Seeking OPINIONS and SUGGESTIONS re: 1985 18'CC

[UNCbigM]

Hello all!

I'm looking for opinions, advice, suggestions, etc. regarding an 18' CC Hydra-Sports that I am considering purchasing as a first boat. I've had plenty of experience with boats in the past, mostly with '90s Whalers and Parkers in the 17-25' range with outboards and diesel inboards, and I know little of mid '80s H-S boats.

What is the reputation for the hull integrity? Any particular problem spots I should be aware of when I look at the boat next? Suggestions of what I should be paying for this boat with an '85 150 Merc in running condition?

Any and all comments are appreciated! Thank you!

 

[jw110481@ufl.edu]

Re: Seeking OPINIONS and SUGGESTIONS re: 1985 18'CC

I own a 1983 Hydra-Sports 18 CC and I love it. I bought the boat last year and was amazed at how well the boat is built. I pulled the console out to clean out the fuel tank and I expected to see rotten stringers and floor and everything was in great shape. This has to be the dryest riding boat I have ever been in. I've run her at 40+ mph in a pretty good chop and stayed dry. The only place I notice any cracks are in the gunnel cap near the teak trim at the rear of the boat, but these are only spider cracks in the gelcoat. The transom is in still in great shape. As for price I would say it depends entirely on condition, I got a deal on mine for 800.00 bucks, but it needed a new motor and the trailer was pretty rough. But after a little bit of work she is back on the water and runs great.

 

[micel]

Re: Seeking OPINIONS and SUGGESTIONS re: 1985 18'CC

I just paid $4,500 for a '83 ,18' cc,225 suzuki with a so-so aluminum trailer. I had one 10 yrs ago and sold it and have been looking for another 6yrs.A kevlar hull is a plus and take a good look at the transom b/c a merc 150 block can put out 280+ horsepower,you can not go by what the cowl says.If the engine has even compression over 105psi, solid hull,decent trailer low wholesale is about $2,000 but I have seen them go as high as $12,000 .

 

[UNCbigM]

Re: Seeking OPINIONS and SUGGESTIONS re: 1985 18'CC

Interesting. Thanks for the responses.

We bought the boat last Friday and are loving it so far. On the whole its in pretty good shape for a boat of its age. The engine had good compression 105-115 in all cylinders and the trailer is in good shape aside from lousy fenders, rusting leaf springs and no lighting.

The hull is in great condition and the interior is nice as well. The vinyls will need recovering but otherwise it is a very clean boat.

I agree with it being a pretty dry boat too. So far I have not gotten really wet, but have yet to get out on a really choppy day.

I've got a 1800SS model btw. We paid $3500, which I think was reasonable consdiering the condition, age, and running condition of the motor.

 

[micel]

Re: Seeking OPINIONS and SUGGESTIONS re: 1985 18'CC

My trailer sounds identical to yours .I found it was easier just torching fastners off fenders,etc,etc. The last bozo owner put a 25'' shaft engine on boat.So now I have a choice of drawing 4"+ of water and decreased performance,or I could change engines which would be costly b/c nobody around here will give me anything for the suzuki.I've been inquireing about putting a jack-plate on it.Does anyone have any other reasonable ideas?

 

[micel]

Re: Seeking OPINIONS and SUGGESTIONS re: 1985 18'CC

I ust read in another forum '83 was the first year they used kevlar.They did not kow much about it so they really put it on thick that year,supposedly it came in rolls of yellow mat and they used it heavy throught the boat.'84 they used less until '85 when they just used it to reinforce transom and attach stringers,basically b/c the high cost of kevlar .Then some time in '86 the owner came down with cancer and company lost direction and '87 was the last year they actually used it.They said plant manger actually left then and sold basically the same boat w/o kevlar called stratos.I know they made hydrasport boats in '88 but the orignal owner parted with
the company then.Ive been told nowdays they only use enough kevlar to say its present,structurelly very little.The only thing I know for sure is that my 24 year old hull looks like new w/o one stress crack.

 

[bluewater666]

Re: Seeking OPINIONS and SUGGESTIONS re: 1985 18'CC

I ust read in another forum '83 was the first year they used kevlar.They did not kow much about it so they really put it on thick that year,supposedly it came in rolls of yellow mat and they used it heavy throught the boat.'84 they used less until '85 when they just used it to reinforce transom and attach stringers,basically b/c the high cost of kevlar .Then some time in '86 the owner came down with cancer and company lost direction and '87 was the last year they actually used it.They said plant manger actually left then and sold basically the same boat w/o kevlar called stratos.I know they made hydrasport boats in '88 but the orignal owner parted with
the company then.Ive been told nowdays they only use enough kevlar to say its present,structurelly very little.The only thing I know for sure is that my 24 year old hull looks like new w/o one stress crack.

I've got a 1981 Kevlar 18 SS

 

[micel]

Re: Seeking OPINIONS and SUGGESTIONS re: 1985 18'CC

I was only going by what someone else stated, maybe he got confused about the years.It sounded as if he knew what he was talk about,I found it to be a very interesting reading!But yes you are right,since then I found you can find all types of information on boats at nada.com and clicking on consumer although they only go back to '79.The dates on stratos are right on.Its to bad the owner had fell ill b/c they really were making a good technicially advanced product then.Could you tell me the difference between the ss and the cc.Thanks