2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

[RCSConstruction]

Hi folks.
Yea it's me again with another boat question.
This boat can be had for 11,000 in a market of boats that are all creeping up to 15-16g's. I did a search and I only found one gentlemen that has this boat and he seemed to enjoy it. Is this a quality brand? What other boats are made by wellcraft or who makes wellcraft.
I have 4 hour window of opportunity to get this boat. Should I pull the trigger?
Thanks again everyone
here's the boat that didn't sell earlier this month on eBay. It says a 5.7l but it is a 5.0. They claim all service has been done.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/WELL...emZ300090170031QQcategoryZ31270QQcmdZViewItem

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

Looks brand new. I would imagine a new boat similar to this would be like $25k. If the engine turns out to indeed be in good condition I would say that is an excellent price. I don't know what Welcraft's reputation is but they have certainly been around for a long time.

 

[tommays]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

Wellcraft is and A list builder


The rest is just makeing sure its in good shape

Tommays

 

[KCook]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

I was shopping for a new bowrider that year, and did take a hard look at the Wellcrafts. They were not an expensive brand at all. Priced (at that time) more in the range of Glastron or the lower price models for Maxum. Not a bad boat (seriously thought about buying one), but not at all fancy. Really not at all up to the same game level as Crownline, Four Winns, or Monterey.

IMHO a 186 is a small boat for a V8. I would pass on this particular boat.

Kelly

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

IMHO a 186 is a small boat for a V8. I would pass on this particular boat.

I thought the same thing, however I thought "damn that must be fast as heck, I want it!!!"

 

[QC]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

Well I am not sure why all of that power is bad etiher. The only issue I would have RCS, is it sounded in another one of your posts like you wanted to spend some time offshore and I think you should go at least 20, preferably 23 for that . . . Good luck. Would be a great boat at Parker and Havasu and your local lakes for sure.

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

Ahhhhh Now I am confused...
I thought that a V-8 was what to look for? Why would it be too big?
I have been changing my mind by the hour and have came to the conclusion that we probably will not be venturing out too far this year. I am not comfortable with my boating skills to take those offshore trips.
I did have my heart set on a 20' but was also told by a buddy of mine that it may be a pain running the river with the bigger boats.
My boat will be 50% bay use and 50% river use.
I am on standby as someone beat me up there. This is a 2 1/2 hour drive for me so I told the owner I will only make the trek if they can guarantee me a 4 hour time window that they have the boat and are not going to be showing it.
Does a v-6 do well in these size boats? I can get a 186 boat with a 4.3 v-6 for 10,000.....................
Thanks everyone, you have been great!!!!!

 

[QC]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

The 4.3 is very good in 18 footers. Still there is nothing wrong with a V8 in that boat that I can think of. If you run at the river (Colorado) my guess is you'll want to go fast. Be careful though!! 55 is zippin' and things can get ugly real quick like

 

[KCook]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

A V8 is purrrrrfect for a 20 footer. But an 18 is a MUCH smaller boat than a 20. Even though that 2 feet doesn't sound like much.

"told by a buddy of mine that it may be a pain running the river with the bigger boats"

If we are talking 18 vs 20, then I disagree with your buddy. The ideal river boat will have a jet drive or outboard motor. In many cases this also means a smaller boat (under 20'). But it's the difference in propulsion that makes the advantage for the river. Not boat size.

V6 would be fine for a 186 class boat. It's the motor they were designed for in the first place.

I kind of agree with QC, in that you are going to find it nearly impossible to reconcile the ideal offshore boat with the ideal river boat. One or the other mission will be compromised.

Kelly

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

I think that is a great deal on that boat.It does look very well taken care of..

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

8) Hmmm i have one and disagree on some of the above account's, First a 351 would be a gas with that boat it's 18.6 feet long and a 8 foot beam on a 20 degree dead rise hull and and draft's 18" of water, it will cut a 2 foot chop at 40mph better than a 20 foot glasstron or rinker, i have tried them all.

If you look close it is a very tall boat which make's for a very dry ride, ive had mine out on the columbia near the mouth in a 5-6 wave's chasing salmon and with the top up not a drop of water in the boat.

With a 215 horse 4.3 tbi she will do 56 mph and a little chine walk at 55, merc enertia is in the future soon, it's very stable with 6 people in the boat, ive never have had a lean issue yet.

Yeah i have a dog in the fight, i do own one and am very happy, but i also have a bud who own's a marina, and have tried all of the above boat's mentioned above the that wellcraft is faster, smoother than them all......8) and after a few upgrade's are done she will be swankier than them by far......8).....Just a opinion you mileage may vary..........

And a sx drive another value,,,,,,,,,,,If you buy her let me know i have a 22p 4 blade stilletto ill make you a hell of deal on.......:devil: out to get to 57-8 mph

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

The blue stripes are new huh? looks good TG!

 

[Solittle]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

I have a 1988 23' Wellcraft CC & love it.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

Those are just tape line's, WellCraft has long linage of high performance boat's, hopefully i will be able to get or accent the hull, to bring out how truly graceful tis boat was meant to be.....8)

I believe this boat is the grandfather of the 186,

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

Well.... They pulled it out today and it has a cracked block.
Other than that it is in perfect shape. They simply didn't drain the water.
My question would be how much would it take to replace the motor?
I found a marine vortec motor for 2200. New not reman.
So I would have to swap out manifolds,accessories,etcc.. new gaskets, what else? What would you think would be a good cushion money wise? 3000? 3500? They are willing to deal and the thought of getting this boat and being able to get to know it very well by replacing the motor sounds good to me. I like to know how things are put together and this would be perfect for me to get accustomed to boat repair and have a brand new motor... Can't complain there.
Keep in mind I can wrench with the best of them. I am no hack. I have built quite few hi-po motors in my day. Balanced and blue printed. So bottom line.. How much would it take extra besides the longblock. I know I could probably get by with a short block but not this time.
Thanks everyone.

P.S. I know some might think I am nuts but this boat screams my name.o

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

So do women scream your name. It aint necessarily a good thing. Boats are like women and cars: there's always another one down the road. Don't hurry into it with a 4 hour window! Act in haste, repent in leisure.

 

[RCSConstruction]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

You would think after all my years of buying "projects' I would have learned by now..... I can still talk myself into just about anything..o
I take that as a "don't do it", Frank?:'(
Thank you for your input

 

[QC]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

$3500 if you swing the long block yourself . . .

 

[studlymandingo]

The boat looks nice from the photos. Shame the block is cracked! If you are comfortable with the wrenching, then a 3500 discount would be acceptable. At that point, you'll have a much better understanding of your boats propulsion system which will make for easier maintainence and repairs in the future.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: 2000 WELLCRAFT 186ss--NEED ADVICE quick!!!!

Strictly a opinion here,go with a V-8, get one with efi, the cost of revamping the exhaust should outrun the cost of the V-8, I guess my boat does chine walk @ 55 but putting Trim tab's resolved that issue. However if that boat was run in salt water you might want to check the manifold's closey also.

Hmmm iv'e never known a V-6 that sounds a tight as a V-8