Cessna 185 Aircraft (Skywagon)
68 used Cessna 185 aircraft for sale · 6-seat · $150K – $899K · updated 28 min ago
About the Cessna 185
The Cessna 185 Skywagon is the bigger, more-powerful taildragger Skywagon — produced 1961-1985 with a 300 hp Continental IO-520 and six seats. Effectively a 180 with more engine, the 185 is the heavyweight bush taildragger — favoured for serious backcountry, float and utility operations where the 180 runs out of useful load. Cruise around 145 knots; useful load comfortable for six.
Cessna 185 Specifications
Model specThe Cessna 185 is a 6-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 145 kt (269 km/h), a range of 720 nm (1,333 km), and a useful load of 1,440 lbs (653 kg).
68 Cessna 185 For Sale
Browse all 68 listings →There are currently 68 used Cessna 185 for sale, ranging from $150,000 to $899,500, with a median asking price of $275,000.
Cessna 185 Variants
| Variant | Years | Seats | Cruise | Range | Useful load | Price range | Best for | Listings for sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 185F | 1973–1985 | 6 | 145 kts (269 km/h) | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) | $190K – $450K | A late Skywagon — a powerful six-seat taildragger for serious bush and float work that holds its value strongly. | 14 |
| A185E | 1971–1985 | 6 | 145 kts (269 km/h) | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) | $265K – $350K | An early Skywagon taildragger — a powerful six-seat bush and float single that holds its value strongly. | 2 |
| A185F | 1973–1985 | 6 | 145 kts (269 km/h) | 720 nm (1,333 km) | 1,440 lbs (653 kg) | $190K – $899K | The most numerous late Skywagon — a six-seat taildragger for serious bush and float work that holds its value strongly. | 26 |
Compare Cessna 185
See how the Cessna 185 stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.
Cessna 185 Price & Cost
How much does a Cessna 185 cost? Used 185 prices: $150K – $899K, average $296K (median $275K), across 56 priced of 68 active listings.
Based on 25 priced listings.
Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.
Buying a Used Cessna 185
Every Cessna 185 faces a mandatory 1,700-hour overhaul, so the single biggest factor in used price is how much time remains before that overhaul is due — a fresh-overhaul airframe can be worth a large share of the $35,000 overhaul cost more than one approaching its limit.
What to check before buying
- Time to overhaul — hours and years remaining to the 1,700-hour limit; this dominates resale value more than total time.
- Logbook completeness — continuous, gap-free maintenance records; missing logs cut value and complicate financing.
- Damage history — any prior accident, hard landing or blade strike; cross-check the registration against accident databases.
- Avionics — a glass panel vs steam gauges materially changes price.
- Pre-buy inspection — always commission an independent inspection by a type-experienced mechanic before money changes hands.
Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 185
What is the Cessna 185 Skywagon?
What is the difference between the Cessna 180 and 185?
How much does a Cessna 185 Skywagon cost?
What engine does the Cessna 185 use?
Can the Cessna 185 fly on floats?
How many seats does a Cessna 185 have?
Why do Cessna 185s hold their value so well?
Is the Cessna 185 still in production?
Cessna 185 Inventory by Country
| United States | 47 |
| Canada | 14 |
| South Africa | 2 |
| Norway | 1 |
| Finland | 1 |
| Switzerland | 1 |
Cessna 185 Inventory by State
| Oregon | 4 |
| Texas | 4 |
| Alaska | 3 |
| Idaho | 2 |
| Louisiana | 2 |
| Oklahoma | 2 |
| Washington | 2 |
| Arizona | 2 |
| Florida | 2 |
Cessna 185 by Price
| Under $200k | 7 |
| Under $300k | 33 |
| Under $500k | 55 |
Recently Sold Cessna 185
| 1978 185 | $495,000 |
| 1972 185E | $260,479 |
| 1973 185 | $299,000 |
| 1980 A185F | $269,000 |
Cessna 185 Safety Record
Across all 185 variants, 476 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1982–2025. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.
Most Recent Events
| Date | Location | Severity | Probable Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2025 | Phoenix, AZ | Incident | The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a left crosswind. |
| Oct 09, 2025 | Rafaela, OF | Incident | — |
| Sep 27, 2025 | Ilwaco, WA | Incident | The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. |
| Apr 07, 2025 | Wausau, WI | Incident | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing in shifting wind conditions. |
| Jun 24, 2024 | Anchorage, AK | Incident | The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting crosswind conditions. |
NTSB records 1982–2025. Includes all Cessna 185 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.