Some were so kind to comment on one boat I was considering, so...

[frankthomas]

If you wouldn't mind here are 2 more. My planned use is cruising with 4-7 people onboard. All inland lake but maybe Lake Michigan on a calm day. Pulling a couple tubers or a water skier, Thanks in advance for your comments...

 

[frankthomas]

And the 2nd one

I am comparing this one to the 18' Celebrity I just posted and against the 18' Crownline I posted earlier today. Thanks!

 

[jimmbo]

It has a V8, a small one but still an 8, it will have better towing capacity and/or higher top speed than the V6 and the inline 4. I have never heard of a boater complaining about too much power. Get an inspection done. nice and shiny can distract a purchaser from seeing flaws or problems till it is yours

 

[Scott06]

Both look to be taken care of and covered , interior on sea sprite looks cleaner trailer tires look new. If you want to take 4-7 people out I'd go for the v8 all things being equal. Definitely check stringers and transom for rot on boats this age . Any floor soft spots would indicate more trouble

 

[Scott Danforth]

The problem is your looking at 30 year old boats in the 5k range. There are usually the boats that become project boats needing a full restoration.

I would get a thorough inspection from a trained surveyor and get a reading with a moisture meter and a FLIR camera.

 

[tpenfield]

I think the Celebrity may be a better choice . . . bigger engine and the amount of freeboard looks to be higher.

The Sea Sprite looks to have a fair amount of corrosion showing on the outdrive.

As stated, the actual condition of the structure would be a significant consideration with either, and that stuff you cannot see in typical Ad photos.

 

[nola mike]

Sea Sprite seems to be NLA, celebrity looks like a nice boat, very clean from the pics seen. If I were doing it again, I'd place a lot of stock on the interior. If it's nice, I'd bet you're a lot less likely to encounter rot (which is now what terrifies me). That boat will move with a 5.0...

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... 7 folks in an 18' boat,..?? That's alota people in a tiny boat,....

 

[nola mike]

Ayuh,.... 7 folks in an 18' boat,..?? That's alota people in a tiny boat,....

We routinely do that in my 19'. Plenty of room. More the merrier.

 

[southkogs]

We stack 5 or 6 in my 19' quite often ... I wouldn't say "plenty of room" but I would say "comfortable, while cozy"

 

[frankthomas]

By OP - Thanks all for the input. They are going fast. 2 of the three boats have sold leaving the Celebrity which I felt best about anyways though maybe not as sexy as the others. I am looking at it this Wednesday 8/30 and will take it out on the water.

 

[frankthomas]

I looked at the 18' Celebrity and am amazed at the condition. Owned by one family and kept indoors if it was not in the water. And it was only in the water to use it. The thing is cherry. These people really know how to take care of stuff. You could tell just by looking around their property. Sea trial on Saturday 9/9 and if it performs (and I have little doubt it will) it will be in my garage. Then use it a couple times this year (I'm in Michigan) then off to the marina for indoor storage. Winter's coming and it's going to be long waiting for the first day I can get it back out.