+Alex N We have had this boat for years. I am just at the point now trying to decide whether or not to get the upholstery redone of finally upgrade to a newer boat. This has been an awesome size: small enough to trailer, waterski, kneeboard and tube with but big enough to overnight with in the ocean. Gives you confidence in rough seas but still nimble and sporty at the dock.
My boat is absolutely identical to this one. Other than brother removed all exterior stripes etc. Simply a white boat now. But has the big block with 600 hours. My brother passed away last year so I bought it as-is from my nephews, it had been stored under a tarp for 3 years with 50 gallons of gas in it and evidently my brother had nailed an object or even the cement driving it up on trailer his last time out. He would always make excuses as to why he wasn’t using it anymore. Long story about him and his demise. But, lower unit rebuild, starter, batteries, alternator, new carburetor, new silent choice actuators was stuck closed both sides and now Fuel pump & water impeller system. Weird design for only 2 years I’m told where impeller powers the mechanical fuel pump as basically one sealed system with its own oil reservoir where oil should be changed about as often as engine oil. Put about $1600 into trailer in new tires, hub bearings, brakes, rebuilt the wooden trailer bunks and wrapped in marine carpet myself. Had to pay $680 to have 50 gallons of gas pumped out with disposable fee. Any-who. I’d never had gone through all this over the last year but it means something to me as my big brother’s boat that he loved. Took very good care of it (other than sundeck engine cover I’m rebuilding next and have it upholstered) I definitely have more into it now than it’s value. I believe over 18k now BUT, I know what I have now. I’ll keep it forever so hard to measure the value unless sold at a big loss. We happen to live right on a navigable river in N. IL so a boat is a must. It’s got really good bones and now mechanically rehabbed. I must say I hate the teal colored carpet, Trailer, and teal accents on seats. Same cuddy fabric as the boat in this video screams 1995! Thinking of having a family member that sews make me zippered slip coverers for all of the cushions up front. Ironically my first boat was a brand new Celebrity 186 Firestar, 1996. I got 18 years out of it. Kids grew up on it.
Rob, I have an identical boat, and I am installing trim tabs. I noticed that your trim tab actuators are not attached to the transom but they are installed on the underside of the "swim platform". Did you install them this way or are they factory? Have you had any issues with them mounted this way? Thanks, Jason
+Jason Negrey I bought the boat used with the tabs on it. I use them all the time and they work great with no issues over the many years I have had this boat. I can tab down to get a nice slow speed that makes a great wake for knee boarding & wake boarding. Trying to kneeboard without the tabs points the nose high in the sky. I also use them to level the boat when I have a bunch of people on one side. These tabs have a lot of force. I wish I had the big block in this but I usually get 42mph from it with the Merc 5.7 - had it to 46 once. Had it for years but I am starting to get that two foot craving: I'm looking at 26' & 28' boats right now. Cheers
+Rob Poole I have the big block in mine and it does 55 with the prop that the original owner put on it. I am in the process of restoring the floor and stringers, mine rotted out.
Could 2 people actually sleep in this boat? There are 2 for sale for 8k US and both are in decent shape. No one I know has a cuddy or likes the. But it's just me and my wife anyway
beautiful boat, amazing condition for being almost 20 years old
+Alex N We have had this boat for years. I am just at the point now trying to decide whether or not to get the upholstery redone of finally upgrade to a newer boat. This has been an awesome size: small enough to trailer, waterski, kneeboard and tube with but big enough to overnight with in the ocean. Gives you confidence in rough seas but still nimble and sporty at the dock.
My boat is absolutely identical to this one. Other than brother removed all exterior stripes etc. Simply a white boat now. But has the big block with 600 hours. My brother passed away last year so I bought it as-is from my nephews, it had been stored under a tarp for 3 years with 50 gallons of gas in it and evidently my brother had nailed an object or even the cement driving it up on trailer his last time out. He would always make excuses as to why he wasn’t using it anymore. Long story about him and his demise. But, lower unit rebuild, starter, batteries, alternator, new carburetor, new silent choice actuators was stuck closed both sides and now Fuel pump & water impeller system. Weird design for only 2 years I’m told where impeller powers the mechanical fuel pump as basically one sealed system with its own oil reservoir where oil should be changed about as often as engine oil. Put about $1600 into trailer in new tires, hub bearings, brakes, rebuilt the wooden trailer bunks and wrapped in marine carpet myself. Had to pay $680 to have 50 gallons of gas pumped out with disposable fee. Any-who. I’d never had gone through all this over the last year but it means something to me as my big brother’s boat that he loved. Took very good care of it (other than sundeck engine cover I’m rebuilding next and have it upholstered) I definitely have more into it now than it’s value. I believe over 18k now BUT, I know what I have now. I’ll keep it forever so hard to measure the value unless sold at a big loss. We happen to live right on a navigable river in N. IL so a boat is a must. It’s got really good bones and now mechanically rehabbed. I must say I hate the teal colored carpet, Trailer, and teal accents on seats. Same cuddy fabric as the boat in this video screams 1995! Thinking of having a family member that sews make me zippered slip coverers for all of the cushions up front. Ironically my first boat was a brand new Celebrity 186 Firestar, 1996. I got 18 years out of it. Kids grew up on it.
Rob, I have an identical boat, and I am installing trim tabs. I noticed that your trim tab actuators are not attached to the transom but they are installed on the underside of the "swim platform". Did you install them this way or are they factory? Have you had any issues with them mounted this way? Thanks, Jason
+Jason Negrey I bought the boat used with the tabs on it. I use them all the time and they work great with no issues over the many years I have had this boat. I can tab down to get a nice slow speed that makes a great wake for knee boarding & wake boarding. Trying to kneeboard without the tabs points the nose high in the sky. I also use them to level the boat when I have a bunch of people on one side. These tabs have a lot of force. I wish I had the big block in this but I usually get 42mph from it with the Merc 5.7 - had it to 46 once. Had it for years but I am starting to get that two foot craving: I'm looking at 26' & 28' boats right now. Cheers
+Rob Poole I have the big block in mine and it does 55 with the prop that the original owner put on it. I am in the process of restoring the floor and stringers, mine rotted out.
What’s it worth? Looking at the identical boat that needs work
Just sold it last summer for $14k Canadian. I put a new interior in it since this video was done. It's 2 foot itus… bought a bigger boat :)
Could 2 people actually sleep in this boat? There are 2 for sale for 8k US and both are in decent shape.
No one I know has a cuddy or likes the. But it's just me and my wife anyway