1977 Cessna 185F for sale

1977 Cessna 185F

Single Engine Piston

FOR SALE
$349,000Fair Price
Location Marquette
Total Time 3,580 hrs
Engine SMOH 375 hrs
Seats 6
Serial # 18503472
Reg # N1225Q
Engine CONTINENTAL IO-520-D
Cruise 145 kts (269 km/h)
ICAO Type C185
✓ Clean NTSB

Aircraft Details

Seller reported

Avionics & Equipment

IFR
Comms equipment: Garmin GMA 345 Aviation Audio Panel with Bluetooth Garmin GTX 345 ADS-B Out and In Transponder

Garmin Flight Stream 510 Engine management: Navigation equipment: Garmin GTN 750 GPS/NAV/COMM/MFD

Garmin GI 275 AHRS AI/ADI Garmin GI 275 AHRS HSI King KX155 NAV/COM KI209 VOR/LOC/GS S-Tec System 50 autopilot JPI EDM 930 Primary Engine Display CiES Fuel Level Senders

Reiff SL6 Engine Preheat System Additional equipment: Garmin GSB 15 USB charger pilot/copilot

Description

Wonderful turn-key low-time Amphibian with many upgrades and improvements, with nothing needed for a reliable, high-performance, comfortable and IFR-ready platform. Recent new interior, Garmin avionics and paint. Only selling due to loss of cabin lake level.

Description and equipment details provided by the seller. AeroGurus does not verify seller-provided information.

Price Comparison 1 active offer

Source Price Action
Stuart Sarasin
aircraftforsale.com
$349,000

Estimate Monthly Payment

Cessna 185F loan calculator

AeroGurus

AeroGurus Data & Analysis

Independent data from FAA, NTSB, and market analysis

About This Cessna 185F

This 1977 Cessna 185F (N1225Q) is a 6-seat single engine piston with 3,580 hours on the airframe. There are currently 18 185F aircraft listed for sale with asking prices ranging from $190,000 to $450,000. This aircraft is priced above the market average at $349,000.

The 185F cruises at 145 kts (269 km/h) with a range of 720 nm (1,333 km) — ideal for short hops and local flights. Service ceiling of 17,150 ft allows operation above most weather.

Operating costs: Fuel burn is 15.5 GPH (59 L/h), which at current 100LL avgas prices (~$6.20/gal) means approximately $96/hr in fuel alone. Total variable cost including maintenance reserves is approximately $175/hr. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, crew, annual inspection) average $22,000. With 3,580 hours on the airframe, this aircraft has exceeded TBO (2,000 hrs) — verify engine status and overhaul reserve.

NTSB records show 0 incidents for this airframe — a clean safety record. Mechanics have filed 10 service difficulty reports for this type — common maintenance items to discuss during pre-buy.

Pre-Purchase Checklist

Safety record: 0 NTSB incidents
Airframe: 3,580 hours — verify engine time vs TBO (2,000 hrs)
Budget $232 for pre-purchase inspection

Cessna 185F — Model Specs

Model specification

Standard specs for this model. Actual aircraft may differ.

Seats
6
Cruise Speed
145 kts (269 km/h)
Max Speed
152 kts (282 km/h)
Range
720 nm (1,333 km)
Ceiling
17,150 ft (5,227 m)
Max Weight
3,350 lbs (1,520 kg)
Useful Load
1,440 lbs (653 kg)
Horsepower
300 HP
Fuel Capacity
74 gal (280 L)
Fuel Burn
15.5 GPH (59 L/h)
TBO
2,000 hrs

Estimated Cost of Ownership

AeroGurus estimate

CESSNA 185F

Fuel Burn
15.5 GPH
~$101/hr
Variable Cost
$175/hr
fuel + mx + reserves
Annual Fixed
$22,000/yr
hangar + insurance + annual
Engine Overhaul
$35,000
every 2,000 hrs

AeroGurus estimates based on industry averages for the CESSNA 185F. Actual costs vary by location, usage, maintenance history, and configuration. Not a financial quote.

Ownership & Registration

FAA registration data pending for N1225Q.

Location & Ownership

FAA records

Aircraft Location

Marquette

Seller reported

Title Status

No FAA title records

Available for US-registered aircraft only

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry, FAA Civil Aviation Registry (DocIndex). Title data may be delayed. Always verify with an aviation attorney before purchase.

Safety Record

NTSB safety data coming soon.

We'll check N1225Q against the NTSB accident database.

Service Difficulty Reports — Cessna 185F

SDRs are reports filed by mechanics about problems found during maintenance. 10 recent reports for this aircraft type.

Landing Gear CRACKED
2025-08-01

UPON INSPECTION AND CLEANING OF THE ABI 3413-01K TAIL WHEEL FORK ASSY, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED. PHOTOS UPON REQUEST.

Power Plant BROKEN
2024-10-03

MOUNTED IN THE RT FRONT POSITION, FOUND BROKEN DURING OIL CHANGE.

Exhaust CRACKED
2021-09-26

INSTALLED NEW ACORN WELDING LTD. EXHAUST STACKS AND MUFFLER ON FACTORY NEW IO-550D ENGINE. BOTH EXHAUST STACKS CRACKED WITHIN 60 HOURS; REPLACED BOTH STACKS WITH NEW ACORN STACKS; ONE OF THE NEW STACKS CRACKED (1" HOLE) WITHIN 30 HOURS. REMOVED FRO...

Landing Gear BROKEN
2021-09-08

WHILE EXECUTING A WHEEL LANDING ON RWY 29 AT AWO, UPON TOUCH DOWN THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A GENTLE DRIFT TO THE RIGHT WHICH COULD NOT BE CORRECTED WITH LEFT BRAKE OR LEFT RUDDER. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO TURN TO THE RIGHT, EXITED THE RUNWAY ONTO THE GRAS...

Wings CORRODED
2020-11-15

THE AIRCRAFT CABIN HEADLINER WAS REMOVED FOR MAINTENANCE. AFTER REMOVAL, SEVERE INTERGRANULAR CORROSION WAS FOUND ON THE CARRY THROUGH SPAR. THIS RENDERED THE SPAR UNAIRWORTHY AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED ...

Fuselage CRACKED
2020-07-31

CRACKS WERE DISCOVERED IN BOTH LH AND RH TAILWHEEL STEERING BELLCRANK BRACKETS DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION. PN-0712039-1. THESE BRACKETS HOLD THE BELLCRANK THAT COMBINES THE INPUT FOR AIR RUDDER AND TAIL WHEEL STEERING. CRACKS ORIGINATED IN BOTH BRACKE...

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Reciprocating Engine DAMAGED
2016-12-08

THE SURFACE OF THE LIFTER THAT CONTACT THE CAMSHAFT ARE SPALLED AND CORRODED. REPLACED THE LIFTERS.

Source: FAA Service Difficulty Reporting System. Shows maintenance issues reported by mechanics for this aircraft type.

AeroGurus Market Estimate AME

$325,000
Range: $249,000 — $357,500
Confidence: 90%
vs. Market
+7%
Above Market

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Prices and listings updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data
Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision. Actual transaction prices may differ from asking prices.