Malibu 182 opinions?
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Macdeep
Active Member
I've had one for a few years now. I like it, but despite the fact that it's probably the right size boat for me, I still have a mild case of 2 foot-itis, but I think it will fade.
I have a 115 on mine with a 9.9 kicker. It doesnt exactly jump up on plane instantly, but it gets there. 13x19p 3 blade seems best for 2 people and a light load, but it can't handle a heavy load of 4 adults with that prop unless 2 ppl get in the cuddy. I had a 13.25x17p on it before and that seems ok for 3 adults, a cooler of ice etc for a full day of fishing, but I am in the middle of finding a weekend to try a 4 blade 19p, hoping that does the trick as well to get on plane faster and deal with 3-4 adults headed fishing with coolers and beer etc.
I think a 150 would be the best motor choice.
Things I like:
- Cuddy is a good size for kids and spare gear, and holds the potty bucket nicely.
- Lots of storage options for misc gear
- Nice size for a family of 4
- Fishes well with up to 3 adults.
- Freeboard is decent.
- Transom seems heavily built
- Fish storage under floor board
- Can be set up for additional fish storage under seat - depends on how you have it set up.
- Handles chop better than my old 17ft alum. lake boat.
- Decently nimble and easy enough to manage solo docking, loading, fishing etc.
- Trailers nicely behind an F150 (or Tundra in my case).
- The wife likes it
Things I dont like:
- Cuddy isnt big enough to sleep in properly - I'm 6ft an around 200lb. Can't stretch out. But that being said, I dont think you'll get a sleeping size cuddy in an 18ft boat.
- Fuel economy isnt as good as an similar length aluminum, but it's not terrible. 115 merc planes around 4300RPM for 21-22 knots with the 19 pitch and 2 people loaded for a day of fishing. It's not terrible but it's not a light boat for it's length.
- A 115 is the minimum power I'd consider. I'd say it's underpowered with a 115.
- Low speed wander when in the marina - it took me a year to understand why it was weaving left and right on its own. I'm told it's common on 18 footers - just adjust the trim tabs down and that reduces it a lot.
- It seems a lot more "tender" than other boats I've been on - it rolls a lot in the swell and chop when trolling. I guess that's a trade off with the deeper V hulls. Cut's chop well on plane.
- Floor scuppers to the bilge seem small, and get gunked up easily with blood and guts at the end of the day when spraying it all down, but it's a minor hassle than can easily be fixed. I just haven't bothered.
- Hull resonance at certain RPM with both the kicker and main engine, but again, I'm told that's common to most glass boats.
- Rear deck space can feel cramped if you have 2 guys back there trying to dispatch a halibut, but ok room for salmon fishing as long as 3+ people dont try to crowd the back. But decent room for a rod man and a net man to do their dance.
If I wasn't considering space for kids to read books and snack while we wait for a bite or a whale, and a space for a private bathroom/potty
bucket, I'd probably be happier with a 19-21ft aluminum 100% set up for fishing, but it's a good family boat and does well for fishing set up.
I dont have much experience with comparable rides like the Campion 552 or the Double Eagle 185.
All in all, I'd say it's a B+ for what I fish - Quatsino Sound, Telegraph and Hardy areas on nice days and afternoon winds up to 20knots. It does fine off shore if you're not stupid. Been to Lawn point and 5-6 miles off-shore on the WH salmon highway spots on nice days. Great boat for Grant Bay or Cape Sutil when wind conditions allow.
I have a 115 on mine with a 9.9 kicker. It doesnt exactly jump up on plane instantly, but it gets there. 13x19p 3 blade seems best for 2 people and a light load, but it can't handle a heavy load of 4 adults with that prop unless 2 ppl get in the cuddy. I had a 13.25x17p on it before and that seems ok for 3 adults, a cooler of ice etc for a full day of fishing, but I am in the middle of finding a weekend to try a 4 blade 19p, hoping that does the trick as well to get on plane faster and deal with 3-4 adults headed fishing with coolers and beer etc.
I think a 150 would be the best motor choice.
Things I like:
- Cuddy is a good size for kids and spare gear, and holds the potty bucket nicely.
- Lots of storage options for misc gear
- Nice size for a family of 4
- Fishes well with up to 3 adults.
- Freeboard is decent.
- Transom seems heavily built
- Fish storage under floor board
- Can be set up for additional fish storage under seat - depends on how you have it set up.
- Handles chop better than my old 17ft alum. lake boat.
- Decently nimble and easy enough to manage solo docking, loading, fishing etc.
- Trailers nicely behind an F150 (or Tundra in my case).
- The wife likes it
Things I dont like:
- Cuddy isnt big enough to sleep in properly - I'm 6ft an around 200lb. Can't stretch out. But that being said, I dont think you'll get a sleeping size cuddy in an 18ft boat.
- Fuel economy isnt as good as an similar length aluminum, but it's not terrible. 115 merc planes around 4300RPM for 21-22 knots with the 19 pitch and 2 people loaded for a day of fishing. It's not terrible but it's not a light boat for it's length.
- A 115 is the minimum power I'd consider. I'd say it's underpowered with a 115.
- Low speed wander when in the marina - it took me a year to understand why it was weaving left and right on its own. I'm told it's common on 18 footers - just adjust the trim tabs down and that reduces it a lot.
- It seems a lot more "tender" than other boats I've been on - it rolls a lot in the swell and chop when trolling. I guess that's a trade off with the deeper V hulls. Cut's chop well on plane.
- Floor scuppers to the bilge seem small, and get gunked up easily with blood and guts at the end of the day when spraying it all down, but it's a minor hassle than can easily be fixed. I just haven't bothered.
- Hull resonance at certain RPM with both the kicker and main engine, but again, I'm told that's common to most glass boats.
- Rear deck space can feel cramped if you have 2 guys back there trying to dispatch a halibut, but ok room for salmon fishing as long as 3+ people dont try to crowd the back. But decent room for a rod man and a net man to do their dance.
If I wasn't considering space for kids to read books and snack while we wait for a bite or a whale, and a space for a private bathroom/potty
bucket, I'd probably be happier with a 19-21ft aluminum 100% set up for fishing, but it's a good family boat and does well for fishing set up.
I dont have much experience with comparable rides like the Campion 552 or the Double Eagle 185.
All in all, I'd say it's a B+ for what I fish - Quatsino Sound, Telegraph and Hardy areas on nice days and afternoon winds up to 20knots. It does fine off shore if you're not stupid. Been to Lawn point and 5-6 miles off-shore on the WH salmon highway spots on nice days. Great boat for Grant Bay or Cape Sutil when wind conditions allow.
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
A 115 for that hull is really underpowered. I have the 185 and like it. 115 would be a compete slug.
I think it outperforms the double eagle 185 in the ride. The interior is also way nicer. Just something about design. It's like a pillow thru rough water.
I have a 150 for power with a full hull extension pod so my ride is way different might be biased.
The only thing I don't like on 182 is the splash well. It takes up way to much deckspace in my opinion.
I think it outperforms the double eagle 185 in the ride. The interior is also way nicer. Just something about design. It's like a pillow thru rough water.
I have a 150 for power with a full hull extension pod so my ride is way different might be biased.
The only thing I don't like on 182 is the splash well. It takes up way to much deckspace in my opinion.
Last edited:
brutus
Well-Known Member
If you go to 4 blade you need to drop to 15 pitch, going 4 -19 ain’t going to help you whatsoever, I went from 18- 3 blade to 15-4 blade and it did what it was suppose to on an underpowered boat, better hole shot and good speed with heavier loadI've had one for a few years now. I like it, but despite the fact that it's probably the right size boat for me, I still have a mild case of 2 foot-itis, but I think it will fade.
I have a 115 on mine with a 9.9 kicker. It doesnt exactly jump up on plane instantly, but it gets there. 13x19p 3 blade seems best for 2 people and a light load, but it can't handle a heavy load of 4 adults with that prop unless 2 ppl get in the cuddy. I had a 13.25x17p on it before and that seems ok for 3 adults, a cooler of ice etc for a full day of fishing, but I am in the middle of finding a weekend to try a 4 blade 19p, hoping that does the trick as well to get on plane faster and deal with 3-4 adults headed fishing with coolers and beer etc.
I think a 150 would be the best motor choice.
Things I like:
- Cuddy is a good size for kids and spare gear, and holds the potty bucket nicely.
- Lots of storage options for misc gear
- Nice size for a family of 4
- Fishes well with up to 3 adults.
- Freeboard is decent.
- Transom seems heavily built
- Fish storage under floor board
- Can be set up for additional fish storage under seat - depends on how you have it set up.
- Handles chop better than my old 17ft alum. lake boat.
- Decently nimble and easy enough to manage solo docking, loading, fishing etc.
- Trailers nicely behind an F150 (or Tundra in my case).
- The wife likes it
Things I dont like:
- Cuddy isnt big enough to sleep in properly - I'm 6ft an around 200lb. Can't stretch out. But that being said, I dont think you'll get a sleeping size cuddy in an 18ft boat.
- Fuel economy isnt as good as an similar length aluminum, but it's not terrible. 115 merc planes around 4300RPM for 21-22 knots with the 19 pitch and 2 people loaded for a day of fishing. It's not terrible but it's not a light boat for it's length.
- A 115 is the minimum power I'd consider. I'd say it's underpowered with a 115.
- Low speed wander when in the marina - it took me a year to understand why it was weaving left and right on its own. I'm told it's common on 18 footers - just adjust the trim tabs down and that reduces it a lot.
- It seems a lot more "tender" than other boats I've been on - it rolls a lot in the swell and chop when trolling. I guess that's a trade off with the deeper V hulls. Cut's chop well on plane.
- Floor scuppers to the bilge seem small, and get gunked up easily with blood and guts at the end of the day when spraying it all down, but it's a minor hassle than can easily be fixed. I just haven't bothered.
- Hull resonance at certain RPM with both the kicker and main engine, but again, I'm told that's common to most glass boats.
- Rear deck space can feel cramped if you have 2 guys back there trying to dispatch a halibut, but ok room for salmon fishing as long as 3+ people dont try to crowd the back. But decent room for a rod man and a net man to do their dance.
If I wasn't considering space for kids to read books and snack while we wait for a bite or a whale, and a space for a private bathroom/potty
bucket, I'd probably be happier with a 19-21ft aluminum 100% set up for fishing, but it's a good family boat and does well for fishing set up.
I dont have much experience with comparable rides like the Campion 552 or the Double Eagle 185.
All in all, I'd say it's a B+ for what I fish - Quatsino Sound, Telegraph and Hardy areas on nice days and afternoon winds up to 20knots. It does fine off shore if you're not stupid. Been to Lawn point and 5-6 miles off-shore on the WH salmon highway spots on nice days. Great boat for Grant Bay or Cape Sutil when wind conditions allow.
Macdeep
Active Member
Sounds good, ya I'll definitely be playing with props again this summer.
Previous owner said he preferred a 15 or 16 pitch 3 blade. I just dont want to have to be running at 5000 rpm to stay on step, but perhaps thats the curse of being under powered.
brutus
Well-Known Member
That’s why a 4 blade will help you, lower rpm, can plane at a lower speed , the only thing you will loose is top end speed, all I lost with mine was 4 mph at wot. 25 ft wellcraft with a 225 Honda, even now with the new to me Suzuky 300 I am thinking of going 4 blade, offshore in big seas, easier to jump up and go , that’s why all the guides run twin 300 lol
Macdeep
Active Member
Roger -will keep my eye open for another 4 blade, and my spare 16p 3 blades on the boat.
SpringVelocity
Crew Member
I would put that SE300 fin on your boat first before you go off and buy that. It will fix your issue, and it's non drilling. Easy to install. I had same issue with my 3.0L. Your a bit under powered but it will definitely make large difference.
The malibu tends to be a bit heavy at stern as well. I usually keep my halibut/anchor and weights etc up front in cuddy in that space under cushions center.
Macdeep
Active Member
Yup, definitely. I've already taken care of all that - installed the SE300 when I bought it, moved all the lead, rope, chain, tools and spare prop to the bow hatches.
Had a tach issue last year that was holding back my prop analysis. Will getter fine tuned this year. Fish haven't seemed to care either way
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