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Author Topic:   180 Ventura

KB posted 01-22-2003 11:50 AM ET (US)
(I posted this yesterday on the "Classics" page before I knew what a classic BW was -- hope I didn't offend anyone.)
I just bought a 180 Ventura and will take possession in the spring. I intend to use it for a little fishing, but mostly messing around in the Chesapeake. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who's had experience with the 180. Advice on set-up, maintenance, winter storage, performance. Thanks!
wspellenbe posted 01-22-2003 04:22 PM ET (US)
I am in the market for one. Where did you get it and how much $ did you pay? Why did you choose that model?
KB posted 01-22-2003 06:46 PM ET (US)
With the options and upgrades, $36.6 at the Baltimore boat show.
Chose this model because I'm more interested in day-trips on the Chesapeake Bay with family and friends than in fishing. If I were in more sheltered water, or would be doing a lot of trailering, I probably would have chosen the 160 Ventura.
I've been sailing on the Bay for 25 years and now I'm looking for a little more comfort and range.
In any event, I'm sure I'll be pleased with the fact that it's a Whaler.
wspellenbe posted 01-22-2003 11:12 PM ET (US)
So you got a brand new one? 2003 Model? I am looking at a 1998 with a 130 Honda for 19k
TRAFFICLAWYER posted 01-23-2003 02:33 PM ET (US)
wspellenbe
I paid about 24k in 1999 for a 1998 with a 135 opti,boat had all the options including ski/tow pole. i had it for about 1 season and due to the difficulty with the opti I elected to trade it. The Honda with a 130 would be an excellent power plant for the 18'. price sounds reasonable.
KB posted 01-23-2003 02:50 PM ET (US)
Actually, the 36.6 included 2.3 for the trailer. Hope the probs with the Opti 135 have been ironed out.
Drydock posted 01-27-2003 01:25 AM ET (US)
I have a 99 18' Ventura with the 135 Opti. Am very pleased with the hull, space and layout. Drivers seat is not height adjustable and puts my eye right at the top of the windshield. I plan to do something to improve that. Don't care for the Opti. I pamper it with good gas. New spark plugs and tune ups it starts then dies. always takes 4 or 5 attempts to get it to run. Once its warmed up it appears fine. Pretty embarrasing at the ramps though. And it seems Mercury will not admit any problems so there seems to be no recommendation to solve my problem. Just be sure and have a warrenty for the powerplant. I heard the Optis' improved in later years. We Ski and cruise. I'm not taking it anywhere where my butt depends on the Opti to get me back. I have a Honda 8 that I plan to add as a kicker.
Seems like the show special for a 2002, 135 Opti, Trailer and a "Safety Package" Ran about $39 or 40K last year in California. Paid 20K for my 1999 used in late 2001. Thought the 16 was too small for the family with teenagers moving around and a new 18 was out of my budget range. After 2 seasons I still like the boat. Oh yes the Previous owner installed Doel Fins. Said he had a slight porposing (sp) problem and it took a lot of effort to get it up on plane with skiers. It pops right up on plane with the fins and trims out pretty good. Even when pulling my walrus sized frame up on skis.
wspellenbe posted 01-27-2003 01:43 PM ET (US)
I purchased a great condition 1998 18 with a 1999 Honda 130 because of the problems you talked about with the Merc. I have a old Merc 70 hp and it has been a great engine. My price was 19k and it includes a trailer and lots of accessories. The engine has 163 hrs and I even got a warranty from the dealer. I am glad I got the Honda 130 as I think I will have no problems with that 4 stroke. I am sorry you are having those problems with yours. That is why they lost my sale. Since Whaler will now only allow you to purchase a Whaler with a Merc outboard, I belive mine will not lose any value. Hope the new ones have inproved.
KB posted 01-27-2003 03:17 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the comments. I've been assured that the new 135 Opti has been improved. I agonized about the 4-stroke, too.
wspellenbe posted 01-27-2003 06:22 PM ET (US)
Your not saying that I will have a problem with it are you? It is a new boat for me this summer so I am hoping that this is a good package for me and the family
TRAFFICLAWYER posted 01-28-2003 09:22 PM ET (US)
drydock:
I had a 1998 opti 135hp on my 18' ventura, one of problems was stalling at the ramp low speed/idle in reverse always stalled, turned out merc had a bunch of defective bulb/primers. Change yours and see what it does.
Drydock posted 02-09-2003 12:23 AM ET (US)
To Trafficlawyer
Thanks for the tip on the primer bulb. I purchased a new one and couldn't wait to give it a try. It felt much firmer than the old one and the 135 started up in about 3 seconds and then ran at idle without a sputter. The engine was stone cold and it was about 40 degrees outside.
BMR posted 02-09-2003 07:56 AM ET (US)
I have spent a weekend with a friend on his 2002 180VT with a 135 Opti. The boat ran great and was very comfortable for the kids and family. We did not fish, but rather used it for water sports. As for the engine relibility, it seemed to run fine and there were no problems.
Everyone really liked the aft seat.
Good luck with your boat.

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Author	Topic: 180 Ventura
KB	posted 01-22-2003 11:50 AM ET (US) (I posted this yesterday on the "Classics" page before I knew what a classic BW was -- hope I didn't offend anyone.) I just bought a 180 Ventura and will take possession in the spring. I intend to use it for a little fishing, but mostly messing around in the Chesapeake. I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who's had experience with the 180. Advice on set-up, maintenance, winter storage, performance. Thanks!
wspellenbe	posted 01-22-2003 04:22 PM ET (US) I am in the market for one. Where did you get it and how much $ did you pay? Why did you choose that model?
KB	posted 01-22-2003 06:46 PM ET (US) With the options and upgrades, $36.6 at the Baltimore boat show. Chose this model because I'm more interested in day-trips on the Chesapeake Bay with family and friends than in fishing. If I were in more sheltered water, or would be doing a lot of trailering, I probably would have chosen the 160 Ventura. I've been sailing on the Bay for 25 years and now I'm looking for a little more comfort and range. In any event, I'm sure I'll be pleased with the fact that it's a Whaler.
wspellenbe	posted 01-22-2003 11:12 PM ET (US) So you got a brand new one? 2003 Model? I am looking at a 1998 with a 130 Honda for 19k
TRAFFICLAWYER	posted 01-23-2003 02:33 PM ET (US) wspellenbe I paid about 24k in 1999 for a 1998 with a 135 opti,boat had all the options including ski/tow pole. i had it for about 1 season and due to the difficulty with the opti I elected to trade it. The Honda with a 130 would be an excellent power plant for the 18'. price sounds reasonable.
KB	posted 01-23-2003 02:50 PM ET (US) Actually, the 36.6 included 2.3 for the trailer. Hope the probs with the Opti 135 have been ironed out.
Drydock	posted 01-27-2003 01:25 AM ET (US) I have a 99 18' Ventura with the 135 Opti. Am very pleased with the hull, space and layout. Drivers seat is not height adjustable and puts my eye right at the top of the windshield. I plan to do something to improve that. Don't care for the Opti. I pamper it with good gas. New spark plugs and tune ups it starts then dies. always takes 4 or 5 attempts to get it to run. Once its warmed up it appears fine. Pretty embarrasing at the ramps though. And it seems Mercury will not admit any problems so there seems to be no recommendation to solve my problem. Just be sure and have a warrenty for the powerplant. I heard the Optis' improved in later years. We Ski and cruise. I'm not taking it anywhere where my butt depends on the Opti to get me back. I have a Honda 8 that I plan to add as a kicker. Seems like the show special for a 2002, 135 Opti, Trailer and a "Safety Package" Ran about $39 or 40K last year in California. Paid 20K for my 1999 used in late 2001. Thought the 16 was too small for the family with teenagers moving around and a new 18 was out of my budget range. After 2 seasons I still like the boat. Oh yes the Previous owner installed Doel Fins. Said he had a slight porposing (sp) problem and it took a lot of effort to get it up on plane with skiers. It pops right up on plane with the fins and trims out pretty good. Even when pulling my walrus sized frame up on skis.
wspellenbe	posted 01-27-2003 01:43 PM ET (US) I purchased a great condition 1998 18 with a 1999 Honda 130 because of the problems you talked about with the Merc. I have a old Merc 70 hp and it has been a great engine. My price was 19k and it includes a trailer and lots of accessories. The engine has 163 hrs and I even got a warranty from the dealer. I am glad I got the Honda 130 as I think I will have no problems with that 4 stroke. I am sorry you are having those problems with yours. That is why they lost my sale. Since Whaler will now only allow you to purchase a Whaler with a Merc outboard, I belive mine will not lose any value. Hope the new ones have inproved.
KB	posted 01-27-2003 03:17 PM ET (US) Thanks for the comments. I've been assured that the new 135 Opti has been improved. I agonized about the 4-stroke, too.
wspellenbe	posted 01-27-2003 06:22 PM ET (US) Your not saying that I will have a problem with it are you? It is a new boat for me this summer so I am hoping that this is a good package for me and the family
TRAFFICLAWYER	posted 01-28-2003 09:22 PM ET (US) drydock: I had a 1998 opti 135hp on my 18' ventura, one of problems was stalling at the ramp low speed/idle in reverse always stalled, turned out merc had a bunch of defective bulb/primers. Change yours and see what it does.
Drydock	posted 02-09-2003 12:23 AM ET (US) To Trafficlawyer Thanks for the tip on the primer bulb. I purchased a new one and couldn't wait to give it a try. It felt much firmer than the old one and the 135 started up in about 3 seconds and then ran at idle without a sputter. The engine was stone cold and it was about 40 degrees outside.
BMR	posted 02-09-2003 07:56 AM ET (US) I have spent a weekend with a friend on his 2002 180VT with a 135 Opti. The boat ran great and was very comfortable for the kids and family. We did not fish, but rather used it for water sports. As for the engine relibility, it seemed to run fine and there were no problems. Everyone really liked the aft seat. Good luck with your boat.