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| I resently found this old Tuffy collecting dust in a barn.It looks like new and the the floor and transom are sound.The owner is willing to let it go at a very reasonably price so I can't get hurt too badly. The hull is rated for 50hp and that's what it's got. At 18 feet and 800 pounds empty,is that enough horses? Does anybody remember any other characteristics of this boat? How about you,sworrall?Check deep into the archives of your memory and help me out.Is re-rating of the horsepower possible? |
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Member
Posts: 921
Location: Manitowoc, WI | Hey Fibtat, I had a 16' 1988 Tuffy Rampage and it was rated for a 55HP. Wouldn't an 18' be rated for more than that? Just curious.
Edited by Horshak 11/8/2005 4:55 PM
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| Horshak,I would think so.One of my sons was an '85 Rampage 15 and its rated for 45hp.It has the same 75" beam as the 18.He looked at the tag and it said 50.Maybe he needs a vision test.Did the '88 model have a wider beam? If the boat is solid(no test drive,yet) I wouldn't mind investing in a newer o/b especially since this one has no T/T but a 60-70hp would be better. |
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Location: Rhinelander | I think that boat was rated for a 60 HP tiller, will have to check. If I remember right, the MWC Championship 180 XT models had 60 Mariners on the transom. It's a great boat, that's for sure. |
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Member
Posts: 921
Location: Manitowoc, WI | I agree with Steve. It's a great boat. The 88 16' Rampage I owned had a 72" beam I believe. My buddy Dave Andersen had an 18 footer with a 60HP Evinrude on it that we fished out of. |
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| Thanks for the info,guys.Steve,I would appreciate you checking on the hp rating.I did contact Tuffy regarding info. on my son's'85 Rampage 15 but they weren't much help. I'm inclined to buy it after a test drive to be sure the transoms not weak.That'll be three Tuffy boats in the driveway next to the double-wide! |
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Member
Posts: 921
Location: Manitowoc, WI | Hey Fibtat! Make sure you check one spot on that Tuffy before you buy it. The exterior of the transom at the bottom of the motor mount bracket. Check with a flashlight. This area will show circular stress cracks if driven hard in rough conditions too long. I know this from a friends personal experience. Good Luck. |
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| Thanks for the advice,Horshak.I did look at the transom but I'll look again with that though in mind.
This is not the MWC edition.NADA lists that boat as coming out in'89. It ,also,states the boat is 7'6" wide and weighs 2000 lbs. The boat I'm looking at has a 75' beam and weighs 800lbs. That would explain the difference in hp.ratings. I still think can handle more then 50 horses. |
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Location: Rhinelander | Horshak,
If one fellow had stress cracks around the motor mount on a boat that had been 'driven hard', that doesn't mean ANY other Tuffy might, or would show similar crazing. What you describe could have been from a too loose or over torqued engine mounting, not using a transom saver as prescribed, not sealing the motor bolts properly if the unit was built before Tuffy went to a full composite transom, or any number of other factors including too much clear coat in that area, delamination from impact, etc.
The boat in question certainly shouldn't have that problem. I'd look for a solid floor and side tanks and make sure everything is solid. It IS a pretty old unit, but they hold up pretty well, all things considered. |
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Member
Posts: 921
Location: Manitowoc, WI | Sorry Steve! I forgot to include the other possibilities for the cracking. I was just going on what I was told when this individual case was presented to me. And I definitely agree that Tuffy takes after their name. TUFF! Thanks for the additional insights. |
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