Starweld Victory 20 Review

Talk about a victory for boaters!

Over the last few years there’s been a steady trend toward adding family features to serious fishing boats. The reality is that few of us can afford to own multiple boats, so having one that can do multiple jobs becomes essential. One of the most interesting boats in this category is the Starweld Victory 20 – a big, no-nonsense offshore fishing rig that has been given a makeover to make it much more family friendly, yet without coughing up any of its serious fishing credentials.

Just look at the hull depth on the Victory 20, which ensures a safe, dry ride in even choppy conditions.

That the Starweld Victory 20 was built for the offshore is obvious as soon as you walk up to it. It’s a big, tall boat with plenty of freeboard to eat up choppy waves. Being made from all-welded aluminum, it’s also tough, durable, and almost completely maintenance-free. So far, so good, because we’d all like to spend our spare time enjoying the boat rather than cleaning it.

But there’s a scale here that means a lot to families looking for a versatile everyday boat. The Victory’s high freeboard means it’s nice and deep inside, which assures dry occupants when the waves come up, and it provides a measure of assurance for those who may be less comfortable far from shore.

The large bow casting deck provides space to mount a foot-controlled electric trolling motor, plus the electrical connection and space to stow the foot pedal. Note the wrap-around upholstered coaming, and the socket to mount a removable pedestal seat.

Stretching just under 20 feet in length, the Starweld Victory 20 has a large, raised casting deck in the bow, with in-deck storage, a 15-gallon aerated live well, space to mount a foot-controlled electric trolling motor, and an electrical connection to power it. But it also comes with a set of removable cushions that transform the space into a huge and inviting sun pad.

A small storage space for fishing essentials like pliers and a knife is conveniently positioned right at the end of the bow.

Moreover, Starweld thoughtfully upholstered the bow coaming for added comfort when you’re lounging away in the sun.

A tall walk-through windshield provides outstanding wind and spray protection when underway, and that’s an important – and sometimes overlooked – consideration when head out with the kids. The elegantly arced windshield also lets families greatly extend their boating season earlier and later in the year by keeping cool morning air at bay when running from spot to spot.

That tall windshield doesn’t just look great, it provides significant protection from the cool morning breeze.

The driver and co-pilot enjoy the comfort of beautifully upholstered, high-back Captain’s chairs, each with fold-down arm rests and a swiveling base. Starweld further offers a sliding seat base for the helm seat, and this is a worthwhile upgrade that allows drivers to easily adjust the seat as they would the seat in their car for their own personal comfort.

The passenger console of the Starweld Victory 20 is stylish and functional, with a perfectly placed grab bar, a deep drink holder, and a large locking glove box to keep valuables secured.

The stylish passenger console has a non-glare surface on the glove box door so it’s easier on the eyes.

On the driver’s side, the dash is equally stylish with three oversized gauges – a speedometer, tach and combination volt and fuel gauge – set high on the console where they’re most easily monitored. Each comes with an individual sun shroud, and a nice chrome bezel for a classy touch.

Illuminated rocker switches for electrical accessories like the live wells, running lights and such sit to the left of the tasteful chrome-on-black padded sport steering wheel. To the right, the Starweld Victory 20 provides a big drink holder, and space to mount a fish finder or GPS-sonar combo on an adjustable, articulated mount.

The beefy sport steering wheel sits ahead of three oversized dash gauges and rocker switches that control electrical accessories.

The main cockpit has space to install two more pedestal-mount seats, plus a huge in-floor fishing rod locker which, appropriately enough, locks to protect expensive gear. There’s further locking rod storage in each of the gunnels, allowing the Victory 20 to carry a tournament load of tackle with ease.

Gunnel compartments provide an enormous amount to room to safely stow pricey fishing rods.

Starweld has a few other surprises waiting in the Victory 20, and the biggest runs right across the aft end of the cockpit. That full-width, luxuriously upholstered, forward-facing seat neatly transforms into a second raised casting deck. The seat back folds forward to lay on the seat cushion, then the whole seat rotates on a floor-mounted hinge to reveal a spacious, carpeted aft casting deck. It’s a slick arrangement and easy to change as desired.

On its carpeted surface, the aft casting deck has two floor receptacles to accommodate a pair of pedestal-mounted fishing seats, or a ski tow pylon if you want to pull the kids on a tube or kneeboard. The rear deck also hides a second 15-gallon aerated live well, as well as dry storage for the batteries. A couple of built-in drink holders is a thoughtful touch.

The Victory 20’s big stern seat quickly folds forward to reveal a spacious stern casting deck.

While the flooring on the casting decks is a non-slip marine carpet, the main cockpit uses a hard-wearing vinyl since that space will see a lot more foot traffic. Buyers can order an optional snap-in carpet for the main cockpit if desired, to give the Starweld Victory 20 a fully carpeted interior.

Ta-da! There’s a second 150-gallon aerated live well, sockets for pedestal seats and a receptacle for a ski pylon waiting on the Victroy 20’s elevated stern deck.

Another option worth considering is an overhead Bimini top for mid-day sun protection, which mounts to the Victory 20’s wide gunnel tops. Starweld offers other upgrades for this boat, including a retractable three-step stainless steel boarding ladder.

Thoughtful amenities like these mesh gear pockets give the Victory 20 tremendous versatility.

Every Starweld model rides on a high quality, fully welded deep-V hull that’s built with heavy-duty, internal torsion beam construction for unmatched strength and durability. In the case of the Victory 20, that’s hefty .100-gauge aluminum for maximum durability.

Rated to handle outboards of up to 175 horsepower, the Starweld Victory 20 has such an efficient hull form that it runs well with a 150 – or even a 115. The difference in top speed with each step is only about 3 to 5 mph, so unless you’re always feeling the need for speed, save a few dollars and enjoy better fuel economy with a smaller engine.

Although rated for outboards of up to 175 horsepower, the efficiency of Starweld’s heavy duty hull design let’s the Victory 20 run really well with less than maximum power.

Regardless of how it’s powered, the Starweld Victory 20 is a versatile family runabout that can still hold its own at the weekend tournament. Those looking or a versatile boat that can handle big water will like it a lot.