My first boat

[pdxsearay]

2005 Sea Ray 185 Sport with a 4.3 Merc.

Portland, OR.

I don’t come from a boating family and have almost no experience besides the annual “rent one for a day”. But my wife and I love it as do both of our little boys so we decided to take the plunge.

The boat I purchased is in beautiful shape, perfectly maintained and has only 95 original engine hours. (!) Has always been in freshwater and will remain so.

you will be happy to know that I’ve got one successful trailering from the water in my boat under my belt , and also one time trying to back into my driveway that took 20 minutes & 5 tries. I guess I should stick to forward movements! My neighbors were amused but understood. I figure it’s part of earning your stripes as a boat owner.

In any event , I’m psyched to finally have pulled the trigger. I’ve been lurking on this site for a few weeks. Thanks for the past knowledge you’ve unknowingly bestowed upon me , and thanks in advance for the future knowledge you’ll almost assuredly provide.

Cheers everyone.

Matt

 

[Chris-380]

Congrats and welcome to club sea ray. We have all been there! I grew up boating, but my parents sold the boat when I was maybe 13 when they divorced.

my first boat was buying that boat, and for the next 20 years or so, we owned 17-19’ run about, no better boat imo to raise a family on.

ask any questions you have here, some smart boaters that are willing to advise you.

good luck, it’s an awesome adventure

 

[Stee6043]

Welcome! Now share some pics! Video of the 20 minute backing up experience would be enjoyable as well. Like Chris said...we've all been there.

I chuckled the other day watching a friend back his boat up in a tight parking lot. We're all SPOILED these days with all the gadgets and cameras on our cars. Remember when you had to eyeball the hitch and wait for the "tap" before you knew you were close? Ha....I feel so old now.

Have a great summer, pdx!

 

[Golfman25]

Take a power squadron class or similar. It will help with the basics. https://www.usps.org/

When backing up, use the bottom of the steering wheel. The trailer will go the same way as your hand.

Good luck.

 

[El Capitan]

Welcome! Great first post. I did chuckle when I read the part about attempting to back into your driveway and your neighbors chuckling.
We’ve all been there!

nNow post pics of the new to you Sea Ray!

 

[JimG]

Congratulations and welcome to CSR!

 

[El Capitan]

One important pointer if you have kids.

Everyone out!

https://www.chronicleonline.com/new...cle_d00ba47a-a5aa-11ea-a4f2-cf406137f2a9.html

 

[pdxsearay]

Yeah, it didn’t happen without pics right? Here are a few:

Big fan of the sport trim & the snap on carpets. It Has a bimini but not a tower.

Thanks for the tips and advice. It will be an exciting adventure. My little guys are 7 and 4 and they were maybe more excited than I was. I am going to head to a big empty parking lot today and practice reversing the trailer.

Also, question. I’m assuming that blank spot in the middle of the dash is where the depth finder would go , had the original owner purchased that option. I’d like to get one. Would you all recommend keep it simple & getting a Hawkeye style one that mounts right in that circle? Or a larger mounted one to the side that also has some navigation? I know most of them are fishfinders; I won’t do much fishing - my family and I are going to use this boat to explore all the fantastic lakes and rivers that Oregon and Washington have to offer so I’m most interested in depth, nav and water temp. Any recommendations?

Also, I’m not a huge boat wrencher and would prefer not to have to drill into the boat or take big pieces apart so should I get professional installation?

Thank you!