Need Help Please Buying a 20' Skippy. What to look for

Trayscool · Nov-03-2009, 03:42 PM

cool man. i thought i was doing good on my old boat with 2mpg so 3 is good news. i never get sick of looking at your ride! have any pics of the cuddy? im sure that is going to make my g/f mad

skipopotamous · Nov-03-2009, 07:31 PM

if you can swing it, go with the 24 Travis and noting earlier than 81. On the 20 there are two different hull styles too. Go with the 18 degree V not the spoon bottom as i call it.
the wiring should be fine you have to redo most of the connection. On the 20 you wont be able to check the stringers unless you cut out the forward box like i did. Adds a lot of extra room it does. I moved my batteries up there. Hopefully your windshield is in good shape.

skipopotamous · Nov-03-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trayscool

have any pics of the cuddy? im sure that is going to make my g/f mad

I hope you and your GF are both shorter than 5'7 or your not going to fit.

Trayscool · Nov-03-2009, 11:11 PM

..

Trayscool · Nov-03-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trayscool

yea the cuddy isnt going to work. hope the g/f like sleeping in a coffin

ok guys i got the boat

340 orig hours
mint condition
completely stock , no anything extra installed
pics to follow...i just hit the lotto

skipopotamous · Nov-03-2009, 11:49 PM

WELCOME ABOARD FELLOW SKIPPY OWNER

Crash · Nov-04-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skipopotamous

if you can swing it, go with the 24 Travis and noting earlier than 81. On the 20 there are two different hull styles too. Go with the 18 degree V not the spoon bottom as i call it.
the wiring should be fine you have to redo most of the connection. On the 20 you wont be able to check the stringers unless you cut out the forward box like i did. Adds a lot of extra room it does. I moved my batteries up there. Hopefully your windshield is in good shape.

IMO - no dis skippo

if there are issues with stringers it will be where they are bonded to the transom and maybe 24" forward of that point and yes you will have to cut some glass to expose them, my 20 has a fiberglass pan -kinda hard to explain, will post a pic. Don't cut out the fish hold up front, the batteries are fine in the transom, if you fish tuna and do not want coolers all over the deck you will be happy the have the box. I think it was 76 and earlier that had the different style bottom - I may very well be wrong on that one.

I had a 24' open with a Volvo ad41 diesel, duoprop OD, loved the boat, wish I still had it but love the fact I can easily store and tow the 20 with my Yukon. a lot to be said for that

Trayscool · Nov-04-2009, 02:24 PM

thanks guys. yea im stoked since it will fit in the driveway. going to pick up here any minute and will get some pics. this thing is cherry!

Crash · Nov-04-2009, 02:29 PM

post up the pics brutha..... once you go skippy you never look back....

skipjack-20 · Nov-04-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

post up the pics brutha..... once you go skippy you never look back....

WORD

I didn't know chit about skippys when I got mine, she has taken me almost 80 miles offshore and killed countless pelagics and bottom critters.

I've taken rides in boats much newer,longer and more expensive than mine, and there not that much better.

stringers MUST be good.

I use a sponge after every trip in the engine comp. to soak up the left over water.

Mine is happiest at 18-21 knts.

eisenglass is a must.

Trayscool · Nov-04-2009, 03:13 PM

dude you can eat off the bilge in this thing. you guys are gonna shit when i post pics, im super stoked!

its gonna be a while before i can get any kind of eisenglass going. I need to get a tower made first, my pops has a fab guy who ows him some cash so maybe we can work out a deal. Im not looking forward to rides back from cat getting soaked

marcus what kind of motor combo you running? whats your speed and mpg? I see that you went down to the 1010 so you must have range like a mofo!

also can you guys post some pics of your bait setup? looking for ideas but most likely going with a bait bag until I can afford a real setup before next summer. Thanks!

Lou W · Nov-04-2009, 03:19 PM

I have 1 season on my 20' skippy so others have tons more experience than me but.......
Mine likes 18-22 knots also, 2800-3 grand rpm. Gas consumption seems to average out to 2 gph. Thats running out 20-40 miles, paddy hopping, trolling etc. I am moving the batteries up though, under the seat area where the pedestals sit on built in boxes used for storage. The less weight in the back makes getting up on a plane quicker and its less likely to fall off plane If you are running right on the edge. I don't use the fish hold, except to hold pfd's, so in the future thats coming out and I'll probably put a 28-30 aux gas tank in that area. The jury, for me, is out on the OMC Cobra out drive. It did well this season but began getting a bit of water in the oil late in the season. Still need to remove, pressure test, and see what is causing the leak. Impeller is stupid easy to change. Ideally a Volvo o/d would be nice but.....thats a bunch of bucks for the drive and conversion plate so I think I'll nurse it along till its time to drop an engine in and then decide on a drive. Or when it decides to take a shit on me. Whichever come 1st.
Putting a pilot house on ,or strata/isinglass makes a big difference. Was always comfortable early in the year. I can remove the back wall of my house and it stays comfortable in the summer. Its like a terrarium in the summer with the wall up though.