Newbie looking at 2004 185 Sport 4.3l

Ron986

New Member
Mar 16, 2018
2
Boat Info
2004 185 Sport
Engines
4.3l Alpha 1
Looking at a 300 hr 2004 185 Sport 4.3l carburated Sea Ray owned by a friend who is meticulous in his maintenance ... oil/filter every year (25 hrs), leg every 100 hrs... and always stored boat indoors in a dry climate.

I'll be using it for water sports for the grandkids (tubing>knee boarding>wakeboard&ski) along with pleasure cruising on our 2 mile by 60 mile lake.

He has installed Stainless Steel 19 degree “High Five” (5 blade) ski prop and automatic trim tabs.

I will be inspecting the boat over Easter.... anything in particular about this model I should be aware of, or looking for? Is it enough boat for our lake?
 
Sounds like a big lake... IMO, you will be beat to death in an 18 foot boat on a lake that size.

Good luck and welcome to CSR!
 
The small SeaRay bowriders of this vintage are great small boats. Very little if any wood used in construction. The 4.3 V6 engine and Alpha I outdrive combination is about as simple and bulletproof as you can get. Only thing I would be looking at on a boat that age is 1. Outdrive bellows - if not already done you are due under any circumstances. 2. If it is used in salt water, need to know when the last time the exhaust manifolds/risers were inspected / replaced.

As far as size for your lake, that's somewhat up to the owner - these are small boats, but they ride and handle bigger than they are - but they are still small boats. I use mine on Lake Norman which is also a large lake, I really like my 185 it's been a great little boat, but I have started looking for something in the 25ft range. I already had my 185 before moving it to Lake Norman, kept it at our lake house on a different, smaller lake, so we were never "on the boat" for the whole day. These days I boat out of a dry stack marina and the 185 is fine for a few hours out on the lake, but not ideal for a long day on the water. So if you are looking to take the grandkids out for the whole day with no "home base" and no head, basically on the boat for the day, you might want to re-think the 185. Five more feet and a head makes a huge difference.
 
+1 on Bills coments.I have 03 185 and love it! It is a great boat for my local lakes when not too windy ,easy in and out of the water,easy to tow but can get a crowded when you throw in 6 people,skis,tubes,food and everyone's stuff
Usually just my wife and I and it's great for that.Throughout this site you will find the comment "buy your second boat first". a couple more feet would be nice.Probably came from factory with a 23 pitch prop,the
19 pitch you pull stumps. check max rpm's
at top speed ,that boat is probably 48 mph
at 4600-4800 rpm.Good luck
 
Thanks, all, I appreciate the experienced input! .... boat has been fresh water only ... I will be running out of the local marina, where I will have a berth, so we will be likely using boat for a few hours at a time ... would love a 23' c/w head (which is what my buddy is selling this boat for) ... budget doesn't reach that far, at this time.
 
Understand the budget thing.The 185 is an economical boat to operate.If you decide to ck it out,maybe take along a couple riders to get a good feel if it will meet your needs
Keep us posted !
 

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