbox own one?

[SteveM]

How do they ride?
What would I expect to run into if I were to restore one?
Any idea of going prices?

I'd like to investigate getting into one of these as my next project.
Would love to hear feedback and input.

Thanks!

[Fishin Tom]

I have a Center console 20 project boat with some work completed. Deck off new stringers installed Inner liner out of boat and may or may not be used was going to be a I/O set up with a 4.3 MC setup for sale. I just don't have enough gas in the tank to take on any more projects. $6600.

In southern NJ
Tom Oakes
772.485.4595
Holtz Boatworks, NJ

[SteveM]

Tom, I'll call you later. thanks

[Tommy]

Steve, my brother has a 1969 B-20 Sportsman. I'll send you some photos and info. They mimic the ride of the 31 since they have a the same hull design & 24 degree deadrise.

Tommy

[John F.]

I have a B20 ex-moppie that I converted into a center console. The OB conversion was already done. I fish her 2 or 3 times a week in the summer here in the Chesapeake. She's the best riding 20' boat I've ever been on--way better than the small Gradys, Wellcrafts and the like, and better than the 20' Seacraft a friend had. She stacks up really well to my friend's 23 Seacraft. The B20 is just a great boat. Sportsmans are nice, but hard to find, and command a premium because they're so rare. A regular B20 hull on which to build whatever you want can be had pretty cheap. Good luck.

[SteveM]

John, that's beautiful and a great idea. I like that you can step on the bow as well, cast a net, board the boat, etc.

[John F.]

Thanks Steve. There's storage under there for an anchor, life jackets, etc., and I have it set-up so that I can store rods under there as well.





Rod storage was big for me. The rods slide into PVC tubes that run under the foredeck so that the rods are protected and can be put away easily. In calm water, it makes a nice casting platform. If you have any questions, let me know. I love my B31, and I really, really love my B20.

[Navatech]

The OB conversion was already done.

Knowing what you know now, would you do the OB conversion the same way or would you take the route of an external bracket if you were ding the same project over?!...

[John F.]

I personally don't like brackets on small inshore boats. My B20 has a big splash well with a gate, so I'm not worried about taking water over the stern--at all. I also use the boat for light tackle, and have had times where the fish worked me 360 degrees around the boat--a bracket would have gotten in the way. I also got to ride in the boat before I bought it as an OB but still set up as a Moppie, and it ran great. I don't know what a bracketed B20 runs like, and from what I've read before and what Tom posted below about his customers' experiences with bracketed B20s, I'm better off with a notched transom. So, I'd have it done the exact same way. She rides and fishes just great. I also rode in a Moppie at one of the AC rendezvous. Mack Boring had done a Yanmar repower on it. I'll take the ride and handling of my B20 over that boat any day.

[Bertramp]

I've always had an eye out for a 25 center console / outboard conversion

[CamB25]

I've always had an eye out for a 25 center console / outboard conversion

ME TOO!! HaHaHaHa!

[John F.]

Steve-

Like this?

http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/boa/5736282528.html

[SteveM]

John,
did you build the deck? That does not look like you just pulled the windshield off. Got any pics of that project?

I would prefer the I/O. Outboard boats in the Bahamas are being stolen daily. People are chaining them to the dock with huge heavy chains, putting trackers on them, etc, etc...and they still get stolen. Cables are cut, lifts are dropped and the boats are gone. Or the outboard is just stolen off the boat at the dock. It's crazy. No law enforcement and $200 fine if caught. Over 25 outboard boats stolen in my area this year already mostly Yamahas.

Therefore, a small boat with an I/O would be just fine and I would sleep at night.

[John F.]

Steve-

This'll give you an idea. Sucks about OBs getting stolen.

http://bertram31.com/newbb/viewtopic.ph ... B20#p68759