posted 04-05-2004 09:37 AM ET (US)            

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp?&units=Feet&checked_boats=1130081&slim=broker&&hosturl=gkys&&ywo=gkys&

posted 04-05-2004 03:39 PM ET (US)            

It was expensive for BW to build and they wanted to make the OUtrage line more of a true offshore line at 21ft and up.

posted 04-06-2004 11:38 AM ET (US)            

The boat is heavy so consider this if you want to tow it. I have a dual axle LoadRite trailer and guess I am close to pulling my max rating of 5000lbs when the boat is loaded with gas (Boat ~ 2500lb, Engine ~ 550lb, Trailer ~ 1200lb, plus 90 gallons of gas). I only pull a short distance but what need to upgrade my tow vehicle if considering longer trips.

As far as options, I have a bimini and I had a lounge platform installed in the bow along with a cushion for cruising. Dual batteries, leaning post, raw water washdown, 94 qt cooler, fish boxes, and eight rod holders (2 on each gunwale, 2 on the leaning post, and another 2 on the bait table mounted midships in the stern (along with another four in front of the console while underway)) make up some of the amenities in the boat that make this such a great fishing machine.

What would I add if I could? Well, I think the boat could use a pair of Bennett Trim Tabs to assist in keeping the boat on plane at lower speed. Being in TG_190's Nantucket and seeing the difference his Lenco tabs made in the ride of that great BW convinced me that tabs would help most center consoles in that size range. Other than that, a factory T-Top is available which would be great with canvas for an enclosure for cold weather fishing. Other than those two biggies, there's not much more the boat needs. When it comes time to repower I will look for a larger Opti/other Merc. The boat is rated for 200HP so I will consider maxing it out at that point. WOT at 5200 RPM last year with a SS Vengeance 17P prop was 41.7MPH on GPS. While heading to fishing grounds I cruise at a respectable 30MPH at around 4000RPM. This year I switched to a Black Max 19P Aluminum and haven't had a chance to read new performance numbers. I switched to an aluminum prop to help save the lower end of the Opti in case I hit any debris in the river which is notorious for driftwood in the spring and after heavy rains. Shifting is also much smoother.

If you and a buddy like to fish, in the size range you mention, in the waters you mention, you will not find a more solidly built boat. I saw one in the New Jersey edition of "The Fisherman" recently.

Hope this helps a bit.

Ron

posted 04-11-2004 08:22 PM ET (US)            

Found the boat new in 2001 at a dealer here in Michigan, the first use in April 2001 set off the temp alarm. The dealer looked at this problem many times over that summer and did some type of retro-fitting of either additional water intake lines or larger ones, under warranty. The problem has popped up a couple of other times during the two following summers while at idle speed. The feed back from the dealer is that Mercury has reported other like problems with the same motors.

During 2002 and 2003 a fuel starvation issue came up. Any thing less than 2000 rpm's would occasionaly cause a stalling problem that required the primer bulb to be squeezed several times to get some gas to the motor. The dealer has looked at this problem numerous times and replaced various items in the gas line, but, has not been able to tell me it's something that I'm doing wrong, or something with the gas, oil, etc., as of last fall the problem is still there. Not fun while in a no wake zone situation.

Great boat! See about checking the repair history, if any, on that motor, if's it a Mercury.

Good luck,

posted 04-11-2004 08:59 PM ET (US)            

Never left me stranded though.

posted 04-12-2004 12:47 AM ET (US)            

In the 50 hours I've since put on the motor I've had no heat problems (I do a lot of trolling in New York harbor as well) but I had it stall once when going from full reverse to neutral. It started right up though,so no complaints. I find it interesting that the same block is used for the 115, 135, 150, and 175 Merc. Does that mean the lower hp motors are over engineered? They have a slightly lower WOT as well ~5500RPM as opposed to ~5750RPM.

I'll be fishing on a 2003 18 Dauntless later this week. First time I'll have been on a Dauntless. Given it is the same size as my Outrage and I'll be fishing both inshore and near shore off the coast of Florida, I'll try to give a comparison when I return.

Tight Lines.

posted 04-12-2004 09:22 PM ET (US)            

I just made a deal to buy "HugeHugo's" Outrage. It is a terrific boat in amazing condition...like many of our Michigan Whalers. The short season combined with that nice fresh water means very little deterioration.

As you may remember, Hugo had so many problems with his 135 Optimax that he repowered with a shiny new Honda 200 4-stroke. He decided to put the 200 on his new Scout 222 Dorado...a dual-console to make his wife and daughter happy. He ordered the Scout with a Honda pre-rig, so he left all the Honda rigging, cables, gauges, etc. behind for me.

After much discussion with him about the performance and weight of the 200, I've decided to get a brand-new Honda 150 4-stroke for the boat. The all-new design of the 150 is 115 lbs. lighter than the 200 and features Honda's VTEC Variable Valve Timing technology. He felt that if the 150 had been available when he repowered that he would have gone that route...but since his only choice at the time was the much heavier 200, that's what he got. He didn't feel that the 200 was too much weight for the 18 Outrage, but didn't feel that the boat was underpowered even with the 135 Opti. As he said, he didn't repower because the boat was underpowered...he did it for reliability.

The boat is well equipped with the fishing package, livewell, coaming bolsters, bimini, a tandem Shoreland'r trailer and a full complement of Raymarine electronics.

I am one happy camper!

posted 04-12-2004 09:47 PM ET (US)            

A tandem trailer. I'm hearing and reading alot of that lately.

posted 04-12-2004 10:01 PM ET (US)            

My neighbor also has a 2000 18 Outrage. His has a 135 Opti and sits on a single axle Shoreland'r trailer. He has towed it from Detroit to Miami and back a few times with no problems. I don't think it's a big deal, but tandem axle trailers do tow a little easier. And, if you should have a flat, it's not as big a problem. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.

posted 04-18-2004 10:29 PM ET (US)            

Congratulations on the purchase of Hugo's Outrage! He had (and now you have) a unique setup with the Honda as the choice for power. I will be extremely interested in hearing how you like the performance of the 150 Honda 4 stroke.

When reliability becomes an issue for me (hopefully many years down the road) I will be faced with a decision of either staying with Mercury or going to another vendor. Knowing that you are out there with that 150 Honda will be helpful.

Does your Outrage have trim tabs on it? I've been kicking around the idea for the last 6 months or so and am wondering if any of our members have tabs on this model Outrage?

Best of luck with it and welcome to our "smaller" club!

Oh, BTW, I just got back from Florida where small craft advisories kept me from fishing in a 2003 18 Dauntless, but I did spend a day fishing in the Port St. Lucie River on the cutest little 1995 13 ft Dauntless (40HP Johnson). She may wind up becoming the little sister to my Outrage as I'd love to introduce my kids to boating with that sturdy little craft.

posted 04-19-2004 09:58 AM ET (US)            

The boat does not currently have trim tabs, but I will probably add them at some point. I am a big believer in them...we have them on our Grady. They really help to control the attitude of the boat, especially in heavy seas. Since the 18 is so beamy, I think it should be pretty stable (side to side), but tabs are great for getting the bow down. I am most familiar with Bennett tabs, but am thinking about Lenco's for the Outrage because of the ease of installation. I know that John Flook (kingfish) has had great luck with Lencos on his 22 Outrage.

I'm also really excited about the prospect of Honda power. I love Honda products and have had numerous Honda cars, motorcycles, ATVs, generators, lawn stuff....they've all been first rate. The only bummer is the $$$...they are expensive! I guess all new outboards are pricey, but the Hondas are really up there. But I'm sure I'll get over the cost once it's on the boat and purring along.

I wish you good luck with your Optimax! My neighbor has had the identical boat/motor combo that you have since 2000 and has had very little problem with the Opti. I think the key is how you use it. From what I've read, they need to be run hard regularly. As a salmon fisherman, I spend all day trolling at 2.5-3 mph...so I think the 4 stroke will be much better for that application.

I'll post more info as I soon as I get the boat in the water and get some real performance numbers.

posted 04-20-2004 09:01 PM ET (US)            

Ron, I just called Mills today about a forward shelter for my new 18 Outrage...they don't make one and none of their existing ones will fit. :-(

But maybe if both of us want to order one, they will re-consider. And if anyone else wants in on the deal, so much the better.

Tom