Unfortunately the Mean Machine 18 is a real disappointment.
Where should I start?
For the price there is much better out there.
Bad instruction manual that really tells you nothing.
Super-cheap radio system, a lot worse than the JR Python.
Odd sized flex cable (must be metric) and the propshaft isn't threaded, you just slip on a piece of fuel line to keep the prop on.
Terrible engine.
It does have it's upsides though. Nicely laid-up hull. Decent hardware. Great radio box. The tuned pipe is very nice.
The boat just can't compete with those that are $100.00 less.

The sad thing is that I saw the protoypes and thought that it was going to be the next "must have" boat in my fleet.