New Sea Ray Owner - Info please!

[James Lister]

Hello All,

I've just purchased a 1989 Sea Ray 180 Bowrider with an outboard Johnson 150 VRO. I think the boat's had a hard life and I'd like to restore it to some form of original condition with my own touches.

My first questions are :
What would this boat weigh?
Is the Johnson 150 the original engine?

Thanks in advance!

James

 

[JimG]

Here ya go:
https://owners-resources.searayweb.com/model-archive-files/1C1_27_74DERNKXE563.pdf

Best of luck and welcome to CSR!

 

[James Lister]

Thank you! Looks like a different seating arrangement to what I've got. Here's a photo! Is there a way I can find out more info using the HIN?

 

[JimG]

The HIN will confirm Sea Ray and year built. Post it up.

 

[James Lister]

HIN: SERV3778K889
180BR0B3531

 

[Lazy Daze]

No, I don't believe the Johnson would have been original, but really, it makes no difference now.

Just looking at the pictures, I'm not sure it's really had a "hard" life. Someone obviously put a lot of time and effort into major modifications to make it "their own". And, truthfully, it looks pretty good - especially for a boat that is nearly 35 years old. If the transom and floor are solid... go boating and have fun!

 

[James Lister]

Thank you! What would you say were the major modifications? The seating layout?

Maybe 'hard life' was harsh. Trim is hanging off and it's missing some components. Would it have been carpeted on the deck originally?

 

[JimG]

HIN: SERV3778K889
180BR0B3531

SERV = Tellico Lake manufacturing plant (sport boats)
3778 = serial number
K8 = month built (November I think, but not sure how to decode that)
89 = 1989

 

[sbw1]

Keep in mind that HP of outboards was reported differently back in the day. My son's Boston Whaler came with a 35HP Merc the year we bought it. The same boat a year earlier was 40HP. HP used to be measured at the crank shaft. Then it was measured at the prop later. So you will see different HP ratings for the same engine depending upon its age. I believe change occurred in the 80's.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Thank you! What would you say were the major modifications? The seating layout?

Maybe 'hard life' was harsh. Trim is hanging off and it's missing some components. Would it have been carpeted on the deck originally?

Take a look at the link Jim sent you. Other than the obvious seat changes/re-vinyl and a new steering wheel, it would have had glue-down carpet everywhere. The PO pulled that all up, painted and then laid down some sheet vinyl to make it look nice. Not sure what the "Forester" on the glove box is about, though

 

[James Lister]

Thanks for all your help so far guys! Do we reckon the original engine would have been a Mercury 135 Black Max?

 

[Pirate Lady]

Thanks for all your help so far guys! Do we reckon the original engine would have been a Mercury 135 Black Max?

Would have been a Mercury something.

 

[jmauld]

Thank you! Looks like a different seating arrangement to what I've got. Here's a photo! Is there a way I can find out more info using the HIN?

I think I would swap that steering wheel for an all black one, clean up the rest of what's there and call it a day. Not a bad looking ride!

 

[James Lister]

I think I would swap that steering wheel for an all black one, clean up the rest of what's there and call it a day. Not a bad looking ride!

Yeah, that wheel is first to go .

Thanks for all your help guys. I'll post the progress!

 

[Pirate Lady]

Nice boat.

 

[James Lister]

Any ideas where I can find a compass to replace the missing one? UK based. Brand names/models for original or replacement would be helpful. Also the glove box.

Thanks

James

 

[techmitch]

Any ideas where I can find a compass to replace the missing one? UK based. Brand names/models for original or replacement would be helpful. Also the glove box.

Thanks

James

Original was probably a Ritchie.
https://www.ritchienavigation.com/s...pD26vhOuSIVmSGxkmVRlAj78JGWPHlbhoCP5gQAvD_BwE

"E.S. Ritchie & Sons, Inc. was formed in 1850 by Edward Samuel Ritchie. Today still privately held by the Sherman Family in Pembroke, MA, Ritchie Navigation continues to be the Marine Industry leader in the manufacture of recreational and commercial magnetic compasses.

Ritchie products are available to Retailers in 57 countries through 142 Distributors.

OEM (original equipment manufactured) Ritchie Parts and Service are available from Ritchie Navigation headquarters and 76 Authorized Service Stations world-wide."

Many other places to buy them online also.

 

[Lazy Daze]

In your model, would the compass have been mounted in a vertical section of a dash panel? Do you actually WANT it put it back in there... keeping in mind that it's likely to be not very accurate (and most people don't know how to adjust it). You could put something else in that spot - or even just put a new panel piece in there that is solid. Or, just look for any old compass that will fit - "panel mount".

For the glovebox... are you referring to just the black plexi piece? Remove the Forester and clean/buff... possibly just turn it around. Black plexi isn't hard to source if you want a new piece.

 

[James Lister]

Good point, thank you! I'd like to put the compass back where it was originally, but I'll have a look for where an additional/alternative could go. Re the 'glove box', I think I got it wrong. Agreed, I'll remove the Forester logo from there. I meant the part to the left of the wheel. Would have been a place for a radio with a front cover?

 

[Searay Roy]

Here ya go:
https://owners-resources.searayweb.com/model-archive-files/1C1_27_74DERNKXE563.pdf

Best of luck and welcome to CSR!

Good morning Jim do you have this for the same model but with an In board.