Newbie looking at 2005 180 sport

[phroadrick]

Hello everyone. My wife and I are looking at an immaculate 2005 Sea Ray 180 sport that is for sale locally. (SC) Comes with the bimini and trailer, and it appears to have been used in salt water, which is what we would be using it for as well. Not 100% sure, but I think its the 3.0 Mercruiser I/O.

Our use would mostly be in the Intracoastal Waterway with our 3 yr old. We don't fish, or ski, or wakeboard and we don't plan to carry other people with us. If so, it would only be every now and then and would be limited to another couple.

We mostly go out to Bird Island and hang on the beach, although we might start some short cruises on the waterway as well. If you know this area, you know it can get a little rough around the Little River inlet and we are concerned about the ride quality and the boat's ability to handle 2-3 ft seas comfortably.

After reading numerous posts on here, we know we need to have a survey done on the boat, but are wondering if there are any specific issues we need to know about? Think the hours are around 100, and the boat is cosmetically very clean with the bench seat configuration.

The consignment boat lot is asking $11,999. Do we buy this one if the survey checks out or do we say screw it and go buy a new one? Budget is a concern, of course, but we don't want to make the wrong choice and if the consensus is buy a new one, then we'll have to wait.

Thanks for all the advice in advance and sorry for the long post!

 

[ttcola]

aloha..same for me:smt001
looking at a 2003 180 bowrider for 7500...220hrs....looks pretty clean.....not sure about the ocean waves, and have the same q as you......please let me know what you learn and vice-versa..ive got a 7&10 yr old lil gals so its same use as you:smt001
good luck..stay in touch...mahalo!

 

[ZZ13]

I run a 175 Sport (3.0L), which is basically the same as the 180, on the St. Helena and Port Royal Sounds in Beaufort/Hilton Head, SC. Near the ocean, the inlets can get bumpy when the waves are 2-3 feet. In that case I generally run in the low 20 mph range to try to keep the impacts down to not bothersome. I notice them, but it hasn't made me want to get a bigger boat. Many times the sounds are fairly calm, anyway. In summary, if you want a guaranteed smooth ride, get a bigger boat. If you don't mind some steady bumps and/or don't mind picking your days to ride, then the 180 will be just fine.

 

[phroadrick]

Thanks ZZ13. Any issues with your 3.0 or running it in salt water?

 

[ZZ13]

Thanks ZZ13. Any issues with your 3.0 or running it in salt water?

Not yet. Only used it for one year, though. I trailer it and after the outing I flush the engine for 10 minutes with Salt Terminator (or Salt Away, if that is your preference) and also hose the entire boat down inside and out with the same stuff run through a garden hose. Then I wipe everything dry and clean the windshield inside and out with Invisible Glass. That cleanup before I put it into the garage takes about an hour. I also spray the entire engine with anti-corrosion (many brands are available - they all generally work the same) several times a season. And once a season I shoot the same stuff on the terminals under the helm. So far everything looks brand new (except where I wacked the rubrail on a pier once).

I am kind of a freak show down here. Everyone has center console boats with outboards. When they see me pull up with a sterndrive sport boat I get looks and comments.

 

[Noland]

I am kind of a freak show down here. Everyone has center console boats with outboards. When they see me pull up with a sterndrive sport boat I get looks and comments.

Take it as a compliment, I’m sure they’re looks of jealousy….:thumbsup: