Centre consoles tend to bring out fairly strong responses from boaters no matter where you go – people either love them or hate them, with little ground in the middle. After having enjoyed the opportunity to test McKee Craft’s Marathon 184CC, I’ve come to believe that boaters who aren’t fans of open boats simply haven’t had the time to try one for themselves.

Stepping aboard the 18-foot, four-inch Marathon, my initial reaction was surprise. This is a boat with more interior space than you would tend to expect. The centre console layout allows you to access every cubic inch of the boat’s abundant storage space, making this a highly practical cottage boat. The bow storage area is insulated and more than large enough to accommodate a mountain of fishing gear, the catch of the day, or all your weekend supplies. It is completely finished with no rough edges in evidence anywhere, providing a clean appearance and a solid sense of overall quality. The self-draining anchor locker sits in front of, and on top of, the large bow storage area.

The standard 72 quart swing-back cooler seat tucked behind the centre console easily accommodates two adults or three small children. A leaning post with four rocket launcher-style rod holders is available optionally, but as a cottage craft I prefer the convenience of the cooler seat with its integral, removable ice chest. I’ll leave the leaning post for the hard-core anglers. The cooler seat is very comfortable with a full back rest. A second  72 quart cooler seat is located across the front of the console, facing forward.

The recessed, stainless steel bow rail on our test boat ran from the bow all the way back to the center console, giving a tremendous sense of security when traversing rough water or when accessing storage. An optional T-Top was a nice touch, with its integrated stainless steel rocket launchers and overhead, latched storage compartment. If simply finding escape from the sun was my priority, I might instead opt for the less expensive Bimini top.
The centre console is very clean and uncluttered, yet fully equipped. Standard equipment includes a compass, tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge, power trim level gauge and oil pressure gauge. It also includes a pair of stainless steel beverage holders – another nice touch for boat in this price range.

The sides of the center console also offer practical storage space with a fully integrated fishing tackle drawer with plastic trays on the starboard side, and a second storage locker to port, where the battery is also located. Two more rod holders are integrated into the gunwales on each side of the boat just behind the center console for easy access. Other nice appointments included the LED cockpit lighting, and recessed cleats.

Moving to the back of the boat, there are two aerated, 44-quart, self-bailing live wells – one on each side – along with an outlet for a hose that operates off of the same pump. The live wells are lit by LEDs. Cleanup of this boat is a snap with a garden hose and scrub brush – the self-bailing cockpit allows water to simply run out the through the transom. This is something any cottage boater with kids who had had to dig sand out of carpeting can really appreciate.

The Marathon 184CC is rated to handle an outboard up to 175 horsepower. Our test ride came with a Mercury 135 horsepower Verado, which made a wonderful package. The Verado is was extremely quiet at idle, and tracked really well without a lot of correction at low speeds – handling was also good while docking. The steering was a little heavy but could be easily corrected with the optional hydraulic steering ($1,500). The Verado’s new ‘fly by wire’ throttle operated extremely well. Without cables, there is virtually no grinding when putting the motor into gear, and the throttle response is instantaneous. With two big guys and a half-tank of fuel on board, the boat planed out with ease. It took no more than three or four seconds to pop up on plane, without excessive nose lift.

The cruising sweet spot seemed to be in the 20 to 25 mph range, with the tach registering 3,500 to 3,800 rpm. When pushed, the boat rocketed to 45 mph fully trimmed out, against the wind in a two- to three-foot foot chop.
What surprised me is how smooth and tight the boat handled at these speeds and in those conditions. It tracked completely straight with no chine walk or flexing, no squeaks or rattles. This would be attributed to McKee Craft’s Pressure Bonding System (PBS) construction method that eliminates voids between the outer hull and inner liner, eliminating the need for traditional stringers. Hard turns were not a problem either – cranking the wheel completely over at 25 mph resulted in a slight cavitation, but no slide whatsoever and a reasonable lean.

McKee Craft’s Marathon 184CC is a well thought-out, beautifully built and extremely practical boat that handles everything from serious fishing pulling skiers to hauling supplies with equal aplomb.

– Brad Rome


2009 McKee Craft Marathon 184CC

LOA: 18’4”
Beam: 96”
Weight (approx. dry): 1,750 lbs.
Deadrise: 18 degrees
Passenger Capacity: 8
Fuel Capacity: 65 gal.
Maximum Power: 175 hp
Power (as reviewed): Mercury Verado 135 hp
Retail Price (base): n/a
Retail Price (as reviewed): $ $42,700
 
Review Boat Provided by

Woodland Marine
1008 Skeleton Lake Rd. #3
Utterson, ON
P0B 1M0
Tel.: (705) 769-2151
www.woodlandmarine.ca