'99 Ranger 518 DVX?!?

[mofireman]

Hi all,

Looking really hard at this model used boat. It comes with a '99 200 HP Evinrude, Lowrance HDS 8, Lowrance 332, MinnKota Maxxum Pro 80# with lift assist?!?! He says he had to put a new powerhead on it two years ago after getting stuck in some mud, and it's now got 200 hours on it. Also says the motor has 510 total hours because "I start my boat and let it idle 15-20 minutes before I take off in colder water." I also fish a lot of rivers, so I have to idle a lot of creeks." Here are some stats on the motor. Maybe you can help me diagnose any perceived issues...

RPM RUN TIME % IN BAND
0-500 1 HOUR .2%
500-1000 228 HOURS 46.1%
1000-1500 65 HOURS 13.1%
1500-2000 9 HOURS 1.8%
2000-2500 8 1/2 HOURS 1.7%
2500-3000 21 3/4HOURS 4.4%
3000-3500 27 1/2 HOURS 5.6%
3500-4000 33 1/2 HOURS 6.8%
4000-4500 28 HOURS 5.6%
4500-5000 24 HOURS 4.8%
5000-5500 29 HOURS 5.9%
5500-6000 20 HOURS 4%
6000-6500 25 SECONDS


Just looking for anything further you can contribute on the boat itself or on the outboard. Should I be concerned about the motor based on the printout that he's provided? Should I run from this deal based on 510 hours on the motor? I am really trying to finalize the boat shopping process and narrow my search down!! I'll also let you guys give me an educated guess on what this rig might be worth. After a few responses, I will provide the current asking price.

Thanks for any assistance. MoFire

[mofireman]

I realize that my post count isn't that high, but nobody can assist the new guy? Surely all of this isn't foreign to some of you veteran Ranger owners. I'll consider adding you to my will for a friendly response.....LOL!! And I'm wealthy too.....

[Pro's Choice Pete]

I would strongly advise taking it to a reputable marine service center in your area and have them do a thorough inspection of the motor if it is the boat that you think you want to buy. It will be money well spent!

1999 Evinrude...is it a FICHT?

The 518 hull is a great one and one of my favorites. I am sure you will like fishing out of it.

[Pole Bender]

I do not think I would let 510 hours scare me as long as everything checks out. How the motor was treated and maintained is more important. Look the boat over really well and you will be able to tell how it was treated. I think with todays electonics you are going to see more and more motors with the majority of hours in the 500-1000, I also always let my motor warm up to 120 degrees before taking off and I also let it idle after a run to cool off and stabilize the temperature before shutting it off. I haven't shopped boats in a while and really can not guess at the price so I will let someone with that knowledge give a price. If it is the boat you want take it to a shop and have everything checked out. This is the best money you will ever spend on a used boat purchase.

[JoeTPR]

I have that exact boat except mine has a 200 opti. So for the motor I cannot comment much since ours are different. But the 518 hull is great. I've been on KY lake many times with 3-4 foot rollers and was not scared at all in that boat. Mine runs about 68mph average without a plate. But from what I hear its a 70mph + capable boat with a jackplate. I bought mine over a year ago for $11,800. So if yours is somewhere around there, I'd say its good to go if the motor checks out.

[mofireman]

Thanks for the replies guys! It's really appreciated. The seller emailed me today and said that he is fishing a tourney on Kentucky Lake next weekend actually, and will be using this boat. As provided above in my initial post, he just had a diagnostic, leakdown, and the hours checked, and he says he has had the boat out "several times this year, and it's running great!!" I assume that I should still ask that I take it to a reputable service center myself, just to verify everything that he describes?

It is currently priced at $11,000, down from $12,000 when he first posted on 3/15/12.....Says he is selling cause he has a baby that is fixing to start daycare. Wonder if I could talk him down a little more given the need to sell the boat?!?

Thanks again!

[JoeTPR]

I doubt your really get him to come down much more. But its definatley worth a try. Hold 10K in cash in front of him and see what he says. Have the extra 1000 just in case. IMO, I bet he is just selling to get a down payment on a new boat. How does he have the money to still fish tournaments if thats the true reason to sell? But anyway that seems like a good price. I would take to the boat to Jet-A-Marina to get checked out if you can take it to Calvert City, KY. They are the absolute best. Period!