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I test drove a 1991 Outrage today. It had a 1991 150 V6 Johnson, and a weird t-top that was mounted to the deck with a rectangular plate that fit over the custom seat that replaced the rps seat. It had gold rocket launchers behind the seat back. The t-top was able to fold back by loosening 6 allen wrench head bolts. I guess this was so it could fit in a gargage. The antennae wiring was through the t-top tubing. The guy had under gunnel lights, a trickle charger he was very proud of, an outlet to charge cell phone and cig lighter. Both batteries were in the motor well and were not in battery boxes. Instead they were fastened with the same hardware one uses for inside console adaptations. The trim tilt guage didn't seem to work properly and the tach seemed to indicate a higher rev than justified by the speed. The engine made a sort of whining noise that sounded very different from my 90 Johnson. The boat's ride characteristics seemed for lack of a better word soft and not as tight as my Montauk. I don't have any experience with the 18 ride so I don't know what's normal. I looked under all the deck hatches and they were all wet and grimy and in need of new O-rings. There appeared to be almost 1/2 inch of water above the gas tank towards the stern. The owner had the original manual, bag, and engine manual and a few extra decals. He told me the boat wasn't bottom painted when he bought it 4 years ago. He's 72 and has the local marina do all the maintenance and storage.
The deck caulking was cracking in many areas and a few deck screws looked like they weren't seated all the way.
The owner had listed the boat for 15K, then 11K, and now 9.5K. He knows the motor is old and there isn't any trailer. I asked him what happened to the original seat and he told me he didn't know. My guess is his mechanic took it when he installed the new non-Whaler seat. The bad part of the new seat is it doesn't have a swinging seat back. Under the seat is a fancy box with storage draws that open aft made out of white starboard. He has one of those very expensive Fenstress (sp?) anchors.
I spoke to a nearby repair place that does very nice work. They told me it would be about $1,100 to replace the gas tank with an aluminum epoxied tank, replace fuel lines, install stainless racor, and recaulk deck. I priced a trailer at $1,600. I told the guy I might consider 7K. But if you also factor in needing a repower soon and all his customizing that is not to my taste and you wind up with a weird concoction.
I'm going to continue looking for the ideal 18 Outrage. I think the best prospect would be one that was repowered a few years ago with a Yamaha 150 4 stroke and owned by someone as OCD as myself and hopefully in the NY tri state area.
I know what you mean, Duf. I think the way your deal played out is the best -- good hull, newer power, newer trailer. This way all the big items are out of the way and you don't have to take the big hit.
