1979 McKee craft 14'

[Rich305]

Anyone familiar with these boats I found a pretty decent deal on one. Ok my number one question its do they get water logged? I tried to lift it off the floor from the trailer tounge and was able but it felt rather heavy. It whole boat it's self feels solid. Any I put on these type of boats. I've heard the hull its self is filled with foam can't the foam contain water after being left out? Thier is a few holes in the floor due to screws that where in thier from Seats and such.. Thanks

 

[Rich305]

And I have a 1999 johnson 50hp will this be able to push it?

 

[hadaveha]

They are heavy but yes they get very water logged they can easy way double. I have had a couple but when they water log their is pretty much nothing within reason you can do

 

[Rich305]

So is thier any way I can check it to make sure of its all guessing at this point?

 

[hadaveha]

You could allways take it and weigh it. Your can look the dry weight up on line ad some for the trailer some for the motor, and so on and see if it's close, it could be just setting really forward on the trailer

 

[Rich305]

The trailer alone is heavy looks like 1/4 steel all the way around

 

[RumDiet]

I have an 80's something McKee 14 footer - great boat We have a 50 hp merc and it moves it - boat is rated for 70 hp - but personally I think thats too much. Boat is great in calm waters but pounds a lot in chop. Can be very wet as well.

The front hatch had become waterlogged - I am rebuilding it now - the plywood was soaking wet when I got the hatch apart. I wouldn't be surprised if the rest of the boat has water in it as well - but it serves our purpose and doesn't owe me a thing - so I will use it for as long as it will float.

McKee went belly up around 2009 - but there is a company that took over the name and is selling the smaller boats - 14' included. Just google McKee Boats.

 

[Rich305]

From whAt I heard these boats have no wood in them is this true

 

[hadaveha]

No they do have wood in them wood transom wood under the decks, not as much wood as some boats but they have wood

 

[Woodonglass]

A 36 year old boat, unless she's been very well cared for and maintained will probably have some serious issues with Deck, Flotation Foam and Transom. I'd highly recommend some major investigation into all of these areas to ensure they are all structurally sound. If you don't have Hatch access to below deck then you will need to cut access holes to see what is below and drill core samples of the foam and transom to ascertain their condition. The McKees appear to be a Totally Foam Filled hull and when dry should weigh in the 650 lb range with No Motor.

 

[hadaveha]

those mckees were built just like boston whalers you can go onto continuous wave and read a lot about the water logged issue on there, these boats have no voids they are solid foam from skin to skin, so as the foam starts to soak up the water they can truly end up double what they should weigh

 

[Rich305]

Ok thanks for your input guys I might have to pass up on this one

 

[hadaveha]

Take it to a recycling center or a truck stop and weigh it. If it's a good deal, they are great boats if they are not water loged

 

[Rich305]

Yea I doubt the seller will let me take it weight it and bring it back and give him the bad news lol it's only 500$ but I don't wanna deal with a headache

 

[djm3801]

Shipping weight of a 14' hull is 665 pounds per 1982 catalog.

 

[hadaveha]

500 bucks man that's a tricky one those McKee crafts are great boats if they are not water loged and I'd say you had a great deal, if it is water loged you have a $500.00 motor and trailer

 

[Rich305]

No motor on it, I'm looking at this key west hull now lol 15'