2000 Outrage 18 Fuel Tank Replacement

[FreshmanGreen]

I may buy a 2000 Whaler Outrage 18. The hour meter indicates almost 700 hours on boat and Mercury OptiMax 135-HP engine. I haven't seen the boat in person yet because it’s a good distance from where I live. But I am having trouble finding a lot of info about this model.

I think the c.2000 OUTRAGE 18 was in production for only a few years.

My concern is about a fuel tank replacement. I read somewhere the Outrage II 19 boats made in the 1990's had a single piece deck, and replacing fuel tank required cutting straight into deck or removing the entire top deck as one piece. That sounds like a huge operation that I wouldn't want to ever mess with.

Q1: is the hull liner of a 2000 Outrage 18 a one-piece [without a removable section over the fuel tank cavity]?

Pictures I have show a couple hatches aft of the console, which I interpret as used for fuel tank connections and sender unit. Also shown is a much larger deck piece that looks screwed down.

Q2: can I assume you could remove that large section and access fuel tank if needed?

I am seeking more input about a c.2000 OUTRAGE 18 boat from people with knowledge about this model. I want to buy a good all-round family boat, in a manageable size, but something that could also go out into rougher water for fishing trips.

ASIDE: This is my first post. I am a prospective first-time Boston Whaler boat owner.

[jimh]

Read more from the archives:

2000 18' Outrage
https://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum8/HTML/001392.html

Regarding the fuel tank condition on a boat made 23-years ago, the present condition will be a result of the boat’s history of care and use.

[FreshmanGreen]

Great link, thanks Jim.

[Phil T]

This model was only produced for 1 year, 2000.

The boat with only 135-HP is underpowered based on the published hull weight of 2,500-lbs and the experience with other models. I would expect a 175-HP or 200-HP engine would be appropriate.

Fig. 1. Reproduction of catalogue page

Outrage_180.jpg (174.87 KiB) Viewed 2690 times

[jimh]

That 2000 OUTRAGE 18 is a very sturdy small boat. I would jump of the chance to own one, if the boat condition and the asking price were suitable.

[FreshmanGreen]

Thanks for the info and input. I definitely think the price is appropriate for the boat and trailer both in quite good condition. I also have to factor in a huge cost for shipping from California to Hawaii. But that is a cost I have to deal with regardless of what boat I choose. Considering there is a lack of good boats for reasonable prices here. I really think the boat is gonna check all the boxes as far as usage wants and needs, and stay in a decently small footprint overall.

I’m surprised the boat has an eight-passenger rated capacity considering it’s only 18-feet 4-inch long. That’s sweet. It will be my first Boston Whaler boat. I know they are truly loved boats for a reason, and I look forward to owing it. I have been told by multiple people: if you have a chance to own a Boston Whaler boat, they are worth every penny.

[Keitha]

I have had a 2000 OUTRAGE 18 for [several years]. In my 2000 OUTRAGE 18 the fuel tank was made of plastic; it did not need to be replaced. [More about the fuel tank appears in a separate article in REPAIRS and MODIFICATIONS.]

I am happy to talk about anything on a 200 OUTRAGE 18. I'm in Southern California and have put many miles on the hull in the Pacific Ocean--it's a great boat.

[jimh]

I may buy a 2000 Whaler Outrage 18.

Let readers know the outcome. It has been more than a month and we have no word from you regarding buying the boat. When you ask for advice, it is polite to follow up with any development that occurred as a result of the advice that was given to you by participants in the forum.

If you bought the boat, your are probably too busy having fun with it. Take a moment to let us know what occurred.