18' century vs 18' mckee craft - The Hull Truth

rthrock1 · 07-17-2007, 02:58 AM

I really want to get a Mckee craft 184 Marathon. Local dealer will give me 07 with T-top and 140 suzuki for 23k. This seems like a good deal but I really didn't want to spend more than 20k and I would still need to get GPS, Stereo and FF and have them installed.

I found a 03 Century 18' with T-Top, Yam 115 w/176 hrs, GPS, FF,VHF and 5 star trailer for 14,900 which I can probably get for 13k.

Is this boat as good in the ocean as the Mckee craft?

What do you guys think I should do, this is obviously going to be my first boat.

Any insight would be appreciated.

billh1963 · 07-17-2007, 07:43 AM

The McKee is one tough boat. If you want a McKee then look for a used one if the budget won't cover what you want.

Personally, I like the McKee.

SCAngler · 07-17-2007, 07:47 AM

if you plan on keeping the boat for a while get the mckee craft because if you don't that's all you will think about. if you plan to keep her only a couple of years & move up get the century or another used boat. good luck

don27dog · 07-17-2007, 07:56 AM

McKee

striper nailer · 07-17-2007, 09:16 AM

a mckee 184 suz 140 and t-top for 23 k is a bargain. to put it in perspective, a whaler 18 or grady 18 is about 30k, no options and minimum hp.

jxg · 07-17-2007, 10:17 AM

never ridden in the McKee, but from the looks they seem very well built.

I can give first hand experience on the 1800 Century. I currently own that same boat (minus the T-Top). I would say its a great little boat for running rivers or in the bay in VERY moderate chop (the boat draws very little water). Anything more and its a very wet ride. I have gone out on mild mornings and been caught coming home where i have been pounded. you have to drop the speed WAAAAAY down when there is any chop at all. I am ordering trim tabs this week to see if it helps, but I don't have high hopes for it. $13k sounds like a great price for that setup (i paid about the same for mine last year - about 40 hours, did have FF, GPS, and VHF, no t-top).

One last opinion, every once in awhile i wish the original owner had opted for the F150. Top end is not a problem (at least not for me, anyway), but the boat is sluggish coming out of the hole. Problem for me is I compare it to my 16' Wahoo that had a 70 on it or my ski boat with the 325HP.

Sorry so long winded, but I guess to answer your question "is this boat as good in the ocean as the McKee", I don't know if its as good, I just don't think its a great ocean boat - its designed for shallows and the bay (on good days).

rthrock1 · 07-17-2007, 11:16 AM

Looks like Mckee it is going to be. Thanks for all your feedback.

DWS · 07-17-2007, 12:00 PM

try to find a good used McKee Craft...go a head...I dare you!

I've tried looking off and on for more then a few years but haven't really found any one to my liking...I talked once with a McKee Craft salesman who told me that those boats never really make it to the used market, either they are "given to someone in the family or people hold onto them for a really long time..."

Good luck...

DaveS

Y&R · 07-17-2007, 02:40 PM

23k for that boat is a GREAT price assuming nothing is wrong with the boat.

jxg · 07-17-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

DWS - 7/17/2007 11:00 AM

try to find a good used McKee Craft...go a head...I dare you!

I've tried looking off and on for more then a few years but haven't really found any one to my liking...I talked once with a McKee Craft salesman who told me that those boats never really make it to the used market, either they are "given to someone in the family or people hold onto them for a really long time..."

Good luck...

DaveS

this seems like a good deal - my wife is going to kill me.....

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