OK, I'm hooked

[Dad2RMH2]

Man that sounds like one nice vessel.

Enjoy and welcome aboard!

[Harry]

Harry, I donated to the site but am not sure it synced with my user ID.

I tracked it down, and your all set.
Thank you for the support to our site, we hope you find our information, your new settings, and the extra CSO supporter forums helpful.

Good luck with your new rig.....

[cruzermann]

New to boating and new to the site. I have put in about 10 hours on the site since putting a downpayment on a 198 Elite. Based on the comments on the board, I'm changing the order to a 218 Elite. Thanks to all for the fantastic information. Here's my list to "trick out" the skiff...not sure how much of the list Chatlee can provide, but will start from there.

218 Elite (Black Hull)
Stryker T-Top
Swim Platform (2-step)
Lenco Trim Tabs (Dual Swith w/LED)
VHF Radio w/DSC
Stereo w/ 2 speakers (Boss Audio with IPOD enclosure)
Lowrance HDS 7
MK Riptide SF w/Autopilot
Blue Seas Add-a-Battery Switch/ACR
On-Board Charger
Replace the aluminum backflow valve w/brass
Install a quality fuel bulb

Looking to have the deal closed by mid March*fingerscrossed*...any input on "absolutes" that I have omitted would be appreciated. Harry, I donated to the site but am not sure it synced with my user ID.

Picking up the 218 Elite on Friday....plan to install the Stryker on Saturday and if lucky, in the water by Sunday....decided to go with the HDS8 vs. the HDS7 due to the substantial increase in screen size, but the other options are the same....thanks again to all on the board who have provided input directly and through the many submissions...there is no other location with a fraction of the information contained here at CSO. If anyone is ever around Little River Inlet, SC give me a call. Now the hard part starts...how do you drive these things...planning to take the NC and SC boaters test for a start...will be taking it slow from there.

[Whatever]

Congrats, Hope you enjoy it to the max...

[CFISHN]

Congratulations

Don't forget to take that camera when you go to pick it up !

[hclapp]

Cruzerman said he upgraded from the 198 "based on the comments on the board, I'm changing the order to a 218 Elite".

Anyone know where can I find that conversation??? I'm also looking at the 198 Elite and would really like to see this> > > >

[foursum]

Picking up the 218 Elite on Friday....plan to install the Stryker on Saturday and if lucky, in the water by Sunday....decided to go with the HDS8 vs. the HDS7 due to the substantial increase in screen size, but the other options are the same....thanks again to all on the board who have provided input directly and through the many submissions...there is no other location with a fraction of the information contained here at CSO. If anyone is ever around Little River Inlet, SC give me a call. Now the hard part starts...how do you drive these things...planning to take the NC and SC boaters test for a start...will be taking it slow from there.

WELCOME TO THE FORUM, BOATING, AND THE CS WORLD. You are very smart in learning from the site before your final purchase decision. I didn't learn about the site until after I purchased my 218 DLV. I love the boat but would have certainly done things differently if I had the advantage of the ideas from the very smart folks on the forum before buying.

Good luck and SAFE boating.

Foursum/Jimmy

[Harry]

Cruzerman said he upgraded from the 198 "based on the comments on the board, I'm changing the order to a 218 Elite".

Anyone know where can I find that conversation??? I'm also looking at the 198 Elite and would really like to see this> > > >

Click on our "search" tab. From the drop down window select "Advanced search" Type in the users name, in this case "Cruzerman" & in the "search keyword" box type in applicable words... EX: upgrade,218elite..etc (whatever you want to search for.)
Also you can select the forum you want to search to help narrow down your search if you like.

If no luck in the search,
You can go to our members list, find Cruzerman, look at his statistic and find all posts made by him.

[elevator]

Hello, Cruzerman I am somewhat new to this great site. juat reseived my CSO window stickers [ thanks Harry] I put in at the RT. 17 bridge and this Saturday Iam going to hit the little river offshore reef if the sea lits me.I will look for you in my travels. Good luck with your new skiff,Ilove my 218 dlv.

[cruzermann]

hclapp,
The feedback on the board was not one comment string that I can point to, but several comments across multiple subjects. The summary was that the extra length makes the boat seem much larger, particilarly the distance from the leaning post to the stern. The option to add the larger 150 (vs the 115) was also important to me because I usually have several onboard. I tested a 198 at Chatlee with the 115 and there is a significant difference in the 150 if the budget allows. The hydralic steering that Chatlee had on the 218 show special was nice.

My original concern with the 218 was additional difficulty in handling, beaching, docking, etc. The general consensus that I found from reading the comments here and talking to the guys at chatlee was there was minimal/no difference in the handling. I am far from an expert and the bulk of information that I selected the boat and add-ons was from this board and locations pointed to from this board. I can tell you after my first 10 hours running the new skiff that none of the info here steered me wrong.