Southwind 20... what are these like?

In my quest to look at every intersting Correct Craft for sale in a 20 mile radius, I stumbled on a Southwind 20 (forget which year, does it matter?). Owner claims to have redone the stringers and floor, 351 is running well, etc. Pictures look clean, new cover, and so on. Closed bow (sadly).

Asking price is $7k.

I'm going to see it this weekend, just want to know what these things are like. I'm in the market for a family cruiser type boat, something that won't be a pain in the ass to maintain, will handle light to moderate chop with ease, and pull a wakeboarder here and there (it doesn't need to have a high performing wake, just be able to pull up a wakeboarder and not sound like the world is ending).

This looks interesting in that regard. Anything notoriously terrible about these boats?

davidg wrote: I have had two Southwinds. One was an '83 Open Bow, and the other a '76 18" Closed bow. They are very cool, classic cruisers. Not real nimble, or good skiing boats, but, if you are looking for a classic cruiser that handles chop well, and has some room in it, look no further. The SW is your boat. I think the SW closed bow is a nicer looking boat than the Open Bow, But, open bows are nice, and that is all people seem to want these days. Think about the resale from that perspective too. If/when you ever go to sell it, get ready to hear..."Is it an open bow? No! Okay, thanks. The wife really wants an open bow". But, if that is not a game breaker for you, go for it. As mentioned, really cool old boats.

Thanks! Yeah I would also like an open bow, but that's not a deal breaker. And yeah you're basically describing my needs - except again, I would like to be able to pull a wakeboard / wakeskate here and there, and do it with some confidence. If it's such a bear of a boat that if can't do that, I might keep looking. What are you thoughts on that?

Tempting to try and get this at a slightly lower price, put on a simple tower with bimini and use it as a weekend warrior / cruiser.

I would take closed bow over open any day. I had a 20' open and now just an 18' closed.

20' open would be best IMO. Moving the helm back to make more space up front just cramps the main cockpit.

It will be plenty powerful for wakeboarding. For basic wakeskating a smaller craft is best (lots of falls, one that turns around quicker).

For your needs really any SW will work.

Have 2 Southwinds in the family, a 72 SW20 and a 74 SW18. Great boats and would heartily recommend. Of course not a Nautique ski wake, but plenty of fun for the average "not-picky"skier and rides like a dream in all conditions......as rough as you can get.

With all due respect to DavidG, (how bout a shout-out for a SW guy!), totally disagree on the bowrider thing. The Southwind Bowrider fell out of the Ugly Tree and hit every branch on the way down....Windshield set too far back, looks waaay goofy...and who over the age of 10 would ever want to sit up there anyway? Closed Bow SW's have classic well'proportioned lines and far more interior space, and the teak bow walk is just great (if it's got one).

I still have my like new 1978 Southwind 18 and love it.   Was very well kept and had light use while it lived in upstate NY for it entire life before I bought it and brought it down to Atlanta. Am dropping it in the water this week for Memorial Day week-end.   Will post a pic of it beside my new GS22 ... been a Correct Craft Fan all my life.   My Dad got us started with a brand new 1975 Southwind 18 - went without for many years but then bought the 1978.   Joined the reunions here and got introduced to the 2008 Ski Nautique 206 which I have used over the past 5 years but just traded it in on a brand new 2018 GS22.   

Link is not working - am curious to see what are you are looking at!

Is it on CL in Charlotte?

DockDoc wrote: Sorry, having trouble linking it on my phone. Yes, on CL in Charlotte, and on CCFan in the for sale section on 5/1. Has a red cover.

Here's the CL ad but nothing comes up under "Southwind" in our boats for sale section.

Yea I guess the ones not ready to be planters are more money.

Hollywood wrote: Wowzers wasn't expecting that high of a price tag.

Yeah I guess that's where I get nervous. Is this a $7000 boat?

8122pbrainard wrote: DockDoc wrote: ] Not sure where you're looking, but it's the first southwind that comes up when I'm looking. Regardless, that's the boat. try this one Tyler, This is where I was looking. I just tried it again and still nothing. Where are you looking? 8122pbrainard wrote:    nothing comes up under "Southwind" in our boats for sale section. Bottom paint in SC! Better check if it's a salt water boat.

Specifically, if I click on the "For Sale" button on the top bar, and then go to page 3 (of all boats for sale), it's the first boat on the top of the page.

Yeah I asked about the bottom paint. No salt water exposure, it was painted when he bought it (in an inland area) 16+ years ago. It's still a negative for me, I don't want bottom paint ideally.

KENO wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: DockDoc wrote: Sorry, having trouble linking it on my phone. Yes, on CL in Charlotte, and on CCFan in the for sale section on 5/1. Has a red cover. Here's the CL ad but nothing comes up under "Southwind" in our boats for sale section. Pete, click the link to see what search criteria I used to find it It's there He seems to be using a phone and maybe the mobile version of the for sale stuff is set up different link

Yikes. That open bow from 2012 in CA looks CLEAN. And asking half the price of this one. That makes me nervous.

Salty wrote: I still have my like new 1978 Southwind 18 and love it.

spent some time driving this boat at a Reunion......one of my Top 10 favorite boats on the site. When Salty sez 'like new' he meant it. Beautiful.

how are the triplets? and the lovely Mrs Salty?


john