Rage 18 - Any info ?? - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  Rage 18 - Any info ??

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Rage 18 - Any info ??

Rickmid posted 03-16-2003 11:44 AM ET (US)
[I am considering the purchase of] a 1996 18-Rage with a Ford 302 engine rated at 265-HP. Comments, good or bad, will be appreciated. Most of my concern is the ability to service the jet drive system. If any one has the specifications on this model, I would gladly pay for a copy.
Thanks for your help.
Rick
jimh posted 03-16-2003 12:27 PM ET (US)
The optional V-8 engine and pump was supplied by Redline Marine.
A search on GOOGLE.COM produced many references to them in endorsements of certain fuel additive products, but no content about themselves or their own products.
DCPeters posted 03-16-2003 03:11 PM ET (US)
I purchased one of these this winter for the kids to ski/ runabout with. Haven't launched it (actually, even seen it!) yet, so can't comment on anything performance related.
The jet and engine are still available. I had similar concerns prior to my purchase. I was able to connect with both Redline and American Turbine to get service and parts info on both. Redine still makes the 302, search Redline Marine, Idaho and you'll find distributors, etc.
www.americanturbine.com for the jet
Redline Marine, Inc
1101 Main Street
Lewiston, ID 83501
I have a cc of the operators manual for the 302/351/406 that Chuck Bennet mailed to me.
I also have a wood placement diagram and spec sheet.
Let me know if you pick one of these up, and I'll fix you up with the goods.
By the way, I haven't ceased my quest for the 22Outrage WD...the Rage will be a very fun boat for watersports, and it allows me to bide my time for the right Outrage WD.
BugsyG posted 03-16-2003 08:27 PM ET (US)
We had a 14-Rage...I liked the 18-Rage. They were nice boats and had lots of power. [The Boston Whaler company] discontinued the line because no one was purchasing them. I would like to own one.
JAZZ
[This article has been edited--jimh]
scaglionel posted 03-16-2003 09:02 PM ET (US)
IBOUGHT ONE NEW AND SOLD IT 3 MONTHS LATER.IT DIDNT HANDLE WELL AND HAD A LOW TOP END SPEED FOR THE POWER. DANGEROUS IN HIGH SPEED TURNS ,AND TOOK WATER OVER THE BOW WHEN THROTTLING DOWN FAST.I HAPPEN TO HAVE OWNED OVER 20 WHALERS AND THIS ONE WAS MY ONLY DISSAPOINTMENT. I WAS ALSO PART OF THE DESIGN TEAM FOR THE 14 AND 15 RAGE WHEN THEY WERE IN THE DESIGN STAGE AND WHALER WAS OWNED BY REEBOK
DCPeters posted 03-16-2003 10:38 PM ET (US)
BugsyG, it DOES have a cleanout. The smaller ones may not have, but the brochure clearly states this does.
Rickmid, the 302 has 216 HP. I checked the brochure. The 351 had the 285 rating. This is lots of power for the 18 length. Even derating by the 30% due to inefficiency of the jet vs prop drive this is 140-190 HP on a hull not too different from the present Outrage. The downside of this power is that it's probably thirsty...but it is reliable 4 stroke power.
The 18 seems to have been a short run boat--an experiment--which disappeared after only two product years, 96-97. From what I've heard (from those that have actually had this hull) it's a fine runabout. Because of the seating and limited floorspace it does not satisfy the std Whaler customer interested in fishing etc. It had two strikes against it(at least per the traditionalist)--jet power and unique purpose.
I'd recommend trying the boat if Scag's comments raise concerns.
I don't plan to drive this boat like a personal watercraft...In my book, "high speed" turns always are dangerous.
I wonder if they trimmed the accutrack hull to track less, so that quick 180 turns were possible...I'd doubt it. So most probs probably are due to this conflict between adolescent search for thrills and a hull that wants to go forward.
Rickmid posted 03-17-2003 07:44 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the responses.
DC, my uses are very similar to yours, we have lots of kids (6) who want to ski & tube. The Rage 18 is big enough for that purpose, yet small enough to fit behind our big boat.
Scag's comments raised some safety issues. Our kids (ages 19 to 26) will push the envelope, even though they are old enough to know better. I hope some other owners respond with thier experiences on the performance and handling. Nevertheless, I will have a survey and sea trial before I cut a check.
Rick
Montauk posted 03-17-2003 08:24 PM ET (US)
Richmid,
The boat handles terrible, will use gas like a pig and have no resale value. Spend your money wisely and buy an inboard ski boat for the kids. Inboards are very safe, handle extremely well, are easier on gas and hold great resale value. Your kids will actually learn how to do something besides tube, which is very dangerous to the participants and other boaters. A jet boat will not hold wakeboard speeds worth a didly, requires massive amounts of throttle to get on plane and is not good for holding speeds for the younger skiers. A jet boat does not teach kids to drive in a responsible and safe manner. If this response sounds harsh it is because the boat should not even have the Whaler name on it and is one of the worst ideas to come out of the company. Yes, I have driven the boat when the Rep brought it to our store, They "assumed" it would get them into the ski boat market! Having a surveyor look at the boat is a waste of your money, trust what Scag and I are trying to tell you and run the other way.
Dick posted 03-17-2003 08:41 PM ET (US)
Some years ago I was a boat dealer in Anchorage. My inboard jet boat line was Duckworth, this was when Ernie Duckworth owned the company. My boat was powered by a 351 Redline engine and it was awsome. The 302 and 351 Fords have allways been a strong dependable engine.
My jet pump was a three stage Hamilton and I have never run an American Turbine but all reports that I have seen rate it very high.
I would guess that if you went to Lewiston, ID you would find as many or more American Turbine pumps running the Snake as any other brand.
You don't run the Snake with anything you can't depend on.
I think the 18 Rage with the 302 would be a great boat, but I have never run one. Would sure like to though.
Dick
Minke posted 03-17-2003 09:21 PM ET (US)
I had an 18' Rage for one season, my comments:
Never figured out how to steer the boat at no wake speeds, it was like trying to steer a snake by pushing it's tail.
Handling at speed was ok but no where near as stable as my Montauk.
The boat is LOUD! Neighbors always knew when we went out!
You can raise a prop out of harms way (most times) but I was always worrying about sucking up sand and pebbles to the ruination of a costly impeller.
Dick posted 03-17-2003 09:39 PM ET (US)
Jet boat handling is something that has to be learned. Once learned it will become natural.
Any of the quality pumps will grind up most garbage and spit it out when at speed, at idle you may plug it up. Small rocks that can go through the intake grate may ding up the impeller but a touch up with a file will usually take care of the problem.
True you do lose some performance but you can get into shalower water and there is no people eating prop out there.
Dick

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Rage 18 - Any info ??
Rickmid	posted 03-16-2003 11:44 AM ET (US) [I am considering the purchase of] a 1996 18-Rage with a Ford 302 engine rated at 265-HP. Comments, good or bad, will be appreciated. Most of my concern is the ability to service the jet drive system. If any one has the specifications on this model, I would gladly pay for a copy. Thanks for your help. Rick
jimh	posted 03-16-2003 12:27 PM ET (US) The optional V-8 engine and pump was supplied by Redline Marine. A search on GOOGLE.COM produced many references to them in endorsements of certain fuel additive products, but no content about themselves or their own products.
DCPeters	posted 03-16-2003 03:11 PM ET (US) I purchased one of these this winter for the kids to ski/ runabout with. Haven't launched it (actually, even seen it!) yet, so can't comment on anything performance related. The jet and engine are still available. I had similar concerns prior to my purchase. I was able to connect with both Redline and American Turbine to get service and parts info on both. Redine still makes the 302, search Redline Marine, Idaho and you'll find distributors, etc. www.americanturbine.com for the jet Redline Marine, Inc 1101 Main Street Lewiston, ID 83501 I have a cc of the operators manual for the 302/351/406 that Chuck Bennet mailed to me. I also have a wood placement diagram and spec sheet. Let me know if you pick one of these up, and I'll fix you up with the goods. By the way, I haven't ceased my quest for the 22Outrage WD...the Rage will be a very fun boat for watersports, and it allows me to bide my time for the right Outrage WD.
BugsyG	posted 03-16-2003 08:27 PM ET (US) We had a 14-Rage...I liked the 18-Rage. They were nice boats and had lots of power. [The Boston Whaler company] discontinued the line because no one was purchasing them. I would like to own one. JAZZ [This article has been edited--jimh]
scaglionel	posted 03-16-2003 09:02 PM ET (US) IBOUGHT ONE NEW AND SOLD IT 3 MONTHS LATER.IT DIDNT HANDLE WELL AND HAD A LOW TOP END SPEED FOR THE POWER. DANGEROUS IN HIGH SPEED TURNS ,AND TOOK WATER OVER THE BOW WHEN THROTTLING DOWN FAST.I HAPPEN TO HAVE OWNED OVER 20 WHALERS AND THIS ONE WAS MY ONLY DISSAPOINTMENT. I WAS ALSO PART OF THE DESIGN TEAM FOR THE 14 AND 15 RAGE WHEN THEY WERE IN THE DESIGN STAGE AND WHALER WAS OWNED BY REEBOK
DCPeters	posted 03-16-2003 10:38 PM ET (US) BugsyG, it DOES have a cleanout. The smaller ones may not have, but the brochure clearly states this does. Rickmid, the 302 has 216 HP. I checked the brochure. The 351 had the 285 rating. This is lots of power for the 18 length. Even derating by the 30% due to inefficiency of the jet vs prop drive this is 140-190 HP on a hull not too different from the present Outrage. The downside of this power is that it's probably thirsty...but it is reliable 4 stroke power. The 18 seems to have been a short run boat--an experiment--which disappeared after only two product years, 96-97. From what I've heard (from those that have actually had this hull) it's a fine runabout. Because of the seating and limited floorspace it does not satisfy the std Whaler customer interested in fishing etc. It had two strikes against it(at least per the traditionalist)--jet power and unique purpose. I'd recommend trying the boat if Scag's comments raise concerns. I don't plan to drive this boat like a personal watercraft...In my book, "high speed" turns always are dangerous. I wonder if they trimmed the accutrack hull to track less, so that quick 180 turns were possible...I'd doubt it. So most probs probably are due to this conflict between adolescent search for thrills and a hull that wants to go forward.
Rickmid	posted 03-17-2003 07:44 PM ET (US) Thanks for the responses. DC, my uses are very similar to yours, we have lots of kids (6) who want to ski & tube. The Rage 18 is big enough for that purpose, yet small enough to fit behind our big boat. Scag's comments raised some safety issues. Our kids (ages 19 to 26) will push the envelope, even though they are old enough to know better. I hope some other owners respond with thier experiences on the performance and handling. Nevertheless, I will have a survey and sea trial before I cut a check. Rick
Montauk	posted 03-17-2003 08:24 PM ET (US) Richmid, The boat handles terrible, will use gas like a pig and have no resale value. Spend your money wisely and buy an inboard ski boat for the kids. Inboards are very safe, handle extremely well, are easier on gas and hold great resale value. Your kids will actually learn how to do something besides tube, which is very dangerous to the participants and other boaters. A jet boat will not hold wakeboard speeds worth a didly, requires massive amounts of throttle to get on plane and is not good for holding speeds for the younger skiers. A jet boat does not teach kids to drive in a responsible and safe manner. If this response sounds harsh it is because the boat should not even have the Whaler name on it and is one of the worst ideas to come out of the company. Yes, I have driven the boat when the Rep brought it to our store, They "assumed" it would get them into the ski boat market! Having a surveyor look at the boat is a waste of your money, trust what Scag and I are trying to tell you and run the other way.
Dick	posted 03-17-2003 08:41 PM ET (US) Some years ago I was a boat dealer in Anchorage. My inboard jet boat line was Duckworth, this was when Ernie Duckworth owned the company. My boat was powered by a 351 Redline engine and it was awsome. The 302 and 351 Fords have allways been a strong dependable engine. My jet pump was a three stage Hamilton and I have never run an American Turbine but all reports that I have seen rate it very high. I would guess that if you went to Lewiston, ID you would find as many or more American Turbine pumps running the Snake as any other brand. You don't run the Snake with anything you can't depend on. I think the 18 Rage with the 302 would be a great boat, but I have never run one. Would sure like to though. Dick
Minke	posted 03-17-2003 09:21 PM ET (US) I had an 18' Rage for one season, my comments: Never figured out how to steer the boat at no wake speeds, it was like trying to steer a snake by pushing it's tail. Handling at speed was ok but no where near as stable as my Montauk. The boat is LOUD! Neighbors always knew when we went out! You can raise a prop out of harms way (most times) but I was always worrying about sucking up sand and pebbles to the ruination of a costly impeller.
Dick	posted 03-17-2003 09:39 PM ET (US) Jet boat handling is something that has to be learned. Once learned it will become natural. Any of the quality pumps will grind up most garbage and spit it out when at speed, at idle you may plug it up. Small rocks that can go through the intake grate may ding up the impeller but a touch up with a file will usually take care of the problem. True you do lose some performance but you can get into shalower water and there is no people eating prop out there. Dick