$13000 good deal for McKee 1800CC Pulse??

[Birdman84]

So I am selling my 14ft classic McKee and looking at a 2004 McKee 1800CC Pulse. I'm wondering if you guys think $13,000 is a good deal, I talked them down from $14,500. It's got a 130 Honda motor (I checked out the serial and it doesn't appear to be in the string of problematic ones), it's a one owner boat, comes with trailer but no t-top (which sucks). Planning to sea trial this weekend and if all goes well bring it home. Advice on this one? I'm a little nervous as the first boat I bought I overpaid for. Thanks in advance for input!

 

[roffey]

Personally, boats are hard to put a price on. If its the boat you always wanted and its in perfect condition then you are buying a life time of memory, laughs and smiles. If its a POS you will regret the day you ever saw it, but it sounds like you already experienced that, lol..... A 130hp Honda motor would likely be the beater part of the asking price. A 2004 is 14 years old and if it has not been taken care of it can be a money pit. For 13k you may want to have it surveyed or have a boat savvy individual look at it...

I am sure other will chime in with better advice than I...

 

[Birdman84]

Yea I'm more focused on the Honda outboard...the McKee 1800 is what I had in mind regardless. Aren't too many of them for sale around the area I live and I'm much more familiar with yammi's and merc's than the Honda. They do have service records from every year, all manuals, etc. I do much of my own maintenance on my other two outboards so although not a pro, I have basic knowledge. After visually inspecting the motor I would say for a 14yr old motor it was very clean. Very little rust visible, seals looked good. Worst was the anodes needed replacing. Only in fresh water from '04-'12.

 

[roffey]

I read my post, I said the motor was the beater part and I meant the better part, lol. Kind of changes the way it reads. Spelling was never my strong point...

 

[Birdman84]

And to your point..can anyone comment on the longevity of Honda motors (assuming well maintained)? I cannot say I've seen many in 3 years on the water where I live, at least not older ones. I do see them on some of the tow boats/other service boats but that's mostly it, and when I have seen them I recall them looking newer. I say that in comparison to how many older yammi/merc etc I see on a normal day. On another note, I've owned several Honda vehicles and they were nothing but great. The seller told me Honda actually started producing outboards before vehicles???

 

[briangcc]

My 115 Honda was actually based off the same motor they use in the Civics. I believe the 90, 115, and 130 shared the same blocks at the time. They're pretty much bullet proof requiring simple oil changes you can do at home. I see any number of them around the 1000 Islands or Black Lake (where I vacation). I've seen some older ones too kicking around so that wouldn't scare me off.

Personally, I love my Honda and, don't tell the wife, I'm checking Craigslist to see if my old boat pops up as I'd snag it back in a heartbeat.