1998 181 Champion S/C?

[SHW300]

I have the oppotunity to buy a 1998 Champion 181 that is all original & has always been in dry storage. The boat is in overall excellent shape with matching Champion singe axle trailer. It has a color Lowrance fish/depth finder on the front (less than 2 yeras old), a original working Motor Guide trolling motor, Lowrance depth finder at the console. The problem is that the original Mercury Black Max has a blown powerhead. The owner did not have it advertised as I found it thru a friend. The boat has been sitting in enclosed storage for the last year and half. I can buy everything for $2,000 The owner has been very honest & straight forward & also guarntees all the electronics & trolling motor to work.. He said he would fix it, but he used it very seldom before it blew up. The boat looks great with very very little to no scrapes to the boat.

Should I buy it? I can fix the motor my self. A new powerhead will be required. The owner has no idea why it failed. Thanks

[skunked_again]

id still take the boat to the lake and use the trolling motor to putt around in the boat and check things.

the next step is getting quotes to repair the motor.

[cart7t]

$2000?  If you don't buy it I will.

If you want to do it yourself, get a Clymers manual for that engine.  You can find rebuilt 150-175hp powerheads, complete, for around $3500-4000.  After installation you'd still probably want to take it to a pro to have the thing tuned properly.

At $6000, it's still a good deal.

[fishfordollars]

It's a good buy.

You said you can fix it yourself. If so the first thing you need to do is find out why it blew in the first place. Otherwise you may have more practice repairing than you want.

good luck.

[BassnMan Mike]

You can find rebuilt 150-175hp powerheads, complete, for around $3500-4000. After installation you'd still probably want to take it to a pro to have the thing tuned properly.

At $6000, it's still a good deal.

I'm with Cart here. Even if you just buy a rebuilt motor your still only looking at around 6k, which would still be a great price for it.

[SHW300]

New info.  It is actually a 1992 model.  I know nothing about champions. but started looking at 1998 models online & noticed that the seats were different in this boat.  He checked the paperwork and it is actually a 1992 model.  I will probably pass & just look for one running.