I've just purchased a Sea Ray 176 Bow Rider and am learning what I can about the boat before taking it out on the water (a local lake). One thing I've noticed is that I can lift the port side bow rider cushion, but not the starboard side. I can slide my hand under the front and back of the starboard side cushion, but the center section seems to be held down firm. I have the owners manual and it indicates that both sides are for storage. Does anyone have a similar problem or is it something that the previous owner did? I can't lift the cushion enough to see what is holding it down, but something has it held down firmly.
Never had that boat but would be surprised if it didn’t come up. Something is probably interfering with it. See if you can remove the speaker and get enough access to see or get a camera down there.
There's often a piece of L-channel "block" used underneath to keep the cushion from inadvertently popping up. Your port side should have one... or it got ripped off because someone didn't know any better and just gorilla-handled it and pulled the bock off. If that's the case, you'd see two empy screw holes. To remove the stbd side... slightly lift the outboard edge of the cushion while at the same time sliding the cushion outboard. Once you slide it about an inch, you can lift it normally.
Lazy Daze, that makes a lot of sense, thanks. I'll give that I try when I go outside. I got the original owners manual along with the boat and it does not provide any explanation. Thanks again.
Owner's manuals are helpful, but they don't always spell out every little thing. Although I remember, many years ago, an uncle showing me his manual for his new car. It had manual windows and there was a whole page dedicated to how to wind the windows up and down.....
Dennis, hopefully your uncle's manual told which way was up and which was down with those windows. In today's world that would come after 30 pages of safety requirements and disclaimers. Thanks again for your information on the seat, it was exactly as you suggested. The Port side was either broken or cut off and the Starboard side slide back and up easily. Today is my first outing with this boat. I've owned I/O's in the past, but it was 30 yrs ago, so I'm going to be learning all over (and my memory hasn't improved with age!). Thankfully I have a nephew who boats and he's agreed to come out with me today to keep me from doing anything too unusual. Thanks Again.
Dennis, do you know of anyone who sells these L- channel blocks? I could make one out of wood, but would prefer to find a proper part. I've checked the internet but couldn't find one.
No, Stan, I don't. It may have been something that Sea Ray made in-house by shaving down a larger piece. Mcamaster Carr may have either HDPE or PVC blocks of the correct size that you could buy and shave down. Or... you could just get another block without the "hook" on it. Same thing - Macmaster Carr - or your dealer may have some in stock - they're probably about $3. Possibly your dealer has some hook-blocks, too. Or... just go without it
Dennis, I guess I'm attempting to be OCD on the boat, so I think I'll try to get a correct block or as close as I can. There are no dealers in my area, but I can probably find someone with a 3D printer who can duplicate the block from the Starboard side. It will obviously be a few dollars more, but what the heck, well worth the peace of mind. And again, thank you for your response. You've been extremely helpful and appreciated.
