Re: possible purchase - 1989 18' Few questions.
 

Yea, this site is a great way to learn what a boat's real value is.....
Depending on whether its a total restore, turn key or in between you can break it down like Dixon said. One thing I have noticed, the higher priced boats many times actually can be the better deal when you factor in the cost of a cheaper boat that needs replacement power, new transom, T-Top, ect.. Oh, and I almost forgot, the biggest mistake I see on here is when a guy decides to put too much weight on the back of a SC with a heavy new motor after spending major money on a restore.

Re: possible purchase - 1989 18' Few questions.
 

Greno, i had an 05 20 with a 200 hpdi and never had water, my bilge discharged up by the rubrail though im not sure what difference that would make..i would even wash it down in the water and it drained,but im like a buck-eighty so maybe that had something to do with it..now have an 85 being rebuilt and has yet to splash,kinda hoping waters not too much of an issue

Re: possible purchase - 1989 18' Few questions.
 

Just picked up the boat this afternoon. Ideally, I would like to find a lower unit for the 150 that's on there now and run it for the summer, and come winter time, replace the deck. Needs tilt/trim rebuild which I am not looking forward to - probably took 8 hours to remove the tilt pins on a 40hp I recently did. Ended up coming with cushions for the console and raised deck area, along with a new head unit and speakers. Used bimini looks good also (besides the plastic mount I already broke) Ill post some photos later. Appreciate the advice so far. Plenty more questions to come.

Re: possible purchase - 1989 18' Few questions.
 

alexh
where are you located? I have a 25" left hand 1990 Johnson 150 that might work for parts.

Re: possible purchase - 1989 18' Few questions.
 

Im in Va. I've been keeping an eye out on CL. Something should come up relatively quickly.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=359907

The link above claims that any 1979-1991 lower unit will work, but there are changes in gear ratios with 150hp vs 200hp motors.

Re: possible purchase - 1989 18' Few questions.
 

Here are some photos of the boat
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...6/ae9074c2.jpg
I removed the Tracker SEACRAFT logo from both sides, and I plan on removing the lower boot stripe as well.
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...6/f5a35f38.jpg
Hit one side with 3m buffing compound and it came out pretty good. The lettering where the company name is raised. I will probably wetsand it to try to get rid of it.
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...6/783f0cc9.jpg
Transom is solid, all holes have been patched appropriately so thats nice to see.
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...6/758c5f17.jpg
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...6/a3353cd1.jpg

Hatch has been added by a previous owner. There's some shoddy glass-work underneath - not sure what they were trying to repair. Can anyone tell me the distance from the front of the console to the step up? I have a feeling the console has been moved forward but I am not positive.

The last two photos show some damage that will be addressed in the winter when the boat is torn down.
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...6/1d73bb6f.jpg
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...6/e2ce380e.jpg

Currently I am trying to find a local shop to redo the rear seals on the lower unit. I plan on putting in a new bilge pump and a handheld VHF so I can hit the water for the rest of the summer.

Re: possible purchase - 1989 18' Few questions.
 

Alex-
Nice looking 89. Good luck getting her going for the rest of the Summer. When you get her in the water, please take pictures of the water line toward the stern. That 150 will push the boat well.

Re: possible purchase - 1989 18' Few questions.
 

Snookerd-
Will definitely get more pictures this weekend when its in the water. The tank is full so I am also interested in seeing how she sits in the water. Apparently the lower unit has some real seal issues, but last night I changed the lower unit oil thinking it was going to be milky, and it came out just as clean as it went in. That still not to say that water is/isn't leaking in. I haven't submerged the lower unit yet, but I do know no oil is leaking out.

Re: possible purchase - 1989 18' Few questions.
 

Very nice!!!! Noticed the engine controls are backwards, interesting, normally the hanle is on the inside with the trim/tilt button worked by the thumb. Good luck!!

Re: possible purchase - 1989 18' Few questions.
 

The binnacle is aftermarket. There are trim controls on both sides of the top handle. The only issue is there is no thottle advance - no lever or button to depress to throttle up. I haven't figured out how to cold start it yet without taking the engine cover off and slightly opening the throttle. Once its warmed up its fine.