New member! What do you guys think of my build?

Fishfinder, chartplotter, GPS, speedometer, water temperature, bottom structure.

I've owned a boat for 53 years and its just unimaginable how awsome the technology has advanced since I had my first green box Lowrance back in 1968.

To me, a digital number gauge is about worthless. If money was a concern I would buy an $89 Humminbird. It shows water depth as well, but you also get a picture, water temp, etc. Once again, we all have our own likes.

Nah, I don't need all that. This boat will be on one lake or two (Fort Loudoun and Tellico Lakes) and like I said I know all of them like the back of my hand. But I'm glad you enjoy yours.

Conversely, I'm sure there are a few things I did that you wouldn't have done. If I could only have one extra on that boat it would have been the upgrade to the 250 Merc. Even if it were just a plain Jane white boat with literally no other options. The sound system upgrade and LED accent lighting were a must, too.
 
I wanted an inboard motor, but one thing I will miss about Outboards is you can just kill it and start it up to your heart's desire and not have to run any blowers. If you cut an outboard engine off you're stuck there for at least 5 minutes.
 
Now you’ll need to find some matching floaties! :) You’ll also have to plan a naming ceremony. We had some custom Koozies made for our boat with the Sea Ray logo on on side and the boat name on the other. It’ll never end :D
 
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Now you’ll need to find some matching floaties! :) You’ll also have to plan a naming ceremony. We had some custom Koozies made for our boat with the Sea Ray logo on on side and the boat name on the other. It’ll never end :D

:D LOL the koozies I have are from a top Knoxville DUI lawyer's office my friend gave me. I like noodles for floating, but yes it will be a fun Walmart trip getting accessories and blow up floats. Marine stores are the biggest rip off known to man.
 
We have these Gail Force Saddles along with a floating line to clip the caribeener when we need to climb aboard and they don't float away. They're small enough to stow. The saddles are little pricey, but everyone seems to fight over them because they work well. We also have the cooler float and longer mat.
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I'll take your bet on racing me with my 4.5 Merc 250 versus the OB version. I/O is more maintenance but I like it better, an outboard hanging off the back of a lake Sea Ray Boat just doesn't look right, no offense. And, uh, more cylinders are better. More power is better. The Merc engine weighs 752lbs-- it's a tank.
Cylinders certainly factor into the mix. But displacement is the key. Surprisingly enough, the individual cylinder displacement for my OB and your I/O are exactly the same.

The differences between OBs and I/Os are more than even those considerations. Your I/O heavy weight is like adding 2 extra passengers in my boat. But more importantly, your I/O is mounted way low below the keel. My OB is mounted 3 notches up, so the AV plate is just skimming the surface of the water. A huge difference in the drag of the lower unit.

Mercury Marine has tons of published data. A little R&D provides an awesome comparison.

My guess is that comparing the 2, our top speeds will be almost exactly the same. Where the OB shines is that the cruising speed will be about 3 mph faster and the fuel economy will be about 15% better.

SeaRays std. prop selections are mediocre. My addition of a $650 Enertia is what would blow your doors off.....LOL. I reduced my prop slip to 8% and reduced my fuel usage so that i don't have to fill up after every outing.

The Engineer in me makes me collect tons of data so that if I make mods I can calculate the results. Out on the sandbar I simply drink beer in the quiet serene cove. At home on rainy days I add to my spreadsheets.

Obviously, a head-to-head comparison won't be possible. But when you get her broken in, fill up the gas tank, add 2 passengers and pound the throttle. Publish your data. Its all fun....

In my area, on Millionaire's row, the boats on the Millennials docks are all OBs. The cool factor is having multiples hanging off the transom.
 
Cylinders certainly factor into the mix. But displacement is the key. Surprisingly enough, the individual cylinder displacement for my OB and your I/O are exactly the same.

So you have 4.5 Liters of displacement from a 4 cylinder?

The differences between OBs and I/Os are more than even those considerations. Your I/O heavy weight is like adding 2 extra passengers in my boat. But more importantly, your I/O is mounted way low below the keel. My OB is mounted 3 notches up, so the AV plate is just skimming the surface of the water. A huge difference in the drag of the lower unit.

Sure, valid points. But I had someone with a SR210 or SR230 say the 250hp Merc makes those boats fast. 190 weighs much, much less than those. I don't doubt your outboard performs but I have 125 more horsepower than you, and probably a good percentage more torque than you. I don't think you'll plane quicker than me.



My guess is that comparing the 2, our top speeds will be almost exactly the same. Where the OB shines is that the cruising speed will be about 3 mph faster and the fuel economy will be about 15% better.

The Engineer in me makes me collect tons of data so that if I make mods I can calculate the results. Out on the sandbar I simply drink beer in the quiet serene cove. At home on rainy days I add to my spreadsheets.

Sounds like you enjoy your boat which is awesome and I can't wait to get mine. I'm confident it's going to be a beast. These SR190s used to come with just 135 horsepower inboard.

Obviously, a head-to-head comparison won't be possible. But when you get her broken in, fill up the gas tank, add 2 passengers and pound the throttle. Publish your data. Its all fun....

Believe me I will, lol. I'm not NOT a fan of outboards, like I said I had a Yamaha 130 2 stroke which is very, very highly regarded. The problem with the boat was the fuel delivery system, it was awful. But when that 130 ran right it was a beast, unbreakable.

In my area, on Millionaire's row, the boats on the Millennials docks are all OBs. The cool factor is having multiples hanging off the transom.

Are you in salt or fresh water (Your location just says NY)? Salt water I would want an outboard(s) because you can raise them out of the salt water when not in use and easily flush them out with water from a hose. That plus much easier to service.

Check out this link....

These are fun, almost soothing to watch. Miami...you will see MAJOR ocean rigs with as many as six outboards on them. The only boats without them are the actual yachts with huge cabins where it wouldn't work. In salt water, I would choose the OB. But at the same time, I probably would look for something else than a Sea Ray, perhaps another, larger CC if it was a Florida ocean boat, like my last one.

This new SR of mine is a "chill boat".
 
So you have 4.5 Liters of displacement from a 4 cylinder?
I don't think you'll plane quicker than me.
.
I said "cylinder displacement". In other words, the pistons are exactly the same. You need the extra 2 to counteract all that extra weight, plus all the drag of the lower I/O unit.

One of the advantages of the SPX hull is instant planing, with little to no bow rise, regardless of engine type. With my vented Enertia prop and your old fashioned aluminum prop, there will be no comparison.

My son had a 4.5 and traded it in for a 8.2 V8 on a bigger hull. Both ran good, but the vibration and noise was incentive enough to chose an OB hanging way back out there.

One last comment is that I believe all new Mercruiser I/Os are equipped with a catalytic converter, not needed with the OBs. Cost, maintenance issues and more choking of performance are yet another incentive for the OB.

Regardless, all just fun banter. If you are as happy with yours as I am with mine, you will be ecstatic. Just trying to inform. Sounds like your order is static.

When we ordered ours, we settled on the discounted price and options and I cut a check for the down payment. The dealer (the Owner) left the room and when he came back he was with the Account Manager and the Business Manager. One had a receipt for the payment and the other a copy of the approved build receipt. We got her 3 months later to the day.
 
I said "cylinder displacement". In other words, the pistons are exactly the same. You need the extra 2 to counteract all that extra weight, plus all the drag of the lower I/O unit.

One of the advantages of the SPX hull is instant planing, with little to no bow rise, regardless of engine type. With my vented Enertia prop and your old fashioned aluminum prop, there will be no comparison.

Well, my friend....I had to look twice to make sure but per Sea Ray spec your boat actually weighs MORE than mine. 2675 lbs for mine with 4.5 Merc, versus 2724 for yours with the OB. Check for yourself. I'd post pics but I'm on my laptop it's a PITA. Sorry buddy, you're gonna get smoked by me. I have way more power, torque, and displacement, and two more cylinders. My old 130 outboard was against a 2k lb boat and it got out of the hole decent enough but wouldn't win any speed races. What are you running, a 150? Keep in mind mine was a 2 stroke which were torquier than 4 stroke.

My son had a 4.5 and traded it in for a 8.2 V8 on a bigger hull. Both ran good, but the vibration and noise was incentive enough to chose an OB hanging way back out there.

Yes, you and I are different. Your son wanted an OB over an 8.2 Liter V8??? I don't think this Merc 4.5 will be uncouth at all. 4 cylinder OB moans aren't really pleasing, I don't really think I'm missing out on much.

One last comment is that I believe all new Mercruiser I/Os are equipped with a catalytic converter, not needed with the OBs. Cost, maintenance issues and more choking of performance are yet another incentive for the OB.

Agree there are advantages to OB, never said otherwise. But inboard I want way more on a fresh water lake boat.

Regardless, all just fun banter. If you are as happy with yours as I am with mine, you will be ecstatic. Just trying to inform. Sounds like your order is static.

For sure! Lol too bad we can't race.

When we ordered ours, we settled on the discounted price and options and I cut a check for the down payment. The dealer (the Owner) left the room and when he came back he was with the Account Manager and the Business Manager. One had a receipt for the payment and the other a copy of the approved build receipt. We got her 3 months later to the day.

Yep. They gave me about a $4000 discount. I paid 10% deposit. Pretty sure it's in the system; he's having to use the computer to add the options I decided on after paying the down payment. I could only wish it would be three months, it'll be spring hopefully...maybe summer.
 
About the catalytic converters, that sucks but it looks like Merc has been doing it since 2010. It is what it is. I have full confidence in this motor. The boat also comes with a 5 year warranty, bow to stern.
 
Sorry buddy, you're gonna get smoked by me.

For sure! Lol too bad we can't race.
I don't know why I would care. I didn't buy the boat to race. I'll leave that up to the Millennials with the Gofasts that just want to show off.

I bought the boat to get rid of the high maintenance of the I/Os that I had been running for 35 years. Now on our 3rd season we are delighted with the performance of the new rig. In one of the first reviews of the 150, the writer commented that this new engine had the performance of a 2-stroke.

Wherever we go, people come up and comment about how nice the boat looks. It looks like a $60k boat, but we only paid $42k.

Good luck with your new ride. Hope its everything you expected.
 
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I don't know why I would care. I didn't buy the boat to race. I'll leave that up to the Millennials with the Gofasts that just want to show off.

I bought the boat to get rid of the high maintenance of the I/Os that I had been running for 35 years. Now on our 3rd season we are delighted with the performance of the new rig. In one of the first reviews of the 150, the writer commented that this new engine had the performance of a 2-stroke.

Wherever we go, people come up and comment about how nice the boat looks. It looks like a $60k boat, but we only paid $42k.

Good luck with your new ride. Hope its everything you expected.

Yeah but you started it?

We also went with the Outboard model. After 35 years with I/O's I wasn't going with that maintenance nightmare again. I use to spend 3 hours winterizing, now its just 20 minutes. Plus, I'll put my 150 up against your I/O and day. 50 mph and a whiplash start ain't too shabby. Plus, the lack of vibration and smoothness compared to a V6 is an awesome improvement.

In any case I'm not here to argue or have **** measuring contests. But I'll take your bet. Your boat weighs more and I have way more power.

I just want us all to enjoy our nice boats, lol.
 


Yeah but you started it?



In any case I'm not here to argue or have **** measuring contests. But I'll take your bet. Your boat weighs more and I have way more power.

I just want us all to enjoy our nice boats, lol.[/QUOTE]
My perception of your original post was that you were asking for opinions. It seemed like your mind wasn't completely made up. Subsequent posts indicated that you went back and forth about a capt. seat, color, etc. Sounds like your changes were made before your dealer actually put the order in the computer.

My responses were merely to provide MY opinion, based on what MY wife liked and why we bought what we did. I often said its just an opinion.

It matters nothing to me what our comparison turns out to be. My rig exceeds my expectations. But just for grins and giggles, I'll post my data ahead of time. You can make your own comparison. I must caution you that I made mods to improve performance, some of which you can't do with an I/O. All data is with 2 people aboard, a full gas tank, fresh water, 80 deg air and 75 deg water, and an average of 2 runs, upstream and downstream. Data is from VesselView.

WOT - 50.6 mph at 5700 rpm
Cruise speed - 24 mph at 3000 rpm
WOT prop slip - 8%
Max fuel economy - 5.9 mpg at 3000 rpm
WOT fuel economy - 3.4 mpg
Bow rise on hole shot - almost none
Hole shot - ~ 3 seconds to plane
~ 7 seconds to 30 mph

No need for further discussion. I'll anxiously await your data next year.
 
Mrx, I love love love the haulover vids! I could watch em for hours lol! And congrats on that new boat, you have to be stoked:)
 
Enjoying the playful banter….I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around 60K for a 19 foot SR. That’s a lot of Peso’s! Crazy times indeed. Good luck Walt.
 
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My perception of your original post was that you were asking for opinions. It seemed like your mind wasn't completely made up. Subsequent posts indicated that you went back and forth about a capt. seat, color, etc. Sounds like your changes were made before your dealer actually put the order in the computer.

I went back and asked about the upholstery thanks to you, and was told they don't order any 190s without that (or stainless steel package), so I should be good.

My responses were merely to provide MY opinion, based on what MY wife liked and why we bought what we did. I often said its just an opinion
.

I know, but you were like "I'll beat you with my OB any day..." and sounds like we are both alpha male, haha.

It matters nothing to me what our comparison turns out to be.

I know, but I'll post my data, too. The boat comes standard with the Vessel View which I lovvvve, and another reason I'm glad I didn't spend money on digital gauges.

WOT - 50.6 mph at 5700 rpm
Cruise speed - 24 mph at 3000 rpm
WOT prop slip - 8%
Max fuel economy - 5.9 mpg at 3000 rpm
WOT fuel economy - 3.4 mpg
Bow rise on hole shot - almost none
Hole shot - ~ 3 seconds to plane
~ 7 seconds to 30 mph

No need for further discussion. I'll anxiously await your data next year.

You'll have it. It's just physics to me, your boat with significantly less power and 4 cylinder weighs more against my lighter boat with a 4.5L V6 with 250hp.

Enjoying the playful banter….I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around 60K for a 19 foot SR. That’s a lot of Peso’s! Crazy times indeed. Good luck Walt.

Yes it is fun, and all good. I'm not trying to fight with anyone.

And yeah $60k is a lot but we added many options. Base price was about $42,000. Take care of a Sea Ray and it will last forever.
 
Enjoying the playful banter….I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around 60K for a 19 foot SR. That’s a lot of Peso’s! Crazy times indeed. Good luck Walt.
Searay has never been known for reasonable pricing. I mean, a $1000 upgrade for a capt. chair is gouging. Its a $200 seat and its in exchange for another, so really it should be an equal option.

Regardless, since covid and the massive popularity of boats in general, some of the manufacturers have taken advantage of their customers. In 2019 our 190 base price was $33,000. The I/O version was within a few bucks of the OB. The engine upgrade was less than $3000.

We were at about $16,000 in upgrades (the custom trailer alone was $3600). Out the door less taxes we ended up at about $42K. But our dealer was a master Searay dealer since the 1960s.

One last and final comment......
Does everyone know that the 190s are made in Mexico. My last Mercruiser was made there as well.
 
Searay has never been known for reasonable pricing. I mean, a $1000 upgrade for a capt. chair is gouging. Its a $200 seat and its in exchange for another, so really it should be an equal option.

Regardless, since covid and the massive popularity of boats in general, some of the manufacturers have taken advantage of their customers. In 2019 our 190 base price was $33,000. The I/O version was within a few bucks of the OB. The engine upgrade was less than $3000.

We were at about $16,000 in upgrades (the custom trailer alone was $3600). Out the door less taxes we ended up at about $42K. But our dealer was a master Searay dealer since the 1960s.

One last and final comment......
Does everyone know that the 190s are made in Mexico. My last Mercruiser was made there as well.

Mine is being built in a Sea Ray factory just outside my own city. Take taxes away from mine and it was about $55.5k. Not too terrible price-wise compared to yours. With taxes added onto 42K subtotal yours was 10k or less than mine.

Not worried either way. Prices will just keep rising, glad I got in when I did. I'm not saying the extra captain's seat isn't overpriced, but it does change the whole layout of right there. I'd say that's worth more than $250.
 
Today we went to a festival at a downtown harbor. We drove the car due to questionable weather, but there were many boats docked.

As we walked down the dock I noticed a bowrider with towels covering every seat in the boat. It was white upholstery. As luck would have it the owner and his party just came back and was getting ready to leave. I commented about the towels and he said that the seats were too hot to sit on.

Maybe its more about the material than the color.
 

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