MCKEE CRAFT

I am looking at a 03 18’ cc mckee with a v-hull and a 175hp evinrude. Been trying to do some research about the boat and hard to find any info. Quailty? Ride? I think Mckee just recently went out of business, not sure. Does any one know who is handling their warranty work if any? Thanks

Don’t know if they’re out of business… But, the McKee outer hull design was closer to a cathedral hull than a semi-V. In small chop they are great. If the chop gets big enough to start slapping the hull anywhere in the back third of the hull, you start getting some real kidney punchers.

Very well built boat, though.

If you’re only doing inshore, bays, and sounds and such it’d be a good hull.

Unless it is an old hammerhead. If it is a hammerhead, it is a sweet big water hull.


17’ Henry O Hornet
w/ Johnson 88spl

Palmer, what models were they making in 2003? If it’s the 18 Bay Classic then it is a catherdal hull, but I’m pretty sure the 18 Pulse and 184 Freedom are both deep V’s… It’s probably a pulse (with the so-called euro rolled off gunnels at the transom).

No matter which one it is, 175 seems like too much motor.

EDIT I got curious, and found this thread on THT about a 1800 Pulse, if that is what it is… helpful info…

http://www.thehulltruth.com/mckee-craft-boats/104853-mckee-craft-pulse.html

Baker
Old, beat up 17’ McKee

There’s a specific McKee Craft board on thehulltruth.com. Not trying to promote that site; but that specific board does exist and some of your answers there.

REBEL its a Pulse SX is what the owner says. He said it runs 60-65 mph. It is a deep-v. thanks for the link I have to look that up at home it is blocked at work. old man had it and died now have to sell.

Sorry, I missed the ‘03’ in the original post. My info is more about the earlier hulls.

rebel appears to be on the right track.


17’ Henry O Hornet
w/ Johnson 88spl

The 18 pulse is a very good boat. I believe it is the hull that was used to make what is now the 18 and 19 marathon.

Foam filled, solid ride. I would have more concerns over the engine than the hull. They seem to be hit and miss.

what issues should I look out for with the engine?

I saw the ad; it’s a ficht direct injection motor, which got a horrible wrap when they first came out b/c OMG let their quality control go to crap. BUT when Bombardier bought the Johnson/Evinrude names in 2001 they tightened up the quality control and I’m under the impression that the 2002 & later motors are pretty decent. It’s basically an older version of the E-TEC with a different type of injection system. I wouldn’t be too worried about it; from what I recall if the engine makes it past 100 hours or so, it’s probablly gonna be just fine & it should be pretty fuel efficient. I don’t know about parts/service/maintenance tho. - My 2 cents at least.

Baker
Old, beat up 17’ McKee