1999 518 vx 200 Merc EFI

[Crankin]

I just found a really well maintained Ranger 518 vx with a merc 200 EFI on a single axel trailer.

Very basic electronics and trolling motor. The owner could not give me the hours and does not have a compression report but is willing to have it checked out.

Is this the same hull as the 2003? and the 2004-2007 519vx?

Priced at $13,000

Upgrade Electronics with 2 used 9" GPS units ($1500)
Upgrade Trolling motor with used Ultrex or XI5 (1000)
New Batteries ($500)
Two new tires (200)

All in with what I want on the boat $16200 . Do you guys think that’s a pretty good deal or keep looking

[CigarBasser]

It has been a great fishing platform for me. I believe our hull became the 519 Hull in 2003..

[blkfalc4]

All in with what I want on the boat $16200 . Do you guys think that’s a pretty good deal or keep looking

Only you can answer that question

I think it's ok, but believe you could do better. I got an 05' 519VX in 15' for $16,500 with 180hrs on the motor.

[buster502]

i dont think they can pull the hours on a 1999 200efi engine,something about the computer on them unless he has a hour meter on it,i still think sometimes a efi might be a better engine than a optimax with all the compressor issues,and i might be all wrong about it lol

[Whiteboat]

It is the same hull and layout as the 519vx. Only difference is the seats and consol. Its a fun boat to fish out of with a great lay out. However, rough water ride is very average for a 19' boat. I ran a 519vx for eight years and it was my favorite Ranger out of the seven that I have owned.

If the motor checks out, I would buy it

[Crankin]

Only you can answer that question

I think it's ok, but believe you could do better. I got an 05' 519VX in 15' for $16,500 with 180hrs on the motor.

This is good feedback. I have 4 1/2 months to find arig. This one just looks pretty good.

[M1RT]

Great fishing platform that handles extremely well. As others have said, it's an average rough water boat.

Look at the edges/curves near step up cooler and on the top cap at the gas fills. Both spots were notorious for cracking.

[jc2bg]

Just food for thought: The 200 EFI is a workhorse motor with a reputation for being bulletproof, as in not considered a strong risk for catastrophic failures. My buddy just traded in a 225 EFI of the same year [1999]. I was in that boat, with that motor, at least 100 times, and the only time it let us down on the water was when a fuel pump diaphragm sprung a leak. However, the downside of any 20-year-old outboard is inevitable wearing out of those “small” items that still cost $200 or so to get repaired/replaced. And that EFI loves gas. Our running joke was that my buddy’s 225 got the same mileage running 60 mph or idling. As always, upsides [durable] and downsides.

[Crankin]

Just food for thought: The 200 EFI is a workhorse motor with a reputation for being bulletproof, as in not considered a strong risk for catastrophic failures. My buddy just traded in a 225 EFI of the same year [1999]. I was in that boat, with that motor, at least 100 times, and the only time it let us down on the water was when a fuel pump diaphragm sprung a leak. However, the downside of any 20-year-old outboard is inevitable wearing out of those “small” items that still cost $200 or so to get repaired/replaced. And that EFI loves gas. Our running joke was that my buddy’s 225 got the same mileage running 60 mph or idling. As always, upsides [durable] and downsides.

I am concerned a bit about the gas mileage but I am no longer a long run guy so I don't think that will hit the pocket book too bad . I care more about it being a turn the key engine.

[jc2bg]

Another buddy with a 200 EFI of the same year [I had forgotten about his story] ran it since it was new, but in the past few years seemed to replace a coil almost every year. Then last year, the cold start mechanism started giving him fits. Even after replacing it, for some reason it never wanted to start if it was below 40 degrees air temp. More than once he fished around the ramp on the trolling motor for hours before the engine finally started. But as you know, such deals are thankfully rare, so rare in fact that he never did find out what the problem was. Traded it in this year and got an engine that treats him better.... Average fuel mileage on my buddy’s 225 EFI was about 2 mpg, and he seldom ever went above 50 mph. Absolutely horrible fuel “economy,” but always started, and killed every mosquito within 500 yards to boot!

[Casslaw]

If that engine is still running strong, it probably will forever with good maintenance. That’s an awesome platform and a bulletproof engine. As for the price? That is wholly dependent on condition to me. I’d take a well maintained “older” boat (especially a 99 Ranger!) than a slightly used boat that someone has trashed.

[Crankin]

There are plenty of boats out there with Opti's on them but I've come to understand those engines had some bad years .

[Rip Bass]

That 1999 vx 518 is not the same hull as a 2000 or later 518 vx hull. The hull changed in the 2000 year model. The later hulls ride just average at best but the 1999 and prior ride worse. The 2000 model vx 518 were the same hull as vx 519 and vx 198,only the interior lay out was changed. FWIW, I’ve had two vx520 and a z520, the 2000 model vx518 that I have now fishes better than the others.

[teambranham]

I think it started in 1999 for the 518vx. My buddy still has his. Prior to that it was the VS which is a total different hull, even the stripes were different on the VS hull.

[teambranham]

My 2002 518vx looked identical to my buddy's 1999 518vx. Other than color.

[Crankin]

That 1999 vx 518 is not the same hull as a 2000 or later 518 vx hull. The hull changed in the 2000 year model. The later hulls ride just average at best but the 1999 and prior ride worse. The 2000 model vx 518 were the same hull as vx 519 and vx 198,only the interior lay out was changed. FWIW, I’ve had two vx520 and a z520, the 2000 model vx518 that I have now fishes better than the others.

I was told the body style of the 1999 - 2003 518 vx is the same

[Crankin]

Shoot my seller just pulled it out from under me and said he is selling it to a friend. UGHHHH !!

[larryhyco]

It won’t meant to be. So don’t worry about it there will be others

[M1RT]

In 1999 there were two 518's. The VS and VX. The VX version continued being built for several years under the name of 519VX and 198VX. The 1999 VX hull was used for over a decade, with some (minor tweaks to cooler, rear splashwell).

I took a few pictures of the 1999 catalog showing both the VX and VS. Having had both boats, I have very complimentary things to say about each of them.

The quickest way to differentiate the two is by looking at the Comanche stripes. The VS looks almost like a hump, while on thaw VX the stripe continues forward throughout the length of the top cap.

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[Crankin]

It won’t meant to be. So don’t worry about it there will be others

Thx brother