Hull differences (518)

[CigarBasser]

What are the differences in my 2001 518 Hull and the ones of today? Does my hull handle rough water better? Is it faster? Just curious how much difference they are.. Thanks

[cwalsh]

I recently sold my 1998 518DVS w/175 FICHT and now have a 2017 Z518 w/150. I do not know if my old boat was the same hull as yours or not and I don't have many hours on my new boat but here are my first impressions. My old boat was faster but most likely due to the extra 25hp, say what you want about the FICHT motors but mine would run 64 gps alone and 60-61 with a tournament load and partner with a Talon. My new boat I have seen a best 61gps going down stream on a river, I am still playing with jack plate and prop to get it to run fast with a load. The new boat is more stable as it has a wider beam, front deck space is not even comparable and although I have not had it in really big water yet from what I can tell it will not slap or ride as hard as my other boat did. The only thing I would change is I wish you could get a 175hp on the standard 518 so you wouldn't have to pay the 8k price jump to get into the "C" boat with the 200hp. I think I've seen you post your boat will run around 70ish, make no mistake about it the 150's will not but if you spend the money for the 200 I think you would run about the same as you do now with a more stable and better laid out boat. Hope this helps.

[dukhntr]

The older ones were longer...

[CigarBasser]

duk - Correct, 19' hull on mine.. and the beam is not as wide.. as a result I would think the ride would be smoother than the newer modes..

cwalsh - thanks.. mine does run in the 70's but not during these humid days of summer..

As for the hull, did the design change and if so what are the differences...

[cwalsh]

Correct that the old 518's are classified as a 19' boat but I can tell you that in my garage with the boat pushed back all the way the distance from the folded tongue to the garage door is the same or even less than what my old boat was with the tongue pulled out. My new boat "feels" bigger.

[VaZ518]

I had a 2011 Z518 and my buddy has a 2002 518. They're about the same speed, but his rides noticeably better in rough water. My boat seemed a touch wider, but his seems to have a little deeper hull that cuts the waves better.