Unofficial Classic 1970’s vintage SRV180 thread

El Capitan

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2014
3,828
Chicago IL./Vero Beach, Fl
Boat Info
1970 SRV 180 w 2.5L Mercruiser.
2000 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer
Engines
120HP Mercruiser
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Well... someone had to do it. She’s not a 340 but I’m damn proud of her. She gets a lot of looks at the ramp. She’s 95% original.
 
She's a beut! I have a 1974 SRV180 with the mercruiser 140 not near as good looking as yours though.
 
Nice/ Looks a lot like my SRV190
 
I just got this a couple of weeks ago from the original owner. It came with a catalog from 1970 but not the owner's manual. Any suggestions where I might find one?
SRV 180 120 HP Mercruiser 1970
 

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Just picked up a 1973 SRV 180. Well, rather, a friend did for me, as I haven't even seen the boat in person yet, and it is 2400 miles away from me.

I grew up boating at my grandparents' place on Green Lake, WI, and had previously owned a 1957 Thompson Deluxe Sea Coaster wooden boat when I lived in the Madison, WI are. Happy to have come across this gem, which was being sold by the original owner of 47 years.

She looks to be in great shape overall, with a 1988 Merc 115, and was just trailered to the Madison area this morning. I'm hoping to pick it up, do some work on the trailer (new tires and bearings), and bring it out to Sonoma County, CA within the next few weeks.
 

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I just bought a 1970 srv 180 I’m so glad to see there’s other people out here who love this style boat too! And El Capitan yours looks immaculate!
 
Nice! They are such great, classic boats.

I finally had the chance to scoot back to the Midwest to pick mine up, use it, and trailer it ≈2200 miles home. Needs a little bit of fuel system cleanup (five year old gas will do that), but I am very happy with my sight-unseen purchase.

Green Lake, WI:
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Prior to the journey, I bought three new trailer tires, checked the bearings (which were fine), and the lights. I did lose the trailer lighting descending the rough Donner Pass, at night, but I had a set of emergency trailer lights that magnetically stuck to the frame.
 
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Glad to see your trip went well. Back in 1979 I towed a 17 foot sailboat across the country (NYC to San Francsico) It can be pretty scary. Been over Donner pass too. That looks a lot like the Bonneville Salt Flats or maybe the Great Salt Lake? is that Antelope Island (also know as Buffalo Island because there is a herd of buffalo on it) in the back ground to the right?
 
You are certainly correct, trailering is much more stressful than driving unhitched. I've had plenty of experience towing, but that was a little nerve-racking, not "knowing" the trailer very well.

Yes, it is Bonneville. I thought about driving out onto the salt, but since the day consisted of 1200 miles solo, I felt that continuing to head west on 80 was a better use of my time.
 
Smart Move. The surface temp on the flats (not the air temp) can get well over 100F. Really hard on tires. I was stationed in Salt Lake City for two years (don't ask!) So I got to know the area fairly well.
 
Ah, good point. It was not very hot that day (upper 80s), but still, nothing good, other than a cool photo, would have come of it.
 
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Ill throw one in here for the 70’s. 1978 185srv closed bow 165.
 
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Its rough. The seats have been upholstered but do not match at all and the seats are completely wrong and hideous. Her and i will be reupholstering it this winter in a nice classic red.
 

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