Hello everyone

Jma57

New Member
May 14, 2022
5
Palm Coast. FL
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray 180 Sport
Engines
3.0L Alpha 1 MCM stern drive
I'm knew to power boats, sail boats since forever... Bought a 2004 Sea Ray 180 Sport BR about two months ago. It was running a little rough, there were some issues with the carb which have been fixed with local help. It has 320 hrs and it's in decent shape.
IMG_20220425_122202163.jpg

It came with cockpit and bow covers, bimini top and trailer in excellent shape. The motor is a 3.0 Mercruiser that's happy to run all day it seems, at 2.5K RPM. There a couple of other small issues: erratic fuel gauge and the water temp sensor looks to be reading high. I visited this forum numerous times before the purchase and will continue to do so, to learn all I can about these boats. It has been a lot of fun, family and friends are always ready to go out.
 

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Thank you!
I had tapped the gauge but no go. Looked under the dash, one of the wires was loose, touched one the terminals with it and the needle went to full, touched another and the ignition fuse shorted out...I'll figure it out, need a little time.
Sailboats, nothing special. In chronological under going way back: Vaurien, Snipe, Star, Hobie, last one was a WWP 15.
 
I remember a recent post about fixing a fuel gauge. And the gauge going to full indicated something. Don’t remember.
Send a PM to Bill Curtis. I think he is good with that stuff.
 
Welcome, I have had a couple of boats years ago with the 3.0. Many years of problem free use, enjoy
 
I'm knew to power boats, sail boats since forever... Bought a 2004 Sea Ray 180 Sport BR about two months ago. It was running a little rough, there were some issues with the carb which have been fixed with local help. It has 320 hrs and it's in decent shape.
View attachment 128658
It came with cockpit and bow covers, bimini top and trailer in excellent shape. The motor is a 3.0 Mercruiser that's happy to run all day it seems, at 2.5K RPM. There a couple of other small issues: erratic fuel gauge and the water temp sensor looks to be reading high. I visited this forum numerous times before the purchase and will continue to do so, to learn all I can about these boats. It has been a lot of fun, family and friends are always ready to go out.

Welcome and congrats! Great boat... I bought a used 2005 180 Sport for the kids when they were younger and they loved it.

I didn't have any issues with the fuel gauge, or pump sensor but did end up having to pull the engine to change the cracked plastic timing chain cover, which I found out was a common problem with that engine due to a design flaw that Mercury never recalled, or covered. The engine has to be pulled because the oil pan has to be dropped to change the cover and there is no room to do. Hopefully you won't have to ever deal with that issue. Good luck.
 
Welcome to CSR. Always nice to see a boater who left the dark side to become a power boater. It looks like you picked a nice, clean boat to start with. Good job. Now, how about posting some pics of your family using it.

Again, welcome!
 
Thank you Rusty, I checked the temp at the sensor with a temp gun, it read 25-30 degrees lower than shown on the gauge. I'll replaced the sensor later today, just got it, and will follow-up.
 
Welcome to CSR. Always nice to see a boater who left the dark side to become a power boater. It looks like you picked a nice, clean boat to start with. Good job. Now, how about posting some pics of your family using it.

Again, welcome!
Yes Sir, I'll be posting those soon.
 
Update,
I replaced both the fuel sender and the gauge. They're now working as they should, got both from Amazon. Also replaced the water temp sensor. Water temp gauge read ~160 after 10 minutes on the muffs, we'll see what it shows next time out on the water.
 
I bought a similar boat a few years ago and really enjoyed her. Since it was a second/third boat in the line up though, I quickly tired of the hassel of taking it to and from the marina on weekends so we found a new loving home for her. I often do miss having her though, perfect boat for the odd sunset cruise or sprint to lunch.
Cheers
 

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